Did you know that low levels of testosterone in your body can cause many health issues and emotional problems? This is because testosterone is an essential hormone that your body needs to maintain good physical and mental health. For most men, hormone levels drop after the age of 30. By 40, testosterone is decreasing at almost 1% every year. By the age of 75, 30% of men suffer from low testosterone and show symptoms of hypogonadism.
Fortunately, testosterone therapy is available to treat low testosterone and hypogonadism in an effective and safe manner.
Understanding Hypogonadism
Male hypogonadism is a condition wherein the body’s sex glands produce little to no testosterone. Some people are born with this condition, while others develop this due to infection or injury. Those who are born with this disorder have underdeveloped or ambiguous male genitals, underdeveloped muscle mass, and impaired growth of body hair, among others. Some may even develop breast tissue similar to a woman.
Hypogonadism can also occur during adulthood. Most find it to have a profound impact on their quality of life, and may even lead to marital problems and divorce. Men suffering from hypogonadism later in life not only have issues with libido and erectile dysfunction, but they also suffer from depression and temperamentality. In fact, they may even experience “hot flashes” similar to what women experience during menopause.
In addition, they also have an inability to regulate weight and the loss of lean muscle mass. Testosterone helps stabilize metabolism, and when levels are low, too much fat is stored, especially in the belly. Dieting and exercise produce little weight loss results, as the body is fighting these measures due to chemical imbalances.
Though it’s natural to lose bone density and muscle mass as you get older, the lack of testosterone makes the problem far worse. Reduced bone density and muscle mass can lead to mobility issues and a greater risk of injuries, among others.
Furthermore, facial and body hair start to diminish. In some cases, breast tissue begins to develop, a process known as gynecomastia. For many men, these changes enhance the feeling of depression already present due to hormonal imbalance. Men experiencing hypogonadism report feeling chronic fatigue. To make matters worse, they also experience a lack of focus and mental agility.
Treatment for Hypogonadism
Fortunately, the symptoms of hypogonadism are reversible. Most doctors prescribe hormone replacement therapy to replenish the body’s supply of testosterone and restore it to normal levels. Many men return to good health in a relatively short period of time, though the treatments will continue as long as the body fails to produce enough testosterone on its own.
Once treatment is started, most men experience life changing results. To begin with, men experience increased mental ability and enhanced memory. Better yet, they also feel a renewed sense of energy and alertness, with many saying they feel years younger than their age.
Next, depression and anxiety fade away once the testosterone levels are back to normal. Better sleep patterns and more regular metabolism also can be expected. In fact, most also experience weight loss through the redistribution of fat storage and an increase in lean muscle mass production. With these changes to the body, men can have athletic pursuits and engage in fitness training once more.
Life Begins Again
Hypogonadism is a debilitating disease that leaves those who suffer from it both physically and emotionally damaged. After all, no one wants to feel less of man as they get older. Fortunately, hormone treatments allow men with hypogonadism to become physically active once more. Hypogonadism is a depressing condition, but with the correct treatment, you can overcome it quickly and safely.
Sources
Male Hypogonadism: Symptoms and Treatment, NIH.gov
Male Hypogonadism, MayoClinic.org