Testosterone is probably one of the most important male hormones. Often referred to as the T hormone, it is responsible for male development and sexual function. Testosterone is produced in the testicles and is crucial in the growth of distinct male features including muscle growth, bone density, and even sperm production.
Men will produce testosterone for the entire duration of their lives. However, the amount produced will vary depending on many factors. Age is, however, the most critical determinant of testosterone production. Testosterone levels tend to peak during early adulthood, roughly between the ages of 13 and 30.
However, as men get older, testosterone production will start to decline. It is estimated that men above the age of 30 years will lose 1% of their testosterone each year. In addition to age, chronic medical conditions like diabetes may affect how your body produces testosterone. Obese men may be at a higher risk of low testosterone as well.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Several signs may indicate your body is running low on testosterone. Keep in mind that these are just signs. To be fully sure your testosterone levels are down, you may need to get tests from a professional urologist or any authorized medical practitioner. Nonetheless, if you experience any or most of the symptoms below, be sure to talk to your doctor.
· Low Sex Drive
One of the clearest signs of low testosterone levels is a visible decline in libido or sex drive. It is important to note that low sex drives may be caused by other things including depression and stress. But in case you are in a happy relationship and free of any stress, your low libido may be linked to declining testosterone levels.
· Unusual Levels of Fatigue
Testosterone is a critical hormone in maintaining higher energy levels in men. If there is a decline in its production, you may likely start to feel unusually fatigued than normal. But just like low sex drive, there may be other factors contributing to your fatigue too. It is therefore advisable to seek medical advice to determine whether falling testosterone is to blame here.
· Hair Loss
Hair loss or balding is generally associated with aging but may also indicate that testosterone in the body is falling. Traditionally, men will start to lose hair on their head well into their thirties. But it’s not uncommon to see younger and healthy young adults loose hair too. In such cases, other factors, other than low testosterone, may be at play. But for men in their thirties, hair loss could suggest that testosterone levels are on the decline.
· Difficulty to Get and Sustain Erections
Testosterone plays a huge role in overall sexual function. Men with low testosterone levels are therefore more likely to experience some form of erectile dysfunction or problems. Failure to get and sustain an erection may also be related to low sex drive.
· Increased Body Fat
As we have already alluded above, testosterone is responsible for the formation of muscle mass among men. You may have noticed that as men age, they tend to lose that toned muscle appearance they used to have when they were younger.
This is more often than not linked to drops in testosterone levels. If you are experiencing a sudden increase in body fat despite maintaining a decent enough diet and exercise routine, your testosterone may be falling. Pay attention to bone density as well. Low levels of testosterone have also been linked to a drop in bone density.
· Low Semen Volume
Declining levels of testosterone may also cause a sharp decline in the volume of semen released during sexual intercourse or masturbation. You may also want to pay attention to the size of your testicles. In males with declining testosterone levels, the size of the testicles may reduce significantly.
What to Do With Low Testosterone Levels
The decline in testosterone levels is a natural process and you should embrace it. However, there are certain things you can do to help maintain healthy testosterone levels even as you age. First, try and eat testosterone boosting foods like oysters, tuna, beans, and others. You may try out several supplements too. Supplements like RestimDM can help you boost testosterone levels.