Falling short on the natural hormone testosterone is no laughing matter. As men naturally have much higher levels of it than women, they bear the bigger brunt of low testosterone production in the body. If you’re a male, here’s a glance at how poor testosterone can put your health at risk – and cause mild to serious symptoms and conditions, according to Healthline.
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Increased body fat, reduced muscle, and other physical changes – There’s a wealth of physical changes that can manifest the body with low levels of the hormone, which is responsible for increasing muscle mass, body hair growth, and a general masculine appearance. Now when there’s decreased production, you will likely suffer heightened body fat accumulation, decreased muscle mass and strength, fragile bones, greater fatigue, and affected cholesterol metabolism.
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Poor sexual function – Low testosterone will inevitably affect your libido and sexual performance. Symptoms included here are reduced sexual desire; fewer erections that occur simultaneously, such as while you sleep; and infertility. While insufficient testosterone levels do not normally cause erectile dysfunction, this problem is a growing scourge that is best first tackled using natural techniques such as herbal supplementation.
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Fatigue and lack of energy – Men with low T have reported extreme fatigue levels along with a notable decrease in their energy levels. The signs are rather clear: you are tired all the time despite getting enough sleep, or you find it rather hard to get or stay motivated to do strenuous activities such as exercising or hitting the gym.
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Depression and other emotional changes – Low T impacts not just the physical body, but also your emotional state of being. You may experience feelings of sadness, depression, poor motivation and a reduced sense of well-being, as well as have trouble memorizing or concentrating on tasks. This is because testosterone is a hormone affecting emotional regulation – depression, for example, has been found in studies to be linked to low testosterone status. The condition is believed to stem from combined irritability, reduced libido, and fatigue rooted in low testosterone.
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Disrupted sleep – Poor testosterone causes not just lower energy, but also insomnia and other disturbances in your sleep patterns. In addition, body changes that occur due to sleep apnea can also led to low testosterone. The association remains unclear, but this health risk has been shown in recent studies.
While these health risks may be a result of a lowered testosterone level, take note that they may also be normal side effects of aging. They may also be due to a thyroid condition, testicular injury, diabetes, medication or alcohol use, infections like HIV, pituitary gland issues and genetic disorders, so make sure to get properly tested by your doctor for your current T levels.
In addressing the situation, it is best to explore natural methods first, such as supplementing with the highest-quality testosterone-promoting herbs and ingredients around. Check your levels, discuss the best options with your physician, and follow a healthful, T-promoting lifestyle to improve your numbers and these wellness pitfalls.