Hello, everyone hope you are doing great and living a healthy life. Today I am going to explain or tell you about testosterone what are the key reasons for low testosterone? What is the myth about testosterone? & most importantly it is low or not?
So the topics you are going to read in this article are:
- What is testosterone?
- What does testosterone do?
- What are the myths about low testosterone?
- Testosterone deficiency syndrome?
- 1o real signs of low testosterone.
- Conclusion.
#What is testosterone?
When you think of testosterone, what comes to mind? Macho men? Aggressive, impatient, type A behavior? Road rage? Violence?
Testosterone’s role in bad behavior is largely a myth. What’s more, testosterone plays other important roles in health and disease that may surprise you. For example, did you know that testosterone is a key player in prostate cancer? Or, that women need testosterone, too? Well, these are some other factors will talk about these some other day but for now, let’s focus on our topic so what is testosterone and its key function Testosterone is a hormone found in humans, as well as in other animals. In men, the testicles primarily make testosterone. Women’s ovaries also make testosterone, though in much smaller amounts.
The production of testosterone starts to increase significantly during puberty and begins to dip after age 30 or so.
Testosterone is most often associated with sex drive and plays a vital role in sperm production. It also affects bone and muscle mass, the way men store fat in the body, and even red blood cell production.
A man’s testosterone levels can also affect his mood too.
#What does testosterone do?
Testosterone is the primary androgen. It stimulates the development of male characteristics and is essential for sperm production. Levels of testosterone are naturally much higher in males than females.
Testosterone helps maintain and develop:
- Sex organs and genitalia.
- Muscle mass.
- Adequate levels of red blood cells.
- Bone density.
- Sense of well-being.
- Sexual and reproductive function.
So up until now, I believe that you got a pretty much idea about what is testosterone and why it is important for us! Now the main point is how many of you think you have a deficiency of testosterone? Or you need more testosterone because your gym bro says to you!
#What are the myths about low testosterone?
Myth: Low T is a Normal Part of Aging.
Fact: Testosterone production, like many things, declines as you age. However, it doesn’t mean that you have low testosterone. Also, what is the normal level varies per man, and not everyone will need treatment.
Myth: Low T Only Affects a Man’s Sex Drive.
Fact: Men with Low T often experience mood swings, depression, fatigue, loss of bone density, and muscle mass, and a lack of sex drive.
Myth: The more testosterone, the better the athlete.
Fact: “The science is quite clear,” T researcher Aaron Baggish of Massachusetts General Hospital told the New York Times. “An androgenized body has a performance advantage.” Researchers affiliated with the International Association of Athletics Federations asserted that “wide sex difference in circulating testosterone concentrations … largely account[s] for the sex differences” in athletic performance.
But T’s effect on athleticism isn’t straightforward, in either men or women. At the most basic level, no study has ever concluded that you can predict the outcome of speed or strength events by knowing competitors’ T levels. And while T does affect parameters related to athleticism, including muscle size and oxygen uptake, the relationships don’t translate into better sports performance in a clear-cut way. Consider a study of 52 teenage Olympic weightlifters — an elite group, male and female. Among the boys, there was no relationship between T levels and strength; among girls, the athletes with lower T lifted more weight. In one widely disputed study, researchers claimed to have found that high T levels predict high performance across various track-and-field events. But in one of several analyses produced by the authors, in three of 11 running events athletes with the lowest T levels did better than those with the highest levels. Indeed, in the 100-meter race — which requires explosive strength, a trait often associated with T — the lowest-T runners ran about 5 percent faster than their highest-T counterparts. Such variable findings, common in the literature, cast doubt on the thesis that T is a master key to performance differences in sports.
#What is Testosterone deficiency syndrome?
Testosterone deficiency syndrome, also known as hypogonadism, is a condition in which the body does not produce enough testosterone. Symptoms of testosterone deficiency can include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, decreased muscle mass and strength, and decreased bone density. The condition can be caused by various factors such as genetic disorders, injury or infection of the testicles, or certain medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It is usually treated with testosterone replacement therapy, which can include testosterone gels, injections, or pellets.
#1o real signs of low testosterone.
- Low sex drive
Testosterone plays a key role in the sex drive, also known as libido. Some people may experience a decline in sex drive as they get older, but those with low testosterone will likely experience a more drastic drop.
- Difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection
Testosterone aids in achieving and maintaining an erection. It tells brain receptors to produce nitric oxide, which is a molecule that helps trigger a series of chemical reactions necessary for an erection to occur.
When testosterone levels are too low, you may have difficulty achieving an erection before sex or having spontaneous erections, such as during sleep.
However, research is inconclusive on whether testosterone replacement therapy can successfully treat erectile dysfunction. In a 2016 review of studies that looked at the benefit of testosterone in men with erection difficulties, nearly half of the trusted Sources showed no improvement with testosterone treatment.
Other health conditions can often cause erectile difficulties. These include:
- diabetes
- thyroid disorders
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- depression
- stress
- anxiety
Smoking and alcohol use can also contribute.
- Hot flashes
Experiencing hot flashes can be a sign of low testosterone. This can feel like a sudden sensation of warmth. You may also experience heavy sweating, reddening of the skin, and night sweats.
- Hair loss
Testosterone plays a role in several body functions, including hair production. Balding is a natural part of growing older for many men, and while it can be hereditary, those with low testosterone may lose body and facial hair as well.
- Fatigue
Males with low testosterone may report extreme fatigue and decreased energy. You may have low testosterone if you’re consistently tired despite getting plenty of sleep or if you find it harder to get motivated to exercise.
- Decreased muscle mass
Males with low testosterone may notice a decrease in muscle mass, as testosterone contributes to building muscle. A study in 2016 found that testosterone affects muscle mass but not necessarily strength or function.
- Increased body fat
Males with low testosterone may experience increased body fat or develop gynecomastia, which is enlarged breast tissue. Gynecomastia can occur when there is an imbalance of testosterone and estrogen in the body.
- Decreased bone mass
Osteoporosis is a condition many people often associate with females, but males with low testosterone can also experience bone loss. Testosterone helps produce and strengthen bone, so males with low testosterone, especially older men, may have lower bone volume and be more susceptible to bone fractures.
- Mood changes
Males with low testosterone can experience mood changes. Since testosterone influences many of the body’s physical processes, it can also affect mood and mental capacity.
- Affected memory
Both testosterone levels and cognitive functions, particularly memory, decline with age. As a result, doctors have theorized that lower testosterone levels could contribute to affected memory.
According to 2019 studies, testosterone supplementation is linked with improved memory in older men with low testosterone though the effect may be small.
However, a 2017 study on testosterone supplementation did not find memory improvements in 493 men with low testosterone levels who took testosterone or a placebo.
#Conclusion.
The article concludes that testosterone is a hormone found in humans and plays a vital role in sperm production, muscle and bone mass, red blood cell production, and overall sense of well-being. However, the idea that low testosterone is a normal part of aging and only affects a man’s sex drive is a myth. Additionally, studies have not shown a clear relationship between testosterone levels and athletic performance, and the idea that more testosterone always leads to better athletic performance is also a myth. The article also mentions testosterone deficiency syndrome and lists 10 signs of low testosterone. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding the facts about testosterone and not believing in myths surrounding it.
