Once the underlying causes are identified, doctors can recommend the best remedy for low testosterone.
- Low testosterone can disrupt a man’s normal life and make him less confident about himself and his sexual function.
- This condition responds well to modern treatments like hormone replacement therapy and dietary and lifestyle changes.
What is Low Testosterone?
As its name implies, low testosterone is the presence of low testosterone levels in a man’s body. It can be caused by a number of different factors. Among them, the natural aging process is one of the most prevalent.
In fact, statistics show that men between the ages of 39 and 50 are most at risk of suffering from low testosterone. They no longer enjoy the normal levels of this hormone that they once did when they were younger.
However, low testosterone can also be caused by other factors that may or may not be within a man’s control. Other common causes of low testosterone include:
- Delayed puberty
- Undescended testicles
- Klinefelter’s syndrome
- Hemochromatosis, or a high level of iron in a man’s blood
- Physical injury to the testicles
- Mumps
- Cancer treatments
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- The use of drugs or alcohol
The underlying factors for low testosterone will determine what type of treatment a man receives to correct the problem.
What are the Symptoms of Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone presents itself through a variety of symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Low libido or no interest in sexual intercourse
- An inability to perform sexually (inability to achieve an orgasm or ejaculate)
- Infertility
- Emotional disturbances like depression or anxiety
- A loss of physical strength
- Gaining weight
The symptoms of low testosterone can be disruptive and troublesome. However, they may be easily remedied by any of the available treatments for this condition.
How is Low Testosterone Treated?
Doctors use a variety of methods to treat low testosterone in men today. The type of treatment a man receives will depend on the underlying cause for low testosterone.
For example, if a man has low testosterone because of being overweight, he may be told to exercise more and eat a healthy diet. Likewise, if the underlying cause is alcohol or drug use, the patient may be advised to avoid using drugs and alcohol to restore his normal testosterone levels.
However, when low testosterone is caused by other factors like an undescended testicle or aging, it may respond best to hormone replacement therapy. In this instance, the patient may be prescribed synthetic testosterone that can be injected, applied as a gel, or taken in pill form.