Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. Men typically reach their peak testosterone levels in early adulthood. Thereafter, testosterone level starts decreasing at approximately 1% each year. Testosterone not only affects sexual function, but it’s also responsible for building muscle and bone mass. Furthermore, it influences red blood cell production, bone density, and fat distribution.
Although testosterone levels don’t directly cause infertility, they can change the rate of sperm production or affect the ability to achieve an erection. For as many as half of all couples unable to conceive, it is the result of male infertility due to sperm production or erection problems.
Symptoms of Low-T
Not all men with low testosterone know they have it, so here are the signs of Low-T:
● Bodily Changes. Noticeable changes in the body include the reduction of testicle size, which could affect sperm production. Low-T can also cause hair loss, and reduced bone mass, which may cause the bones to be more brittle, leading to fractures. Low levels of testosterone increases body fat and reduces muscle mass. Men with low-T have also found their breast tissue to become more tender or to swell. These changes in the body may make a man appear less masculine than they could if they didn’t have a deficiency of testosterone.
● Functional Problems. Since testosterone influences a person’s strength due to its control of lean mass and muscle size, a man with low testosterone may become easily fatigued. Couple that with an increase in body fat, and it gets harder to be limber. Men with low testosterone may experience hot flashes, too. Low levels of the hormone can cause erectile dysfunction and low libido. Low-T also causes insomnia and, in some cases, sleep apnea, which means your breathing stops and starts repeatedly while you’re asleep. Furthermore, low testosterone can increase the likelihood of having anemia, which can cause dizziness, an increased pulse rate, and leg cramping.
● Cognitive Impairment. Hormonal imbalance also influences your mood, so not having the right amount of testosterone can lead to polarizing emotions or mood swings. Low testosterone can cause memory loss, the inability to concentrate, and irritability. This common hormone deficiency is often associated with high levels of depression or great feelings of sadness, which may be attributed to the physical and functional changes.
Urologist in Phoenix, Arizona
If you’re experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, don’t hesitate to contact us now. Don’t spend another night lying awake in bed with your partner, thinking about what went wrong. Call (480) 961-2323 to get your hormone levels checked by Dr. Desiderio Avila Jr. at Ironwood Urology in Phoenix or you can request an appointment now.
