Low testosterone (manic hypogonadism) is a condition where the testes (male reproductive glands) don’t produce adequate testosterone (a male sex hormone responsible for regulating sex drive, muscle mass, energy levels etc). In men, testosterone also helps to develop and maintain: Muscle mass, sexual performance and strength. In females, testosterone is necessary for the development of the egg cell male sex drive. Recent studies have shown that the majority of the symptoms men experience with this condition are due to external causes, rather than deficiencies in their bodies.
Symptoms of reduced levels of testosterone may include: A decrease in libido and erections, depression, irritability, hot flushes, acne, and increased fat levels in the abdomen. There is some evidence to suggest that low testosterone levels may also contribute to the development of obesity. One of the effects of reduced levels of testosterone is that it can cause hypogonadism. This means that the testes are producing little or no testosterone leading to a lack of energy and abnormally low levels of fatigue.
The condition of hypogonadism can be determined using a skin biopsy, blood panel and an endocrine analysis. Blood testing allows researchers to measure hormone levels in a sample and see how it affects the body. Endocrine testing measures the levels of androgen, which is the main male sex hormones; and testosterone. Testosterone may be affected by low testosterone levels, as evidenced by symptoms like decreased sex drive, muscle mass, decreased bone density and mood disorders and may require a visit to a low testosterone clinic for treatment.
Hypogonadism can be caused by many things. Infection, disease, certain medications, radiation and chemotherapy can all lower testosterone levels. For some men with low testosterone levels, certain medications can be helpful. Minoxidil is the first FDA approved drug for low testosterone levels. It helps increase energy, mood and sex drive allowing men with this problem to have normal sexual relationships.
Other possible causes include certain diseases or treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. These can also have symptoms like low testosterone, low sex drive and erectile dysfunction. Certain diseases and conditions affect the body’s ability to produce testosterone such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and hypothyroidism. These conditions can lead to low testosterone production. Another cause of hypogonadism is certain medications including antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and anti-depressants.
In order for treatment to be successful, it should treat the underlying cause of the problem. Treatments like testosterone helps improve muscle mass, heightens bone mass and increases energy giving the body a more youthful appearance. This in turn will boost your confidence levels. However, if your treatment doesn’t fix the root problem you may find yourself dissatisfied at best and angry and frustrated at worse. Bottom line, any doctor worth his salt will treat your condition objectively. If your doctor does not suspect that low testosterone may be the culprit then you should be able to get the results you want without having to worry about being dissatisfied.
Low testosterone can really make it hard to have or maintain erections. This often happens because of age, health conditions, medication, or even the abuse of prescription medications. Fortunately, there are things you can do to reverse and correct this problem.
There are many things that contribute to why normal testosterone levels vary. One contributing factor is illness. If low testosterone levels are a problem for a man who otherwise has normal levels, the same thing could be said for women. Usually if low levels of this hormone are present, a man will not be able to have an erection easily.
Some common signs of low testosterone are impotence, lack of interest in sex, fatigue, irritability, depression, and lowered sperm count. In many cases, these symptoms will only manifest themselves if other symptoms exist such as high blood pressure, cardiac issues, or diabetes. You should also know that some negative side effects of low testosterone level are edema, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, muscle loss, brittle hair, reduced sperm count, and decreased libido. It’s important to consult your doctor if you think you have any of these symptoms.
A lot of men suffer from low testosterone levels because of their diet. This is something that you can change by eating plenty of foods that are rich in protein and iron. Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues. Iron helps with the absorption of other nutrients, especially those that are fat soluble. Lean meats, chicken, fish, and beans are excellent sources of protein and iron. You’ll also find that drinking lots of water helps to replenish your body with nutrients.
There are a lot of different things that can lead to low testosterone production, so it’s important to be aware of everything that could happen to your body. If you feel that something isn’t quite right, you should definitely consult a doctor or medical professional about it. Certain medications can affect testosterone levels and affect your fertility. Certain medications can increase your cholesterol levels and that can also negatively affect your testosterone production and your fertility. You should avoid taking prescription medications that can affect your testosterone, and you should also avoid any other medications that can increase the testosterone levels in your body.
As a side note, there is one condition that is related to low testosterone that many people don’t recognize and it’s called cryptorchidism. It’s when testicles are present on the underside of the tail. If you do suspect that you have this condition, you should see your family physician. You can get the correct diagnosis for your male hypogonadism fairly easily. The doctor will take a look at your testicles and determine if they are normal or not. If they are not normal, you may need to undergo surgery to correct it.