From 30-35 years, testosterone levels in men decrease by 1-3% annually.
Low testosterone is not only due to genetic causes but is also influenced by diet and physical activity.
Symptoms of low testosterone are mood swings, hair loss, and early muscle fatigue, among others. Current medicine has given the name andropause to this period. A process is equivalent to menopause in women. (1)
This article looks at the symptoms and causes of low testosterone in men and what to do.
Low testosterone symptoms in men
When a man has low testosterone, he experiences symptoms: low libido, lower semen volume, even hair loss, and mood swings. In exceptional cases, doctors must prescribe medications to alleviate these symptoms. The symptoms of low testosterone are:
The lower the semen volume greater the production of the male sex hormone, the more semen a man makes. When you have low testosterone, the period between one ejaculation and another does not change, but the amount and volume of semen do. (4)
- Erection problems
A healthy man should have erections in the morning at least 3-to four times a week. This does not happen as one of the first symptoms when low testosterone occurs in the body.
- Hair loss
Low testosterone and baldness are two closely related processes. When testosterone drops, the hair follicles are altered until they fall.
- Mood swings
Low testosterone is accompanied by changes in the levels of other hormones. For example, the hormone serotonin can fluctuate your levels irregularly. For this reason, men with low testosterone tend to have a more significant problem with attention, as well as they tend to go from a state of euphoria to total calm in a matter of minutes.
- Memory problems
One of the symptoms of low testosterone is memory problems. An investigation by the American Medical Association has proven that memory is one of the most affected factors. This is a cause of changes in brain function. (3)
- Fatigue and less muscle development
I felt constant tiredness and more incredible difficulty when training is one of the most common symptoms of low testosterone. The advisable thing in these cases is to respect the rest days and complement with muscle recovery methods.
- Anemia
It has been proven that having a low testosterone level can directly influence the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. In one study, a lower amount of hemoglobin was detected in men with low testosterone than in men who had average values. (5)
Causes of low testosterone
Stress and anxiety are two leading causes of low testosterone. This is because when there is stress, there is an increase in the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This hormone acts oppositely to melatonin and indirectly affects testosterone.
In addition, foods with magnesium and zinc are essential to regulate their synthesis. A lack of foods with these minerals is a cause of low testosterone that can be easily attacked.
Lack of vitamin D is another cause of low testosterone. Vitamin D is not only a vitamin but also a hormone, and it is closely related to testosterone. Taking 15 minutes of sun every day could help you solve this problem.
The use of anabolic steroids or other medications capable of rapidly increasing testosterone can cause long-term low testosterone. These should be used only by men with chronic and common genetic testosterone problems, always under the authorization of a doctor.
Treatments for men with low testosterone
To avoid low testosterone in men, you should sleep well and supplement an adequate diet. Including foods with magnesium and zinc is essential to regulate their synthesis.
Regarding maca, Tribulus Terrestris, and other natural supplements, no studies have been able to confirm their effects as capable of increasing testosterone. However, they can promote the quantity and quality of semen.
Insomnia, light sleep, and other disorders of sleep are one of the symptoms of low testosterone. Respecting the number of hours of sleep and changing your sleeping posture can help regulate this process.
However, a specialized physician must determine treatments for men with low testosterone. The causes can be diverse, and the treatments must be specific to each man.
Antiandrogens – Medications that lower testosterone
Anti-androgens are drugs capable of lowering testosterone. People who are born male naturally have a higher concentration of androgens.
Antiandrogens are used in conjunction with other medications for cancer treatment to reduce the effects of masculinization in transgender people and after certain types of operations.
The basis of antiandrogens’ work is binding protein receptors called androgen receptors. By binding, they block the effects of testosterone. Ultimately they are drugs capable of lowering free testosterone levels in the blood.
ABSTRACT
Low testosterone is a natural phenomenon that has occurred over the years.
An excessive drop in testosterone concentration can be due to nutritional or behavioral causes: poor diet and stress.
Ensuring a sufficient quantity of foods with magnesium, vitamin D, and zinc and supplementing with physical exercise are simple measures to avoid low testosterone.
In chronic cases, treatments must be carried out under a doctor’s authorization.
