Low Testosterone (low T) or Male Hypogonadism is a common problem among men. It happens when the body does not produce sufficient Testosterone.
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone that helps men produce sperm.
It is also responsible for developing male characteristics like facial hair, muscle strength, and a deeper voice during puberty.
It can be distressing to have low T as it can affect all aspects of your health, including physical, mental, and sexual.
Low T can cause Erectile Dysfunction, Depression, sleep issues, low sex drive, and more.
This article will discuss all you need to know about Male Hypogonadism or low T, including symptoms, causes, and treatments.
What is Low Testosterone or Male Hypogonadism
Testosterone is the primary male hormone responsible for developing male sex characteristics.
It plays a crucial role in primary sexual development, including enlargement of the penis and testes, testicular descent, sperm production, and increasing libido.
It can be distressing to have low T as it can affect your mood, sleep, sex drive, size of testicles, etc.
The American Urological Association identifies low T as less than 300 nanograms of the hormone per deciliter (ng/dL).
Though Testosterone is crucial for the male body to function efficiently, it starts to decline each year after age 30.
For this reason, there is a higher prevalence of about 19 to 39 percent in older males.
If you suspect low T, consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.
They often diagnose low T based on a total Testosterone level blood test, a Luteinizing hormone (LH) blood test, or a Prolactin blood test.
What Causes Low Testosterone
Source: RyanKing999There are two types of Male Hypogonadism: Primary and Secondary. Primary Hypogonadism happens due to the under activity of the testicles.
Secondary Hypogonadism can occur because of damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland in the brain.
The causes of low T or Male Hypogonadism are different for different Primary and Secondary Hypogonadism.
In Primary Male Hypogonadism, the testicles are unable to produce sufficient Testosterone. Its causes may include:
- Hemochromatosis is a condition in which there is extra iron buildup in the body.
- Absence of testicles at birth (Anorchia) or undescended testicles
- Klinefelter’s syndrome can decrease the size of testicles by inhibiting testicular growth.
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy to your testicles
- Mumps infection or injury can also cause damage to the testicles
Inherited diseases or acquired circumstances that can cause Secondary Male Hypogonadism are:
- Pituitary disorders can affect the functioning of the pituitary gland to cause low T.
- Kallmann syndrome can affect testicular growth.
- Inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and histiocytosis negatively affect the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
- Individuals who have HIV or AIDS generally have low T.
- Obesity
- Aging
- Medications you take
- Severe stress can also affect hormonal balance.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Source: RyanKing999Symptoms of low T or Male Hypogonadism can include:
- Loss of sex drive
- Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
- decreased volume of ejaculate
- loss of body and facial hair
- decreased bone density
- decreased lean body mass
- increased body fat
- fatigue
- increased Anxiety
- Excessive sweating
- Anemia
- Depression
You should remember that it is not necessary to face any or all of these symptoms to have low T.
Consulting a healthcare provider to receive a proper diagnosis is important before you seek treatment.
Treatment for Low Testosterone
A Medical professional diagnoses a person with low T if the Testosterone levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter.
They assess your Testosterone levels based on a total Testosterone level blood test, a Luteinizing hormone (LH) blood test, or a Prolactin blood test.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is a viable treatment for low Testosterone.
TRT is available in various forms, including skin gels, nasal gels, oral pills, patches, and injections.
Doctors often recommend oral pills or skin gels like Cernos.
It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to see a noticeable improvement in low T.
But, there can be certain side effects of using TRT, which include
- Acne
- Higher risk of heart disease
- Disturbed breathing while sleeping
- Breast swelling or tenderness, or
- Swelling in the ankles
- Smaller testicles
For most men, the benefits of TRT outweigh the risks, and for this reason, your doctor may suggest TRT.
Conclusion
Male Hypogonadism or low Testosterone is a common health issue among men. It becomes more prevalent with age due to naturally declining Testosterone levels.
Low T can severely affect your life by causing sleep issues, smaller testicles, stress, low libido, and more.
Low T can result from various health conditions which affect testicular growth or cause under activity of testicles. Damage to the testicle by accident can also result in low T.
Low T may also occur when there is damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. These parts of the brain control the production of Testosterone.
Common symptoms like low libido, ED, fatigue, loss of body and facial hair, etc, can help you identify low T.
It is important to receive a proper diagnosis for low T before you seek treatment. Treatment generally involves Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT).
TRT may involve using oral pills or skin gels like Cernos to increase Testosterone.
Talk to your healthcare provider about potential benefits and risks before receiving TRT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can low Testosterone affect fertility?
Yes, low Testosterone levels can impact fertility by reducing sperm production. Consulting a doctor can help address fertility concerns as well as low T.
Is low Testosterone only an issue in older men?
No, while Testosterone levels naturally decrease with age, low T can affect men of all ages. This may be due to various medical conditions or other circumstances.
Are lifestyle changes alone sufficient to treat low Testosterone?
In some cases, lifestyle changes like exercise and a healthy diet can help raise Testosterone levels. But, medical intervention might be necessary in case of severely low T.
Are there any risks associated with Testosterone replacement therapy?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy can have potential risks. These risks may include an increased risk of heart disease, smaller testicles, acne, etc.
It’s important to discuss the benefits and risks with a healthcare provider.
How often should I get my Testosterone levels checked?
Regular check-ups are essential, especially if you’re experiencing low T symptoms. Your doctor can determine the appropriate frequency based on your health status.
Cheap Medicine Shop only refers to credible, authoritative sources for our content. If you’re curious about how we ensure the integrity of our content, we encourage you to read our Content Information Policy.
