Male testosterone levels drop for many reasons, but one of the most common reasons is age. Though men don’t go through a transition like menopause, their hormone levels typically decline with age.
On average, testosterone production begins to drop after the age of 30 and will continue to decline with age. Usually, testosterone levels go down by an average of 1% every year.
Another cause of low testosterone is Hypogonadism. Hypogonadism causes the male testes to produce too little testosterone due to a physical problem that’s not related to age alone.
Hypogonadism is caused by health problems including but not limited to:
- Illness during adolescence or adulthood
- Excessive iron in your blood
- Testicle injury
- Pituitary gland disorder
- Inflammatory disease
- Kidney failure
- Liver cirrhosis
- Obesity or extreme weight loss
A higher risk of developing hypogonadism may also be related to untreated sleep apnea or a family history of low testosterone.
Symptoms of low testosterone.
When adult men have low testosterone, they develop symptoms such as:
Change in sexual function
You may have a low sex drive or fewer spontaneous erections.
Emotional and cognitive changes
Men are susceptible to depression, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating when testosterone is low.
Reduced muscle mass and physical performance.
Low testosterone may cause:
- Anemia
- Weight gain
- Loss of muscle mass and strength
- Loss of bone density
- Thinning of beard and body hair
- Development of breast tissue
Hypogonadism in young boys may also delay puberty or affect their physical development. Their voice may not deepen as quickly, body hair may not appear, and muscle mass may not increase as readily.
What is testosterone replacement therapy?
Treatment depends on the cause of the low testosterone levels. When the problem is a natural age-related decline or testicular failure, Families First Health can provide testosterone replacement therapy to balance normal testosterone levels.
Testosterone replacement often reverses myriad symptoms. Muscle strength is increased, osteoporosis is reduced, and sex drive and erectile function are positively affected.
If your sex drive isn’t what it used to be, or you suffer from erectile dysfunction or a loss of muscle mass, call Families First Health to book a consultation.