Most men have a basic idea of what testosterone is, and it is often associated with sex and masculinity. Beyond this, a lot of people don’t have a clue about its function or why maintaining a healthy balance is important for men. Here is a short guide to testosterone and how it affects your health and wellbeing.
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone that plays a vital part in men’s health. It occurs naturally in the human body, and in men it is primarily produced in the testicles. This hormone plays a huge role in bodily appearance, sexual function, and physical development. Testosterone stimulates sperm production, bone health, and sex drive, and when it comes to testosterone production, the brain and pituitary gland are in control. However, production usually decreases with age. Statistics show that around two out of 10 men over 60 years of age have low testosterone (low T).
Symptoms of Low Testosterone Levels
Low T can lead to a low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, a drop in sperm count, and breast growth. In addition, low T can cause men to gain body fat, lose muscle mass, and develop weaker bones. Symptoms of low T can vary from person to person, but some more unusual signs include hair loss, mood swings, and dry skin.
How to Combat Low T
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to increase low testosterone levels. This includes changing your diet, taking a testosterone supplement, and undergoing testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT):
A Change in Diet
If you are experiencing symptoms of low T and suspect a problem, the first way to combat the situation is to improve your lifestyle. Becoming more active and eating a nutritious, balanced diet can correct some of your symptoms. Excessive alcohol consumption over a prolonged period of time, and excess dairy consumption and a lack of green vegetables in your diet can also lower testosterone levels further and worsen the symptoms. In addition, foods that boost estrogen (the predominate sex hormone in females) could potentially reduce testosterone production. These include soy-based products, licorice root, and mint. Consuming too much of these types of foods could cause a hormone imbalance. Furthermore, it is generally a good idea to adopt a healthy lifestyle even if you do opt for supplements and therapy later.
Testosterone Supplements
Taking a testosterone supplement is an efficient way to boost low T and get quick results. Many men choose to take a testosterone supplement to enhance athletic performance, boost libido, and increase mental focus. For the best results, take a testosterone supplement alongside a healthy diet and regular physical activity. After all, a poor lifestyle could potentially be the reason behind the symptoms you are experiencing.
Testosterone-Replacement Therapy
TRT is often offered to people who experience low T due to disease, an injury, a condition present from birth, or after the removal of a testicle. It can be administered in many different ways including regular injections and subcutaneous treatment. TRT can provide beneficial results, but it has also been linked to sleep apnea, polycythemia, and prostate gland enlargement.
