Men begin to notice changes in how they feel or function as the years go by. You may not realize that many of those shifts are directly linked to your testosterone production.
Understanding the role that testosterone plays in men’s health empowers you to take action if an imbalance develops.
In or near Monterey, California, you can get help from Terry L. Franklin, MD, an experienced preventive healthcare specialist with a dedication to delivering personalized care.
Here’s a quick overview of why testosterone levels matter and how to recognize some of the signs that your natural testosterone production levels might be flagging.
Hormones serve numerous functions throughout the human body, often working behind the scenes to regulate functions like your metabolism, temperature regulation, mood, and even cognitive function. The hormones that drive reproductive health are known as sex hormones.
For men, testosterone is the dominant sex hormone. During childhood and puberty, testosterone triggers the development of the penis and testes. It’s also the driving factor in producing facial hair and deepening the voice, which are hallmarks of male puberty.
Later in life, testosterone regulates your sex drive, helps you gain muscle and bone mass, and enables healthy erectile function. Your body produces all of the testosterone you need during youth, but as the years pass, those levels naturally begin to decline.
Just because declining testosterone production is a normal part of aging, doesn’t mean you have to accept those changes as inevitable.
Knowing the signs of low testosterone can help you know when to come for blood testing, which is the only way to truly know your production levels. Here are some of the changes you might experience from reduced testosterone production:
Most men are aware that these changes might be linked to their testosterone. But there are other more subtle changes you should be aware of.
Many men experience depression as they move through middle age and beyond. They’re often unaware of the link between low testosterone and mood, and don’t make the connection right away.
Depression can range in severity from mild to debilitating, so don’t ignore changes in any aspect of your mental health.
Men also produce small amounts of estrogen, just as women produce small amounts of testosterone. As testosterone production lessens, the estrogen in your system can cause changes like enlarged breast tissue.
Weight gain and not working out can be part of the issue, but don’t discount the role that testosterone plays in the distribution of fat and muscle throughout your body
Testosterone (along with many other hormones) plays a role in cognitive function. If you’re producing less testosterone, you might experience a condition known as brain fog.
You might feel like you aren’t thinking as clearly as usual or that you’re struggling to solve problems or keep up the same witty banter you’re usually so good at. All of these changes might be directly linked to declining testosterone.
If you’re concerned about the effects of low testosterone, there’s plenty to be hopeful about. Today’s hormone replacement therapy methods offer many benefits for both women and men.
There are numerous ways we can deliver supplemental testosterone to help you achieve optimal balance. Options include injections, pills, creams, gels, patches, and nasal sprays.
There’s even an approach that relies on small pellets placed just beneath the surface of your skin that release a steady stream of testosterone over time.
To learn more about whether testosterone replacement therapy is a good fit for your specific set of needs, give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
