Testosterone comes to mind when talking about men. It is the male sex hormone produced in the testicles. But of course, it’s important to note that testosterone is also important for females. A quarter is produced in the ovary, another quarter in the adrenal gland, and one-half in the peripheral tissues from various precursors produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands.
This hormone plays an essential role in the normal body function of both men and women. The most well-known aspects of testosterone include regulating their sex drive or libido, bone mass, muscle mass, fat distribution, and strength.
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about low testosterone.
Low Testosterone
In Men
Low testosterone or hypogonadism is when the sex glands produce little to no sex hormones. It’s also called testosterone deficiency syndrome (TD) or Low-T. This results in low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and reduced bone mass. Possible causes for these symptoms vary depending on one’s specific lifestyle and health condition.
In Women
When women have insufficient testosterone levels, it tends to have severe effects on their bodies as well. A well-balanced and healthy body should produce the right amount of testosterone to maintain certain body functions. If a woman has Low-T, it results in them experiencing low sex drive, weight gain, and changes in their mood.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Each person will experience this condition differently. There are also two categories that symptoms can fall under—specific and nonspecific. Specific symptoms are tell-tale signs that someone has a testosterone deficiency. Meanwhile, nonspecific symptoms can be pretty vague and difficult to link directly to Low-T.
Specific Symptoms
The following are symptoms in men are directly linked to TD:
- reduced sex drive
- reduced erectile function
- loss of body hair
- less beard growth
- loss of lean muscle mass
- feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
- obesity (being overweight)
- symptoms of depression
- fertility issues
Additionally, Low-T can cause one or more of the following symptoms in women:
- decreased sexual satisfaction
- irregular menstrual cycles
- vaginal dryness
- loss of bone density
Non-Specific Symptoms
The following are symptoms that may or may not be immediate signs of Low-T. These do not necessarily mean that one might have TD, but a mix of the symptoms over a long period should be a cause for a checkup.
- lower energy level, endurance, and physical strength
- poor memory
- difficulty with finding words to say
- poor focus
- not doing well at work
Causes of Low Testosterone
In Men
There are many possible causes for TD. For some, it is caused by a condition they’ve had since birth. A few examples are: Klinefelter syndrome, Noonan syndrome, and ambiguous genitalia. Others develop this condition because of accidents or damage to the testicles.
Other causes are the following:
- Removal of testicles because of cancer
- Chemotherapy or radiation
- Pituitary gland disease leading to hormone deficiency
- Infection
- Autoimmune disease
- Aging
- Obesity
- Medications like: antidepressants, narcotic pain meds, and more
In Women
For women, testosterone is already produced at low rates, but the absence of insufficiency of it can only be caused by two main things: menopause and aging. Beyond that, other causes are indicative of something more serious underneath.
The Bottom Line
Men sometimes use testosterone levels to determine their strength and overall manliness. Of course, logically speaking, testosterone levels have nothing to do with one’s masculinity.
However, because it affects regular body function and determines how strong or weak a person might be, it’s understandable that men might associate testosterone with their abilities and worth as a man. It’s important to discuss low testosterone to help both men and women understand what is happening to their bodies when they go through low testosterone.
If you are looking for testosterone treatment in Tampa, Fl, we can help you. At Infinity Medical Institute we provide natural hormone replacement treatment plans for men and women that use only bio-natural hormones, which are identical to the body’s natural chemistry. We also conduct hormone testing and other services. Take our hormone test for men today!
