Have you been noticing that you’re losing muscle mass, feeling weaker, more tired, and your sex drive has decreased? Don’t worry because you are not alone. Many aging men notice a lot of changes in their body other than the usual graying hair or more and more wrinkles. This is due to decreased levels of testosterone. It is possible that this too affects you. Find out if you are experiencing low testosterone symptoms by checking our list below.
Testosterone is a hormone that is important in the male body. During puberty, the hormone helps men develop muscles, deepens his voice, as well as enlarges the penis and testes. During adulthood, it helps increase muscle mass, sex drive, and keeps bones strong. Testosterone is important because adequate levels can help keep your bones strong and will reduce the risk of muscle loss.
After the age of 30, testosterone levels will slowly decline. This decreases one’s sex drive sometimes and most men mistakenly believe that their loss of interest in sex is due to aging. Some people lose their sex drive completely in their 20s-40s even though their testosterone levels are just merely declining. This erectile dysfunction is more likely due to a medical condition.
Low testosterone happens when at least one part of the hypothalamus pituitary gonadal axis fails. Often, conditions and diseases that affect this organ is hereditary and cannot be prevented.
Often, when individuals experience symptoms, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what is causing it because symptoms of one condition often mimic symptoms of something else. In order to truly find out if you are experiencing low testosterone symptoms is to get a blood test.
There can be a shortage of testosterone in all stages of life and even prior to birth. If there is inadequate testosterone while the fetus is in the womb, genital development may be stunted. For males, this means poor development of the genital area. It may even resemble female genitalia or looks ambiguous – neither looking like male or female.
If low testosterone happens before puberty, there may not be sexual maturation. This can include symptoms such as inability to gain muscle mass, voice not deepening, little body hair growth, and failure of the penis and testes to enlarge.
In adulthood, low amounts of this hormone can lead to decreased desire for sex, infertility in women, and erectile dysfunction. Other symptoms can include hot flashes, decreased libido, irritability, and difficulties sleeping.
Low Testosterone Symptoms in Women
You might not have known that low testosterone levels can occur in females as well. Testosterone is found in female bodies at a much lower level. Symptoms can include hot flashes, loss of sex drive, irritability, and sleep disturbances. Like men, low of body hair, muscle mass, and bone density may occur.
Diagnoses of low testosterone levels often depend on your age. Parents of younger children may take their child to see a pediatric doctor to perform tests on an underdeveloped child.
Feeling constantly tired, weak, and little to none sex drive can surely affect your day-to-day life and relationship with your significant other. Now that you know whether or not you are experiencing low testosterone symptoms, you will be able to treat the issue earlier. Soon, you will be able to feel stronger, have a higher sex drive, and have more energy like you deserve.