1. Low sex drive
by Admin
Posted on 29-03-2023 04:41 PM
While medications, relationship struggles, and illness can all make you lose interest in
sex
, a lagging libido is one of the most common symptoms of low t.
A drastic drop in testosterone can quickly turn your sex drive into a sex putter. “study after study indicates that decreased libido is the symptom that is most indicative of testosterone deficiency,” says calvert. “this is also an area where most men notice an improvement when they get on treatment. ”other signs that your testosterone is low— gaining weight , losing hair, and a lack of energy can also make your interest in sex decline.
Testosterone is the major sex hormone in males and plays a number of important roles, such as: the development of the penis and testes the deepening of the voice during puberty the appearance of facial and pubic hair starting at puberty; later in life, it may play a role in balding muscle size and strength sex drive (libido) sperm production adolescent boys with too little testosterone may not experience normal masculinization. For example, the genitals may not enlarge, facial and body hair may be scant and the voice may not deepen normally. Testosterone may also help maintain normal mood. There may be other important functions of this hormone that have not yet been discovered.
2. Difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection
Testosterone aids in achieving and maintaining an erection. It tells brain receptors to produce nitric oxide, which is a molecule that helps trigger a series of chemical reactions necessary for an erection to occur. When testosterone levels are too low, you may have difficulty achieving an erection before sex or having spontaneous erections, such as during sleep.
However, research is inconclusive on whether testosterone replacement therapy can successfully treat erectile dysfunction. In a 2016 review of studies that looked at the benefit of testosterone in men with erection difficulties,
showed no improvement with testosterone treatment. Other health conditions can often cause erectile difficulties.
Occasional difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection is also normal, but if it happens frequently, this is considered erectile dysfunction. Testosterone stimulates the production of nitric oxide in penile tissue, which makes erections possible. So the lower your levels, the less likely you’ll be to get or keep an erection.
6. Decreased muscle mass
Low sex drive: while a decline in sex drive is typical as we age, people with low testosterone are more likely to experience a drop in libido. Hot flashes: this symptom can range from a sudden sensation of warmth to heavy sweating, flushing or night sweats. Decreased muscle mass: since testosterone is key to building muscle, low levels may affect muscle mass, but not necessarily strength or function. Breast enlargement: if there is an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen, a person may develop gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue). Hair loss: low testosterone can cause loss or thinning of body hair, especially in the armpit, chest, back or pubic areas.
The clinical symptoms of hypogonadism are non-specific, making diagnosis challenging in adolescents and young men. Given the numerous pathways within the hpga and the slow changes to the hormonal levels, the signs and symptoms suggestive of androgen deficiency take time to clinically manifest. The signs and symptoms of low androgen levels include reduced sexual desire and activity, erectile dysfunction, decreased spontaneous erections, incomplete or delayed sexual development, small testes, gynecomastia, loss of body hair/reduced shaving, subfertility, and reduced bone mass. Less specific symptoms and signs are decreased energy and motivation, reduced physical performance, depressed mood, poor concentration and memory, sleep disturbances, anemia, reduced muscle mass, and increased body fat ( 8 ).
In addition to losing muscle mass, you may find your body composition changing and your fat level increasing. Research shows that obesity reduces testosterone, and that waist size is a strong predictor of low testosterone. This may further compound the problem, with low testosterone contributing to an increase in your body fat levels and increased fat affecting your testosterone production. Increased fat from low testosterone levels may have other negative effects on your health. For example, low testosterone levels are also associated with high lipid levels, high blood pressure and other issues that may increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Low testosterone levels can happen gradually over time or they can happen suddenly. The most common symptom of low testosterone is a decrease in libido, but other symptoms may include: fatigue, depression, irritability, decreased muscle mass and strength, increased body fat, osteoporosis, and decreased bone density.