Testosterone is an important hormone for men. During puberty, it helps in the development of the testes and the penis, and it also plays a role in the growth of facial and pubic hair and the deepening of the voice. Testosterone also continues to play an important role long after the teenage years. It helps inform everything from a man’s libido to his mood, and when testosterone levels are low, it can have a negative impact on a man’s emotional and physical health. If you have any of the following symptoms, talk to your doctor and be sure to ask about your testosterone levels. Thankfully, there are many treatments that can help improve your sexual response and get your hormone levels back on track.
Here are signs of low testosterone in men:
Decreased Libido
Testosterone plays an important role in libido for both men and women. When testosterone levels go down, desire often follows suit.
Depression
A study performed at the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System and the University of Washington in Seattle found that men with low testosterone were four times more likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression
Lack of Energy
Low testosterone is also linked to low energy. If you find that your energy has been declining, don’t just chalk it up to long hours at work: It could be a sign of low testosterone.
Decreased Height
Testosterone plays a role in bone strength, so if you feel like you are losing height, or shrinking, it might not be all in your head: It could be low testosterone.
Decreased Strength
Testosterone also plays a role in muscle mass, so if you have decreased strength or endurance but haven’t changed your workout regime, it could be a sign of decreased testosterone.
Less-Pleasurable Erections
If you find that your sexual response has been less intense and that your erections are not as strong, it could be a sign of low testosterone.
You Have Other Health Issues
Testosterone levels can be impacted by other health conditions, most notably obesity, type 2 diabetes, and thyroid issues, so if you suffer from one or more of these, you might also have issues with low testosterone.
Decrease in Ejaculate
When your testosterone levels decrease, you might also notice that the amount of your ejaculate decreases in volume.
Shrinking Testicles
Low levels of testosterone can sometimes cause the testicles to shrink and become smaller. Some men also report a feeling of numbness in the testicles.
Erectile Dysfunction
If you are unable to achieve or maintain an erection, it could be because of low testosterone levels. Again, talk to your doctor and have your hormone levels tested.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
OF LOW Testosterone
When you look at each of the signs and symptoms individually, you may not think they point to Low T. That’s because they may be difficult to tell, and may in fact be caused by other medical conditions. Check out the Low T signs and symptoms below to see if any of them apply to you:
- Sexual dysfunction (unable to maintain erections)
- Reduced sex drive (reduced sexual activity)
- Decreased energy
- Loss of body hair, reduced shaving
- Depressed mood
- Increase in body fat
- Decrease in bone strength
- Reduced muscle mass
If you have any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them. They could be a sign of Low T or other health conditions. Only your doctor can tell if you have hypogonadism by giving you a medical exam to assess your signs and symptoms, then by performing certain blood tests. So when you speak to your doctor, ask if you should be tested.
