You’re probably already familiar with the common symptoms of low testosterone, like reduced muscle mass and a decreased sex drive. However, while you might recognize these symptoms on paper, you may not be aware of the myriad ways they can affect your overall well-being. Low testosterone does not exist in a vacuum. A wide variety of short-term and long-term implications can harm various areas of your health in the long run.
It’s important to be aware of these health effects. A hormone deficiency may be behind your other symptoms even if you don’t suspect you have low T. Once you understand how low testosterone can negatively affect your mental and physical well-being, you can determine whether you have a deficiency. This will enable you to seek out the proper treatment at a testosterone clinic in Dallas, Texas.
Here’s what you need to know about the link between low testosterone and general health.
TESTOSTERONE AND SEXUAL HEALTH
As the primary male sex hormone, testosterone naturally plays a direct role in a man’s sexual health. One of the most important aspects of your sexual health is your libido or sex drive. Maintaining regular testosterone levels is crucial to promoting healthy libido. If you notice that you’ve become less interested in sex, this could be a direct result of low T. It isn’t uncommon for men to experience this as they grow older. However, if you have an abnormally low sex drive in your 20s, 30s, or early 40s, you may have a hormone deficiency to blame.
Often, low libido goes hand in hand with erectile dysfunction. When your testosterone levels are lower than normal, you may also have difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection. This is because the sex hormone triggers your brain to produce nitric oxide, a molecule that causes you to have an erection. Without adequate testosterone, your brain won’t receive the necessary signals to create nitric oxide, causing you to struggle to get or maintain an erection.
It’s important to consult your physician if you’re concerned about low libido or erectile dysfunction. Although low T is a common cause of these disorders, you’ll want to rule out any other medical conditions before visiting a Dallas, Texas, testosterone center. Other possible causes of erectile dysfunction include diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, depression, stress and high cholesterol. Your testosterone levels may also drop if you’ve suffered a recent injury or are taking certain types of medication.
TESTOSTERONE AND MUSCLE MASS
When you think about testosterone, your mind probably goes to physical strength as well. This is for good reason. Testosterone plays a crucial role in building proteins essential to stimulating muscle growth. Studies have even shown that increased levels of this hormone can help keep muscle loss at bay, particularly among aging men. If your hormone levels are lower than they should be, you may notice a difference in your muscle size. Depending on the severity of your deficiency, this can be a barely noticeable change or a more pronounced decrease.
It’s worth noting that a reduction in muscle mass is not correlated with a decrease in muscle function. Even if you notice that your muscles seem smaller than they used to be, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll also see a drop in muscle strength. If you’re concerned about a significant difference in muscle mass, looking into potential remedies to rectify the issue is a good idea. Whether you prefer at-home testosterone injections or visiting a clinic, be sure to choose the appropriate solution for your needs.
TESTOSTERONE AND SLEEP HYGIENE
A lesser-known effect of low testosterone is poor sleeping habits. Many men who struggle with a hormone deficiency adopt irregular sleeping patterns due to changing energy levels. If you feel fatigued even after getting a full eight hours of sleep, this can cause you to oversleep to increase your energy levels. As a result, your sleep habits may be off balance due to low testosterone.
Meanwhile, some men have the opposite problem. A hormone imbalance can also cause difficulty falling or staying asleep. If you take longer than usual to fall asleep or frequently wake up in the middle of the night, this could be a result of low testosterone levels. Insomnia can be a frustrating condition that interferes with your routine during waking hours, so it’s important to address it with the proper treatment.
According to research, there may also be a link between low T and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a form of sleep apnea characterized by blocked airways, which can cause irregular breathing during sleep. This chronic sleep condition often leads to daytime sleepiness and difficulty concentrating, harming work performance and other aspects of your daily life.
TESTOSTERONE AND MENTAL WELL-BEING
In addition to all the physical changes that accompany a testosterone deficiency, this condition can affect your mental health as well. Men with low testosterone often experience persistent feelings of anxiety, irritation, depression or restlessness. Mood changes may not be as easily noticeable as physical changes like reduced muscle mass and hair loss. However, awareness of your mental state is important, as it may hold hidden clues to your hormone health.
The extent to which low T affects mood varies from one man to the next. You might experience mood swings, or you may find yourself trapped in a state of depression or anxiety for a prolonged period. Depression is a widespread mental illness among men with low testosterone. Some of the key symptoms of depression include persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in appetite, irregular sleeping habits and lack of energy.
If you’ve noticed any significant mood changes, reach out to a trusted mental health specialist. It’s crucial to understand the root cause of your depression or anxiety so that you can take the proper steps to remedy it. If low testosterone is the reason behind your poor mental health, we highly recommend visiting a reputable clinic in Dallas, Texas, to boost your hormone levels in a safe, professional setting.
TESTOSTERONE AND BONE HEALTH
Low testosterone can impact your bone health as well. One of the most common conditions that weakens bones is osteoporosis, a disease characterized by reduced bone strength and mass. Individuals with osteoporosis suffer from weak and brittle bones. Although this condition primarily targets women, men with low testosterone can also be at risk of developing it. This is because testosterone helps produce and strengthen bone and build muscle mass. Insufficient levels of this hormone can, therefore, hurt your bone volume.
Reduced bone mass is linked to a wide range of health problems. Men with a testosterone deficiency are typically at a higher risk of bone fractures due to low bone volume. Another key symptom of osteoporosis is back pain, which can cause significant discomfort in men’s day-to-day lives. To protect yourself from these unpleasant symptoms and keep your bones strong, be sure to schedule an appointment at a testosterone clinic near me.
TESTOSTERONE AND ENERGY LEVELS
There is a strong correlation between testosterone and energy levels. If your hormone levels drop, you may feel more lethargic or sluggish than usual. It isn’t uncommon for men with low T to wake up exhausted, even after eight hours of sleep. If you’re sleeping fine but still struggle to get through your daily activities due to low energy, you may have a hormone deficiency to blame. Exhaustion and fatigue can make it challenging to complete even simple tasks, so talk to your doctor to identify the root cause of your symptoms.
If your energy levels fall, you might also be less motivated to work out. Paradoxically, a lack of exercise can make you feel more fatigued. It’s worth noting, however, that you should consider what’s normal for you. For example, if you typically head to the gym on a daily basis, you might notice a change in energy levels if you find yourself going less often or stopping going altogether. Being aware of what’s normal and abnormal for you will allow you to address your hormone deficiency properly.
TESTOSTERONE AND HAIR HEALTH
Testosterone also plays an integral role in hair production. If your hormone levels are balanced, you likely don’t need to worry about losing hair until you grow older. Your testosterone levels naturally drop as you age, and the age at which you start to lose hair is also primarily determined by your genes. Overall, hair loss is simply an expected part of the aging process for most men. However, if you’re already experiencing noticeable and abnormal hair loss at a relatively young age, it’s likely a result of a hormone deficiency.
It’s also worth noting that hair loss due to low T doesn’t exclusively affect the hair on your head. Not only might you come across bald spots on your head, but you may also notice a sudden loss of facial or body hair. Hair loss due to low T tends to happen more abruptly than it would during the natural aging process. If this symptom is sudden and alarming to you, be sure to talk to your doctor to rule out any possible medical conditions that may be contributing to your hair loss.
TESTOSTERONE AND ANEMIA
In some cases, low levels of testosterone may even adversely affect your blood health. Some studies have suggested that this hormone deficiency may increase your risk of anemia. Anemia is a medical disorder in which a person’s blood lacks an adequate number of healthy red blood cells. In some situations, this condition may even prevent the body’s organs from receiving a proper supply of oxygen. Some of the most common symptoms of anemia include dizziness or lightheadedness, fatigue, skin pallor, shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping and a rapid heartbeat.
Increasing your testosterone levels at a trusted clinic may help replenish your body’s red blood cells. This, in turn, can help alleviate some of the symptoms of anemia. However, if you notice any of the above symptoms, we highly recommend scheduling an appointment with your doctor first. This preventative measure will help ensure you aren’t suffering from a different medical condition. If you’ve ruled out all other possible conditions, don’t hesitate to visit our testosterone clinic in Dallas, TX, to receive the professional care you need.
LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE WITH PROFESSIONAL HORMONE THERAPY AT OUR TEXAS TESTOSTERONE CENTER
As you age, it’s normal for your testosterone levels to steadily decline. This is your body’s natural response to the aging process. However, this doesn’t mean you have no choice but to accept the unwanted changes in your body. You can still be free to achieve the best version of yourself, even as you grow older. Our dedicated and highly knowledgeable experts are here to help you make that happen during every stage of the hormone therapy process.
At Texas Men’s Health Group, our specialists take pride in offering the highest quality men’s hormone replacement therapy and treatment in Dallas, Texas. We’ve worked with countless men and understand that the aging process can have a number of adverse effects on their health and well-being, including their sex drive, energy levels, sleep quality and mental health. We’re committed to optimizing your hormones in a safe and effective way to combat these unpleasant effects.
To learn more about what we do, contact us today.