Having low testosterone is a problem that many men around the world deal with. It is something that needs to be treated as soon as possible because it can negatively impact various aspects of a man’s life. These days, those with low testosterone in the body take testosterone supplements to increase their levels. Are these things 100% good for you or do they come with some side effects that may lower your quality of life?
What is testosterone?
A type of hormone, testosterone is the primary male sex hormone produced in the testes or testicles. It is in-charge of several bodily functions from birth to puberty to old age, such as:
Development of the penis and testes
Testosterone is crucial to fetal development. Even before birth, testosterone facilitates the growth and development of the penis and testes, and continues to do so through puberty.
Development of bones and muscles
Testosterone plays an important role in the building of strong bones and muscles. It promotes bone density and muscle mass for better physical abilities and athletic performance.
Growth of body hair
Testosterone is responsible for the appearance of body hair, including facial hair and pubic hair, especially once a young male enters puberty stage.
Distribution of body fat
Testosterone helps the body efficiently distribute fat around to prevent the risk of obesity, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other health problems.
Production of red blood cells
Testosterone is instrumental in the production of new red blood cells in the body for improved blood circulation, and cardiovascular, brain, immune, and sexual functions.
Testosterone is also crucial to sexual performance as it aids in the following:
Production of sperm
Testosterone helps males produce high amounts of sperm that are well-developed and have good motility, which can make reproduction easier.
Libido
Testosterone is key to having a good amount of libido or sex drive for satisfying and enjoyable sex and an active sex life for many years.
Why do some men have low testosterone?
Testosterone levels in men generally reach their optimal levels during late teens to early 20s. And, once they reach their 30s or 40s, the amount that their bodies produce gradually decrease by about 1% annually.
According to health professionals, the following are the ideal testosterone ranges for every age group:
- 25 years old to 29 years old – 5.05 nanograms per deciliter to 19.8 deciliter
- 30 years old to 39 years old – 4.85 nanograms per deciliter to 19.0 nanograms per deciliter
- 40 years old to 49 years old – 4.46 nanograms per deciliter to 17.1 nanograms per deciliter
- 50 years old to 59 years old – 4.06 nanograms per deciliter to 15.6 nanograms per deciliter
- 60 years old to 69 years old – 3.67 nanograms per deciliter to 13.9 nanograms per deciliter
- 70 years old to 79 years old – 3.28 nanograms per deciliter to 12.2 nanograms per deciliter
- 80 years old to 85 years old – 2.88 nanograms per deciliter to 10.5 nanograms per deciliter
Looking at that data, we can say that as men age, their testosterone levels naturally decline.
In addition to aging, low testosterone levels in the body can also be caused by diseases and disorders, such as:
HIV/AIDS
A common sexually-transmitted disease, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus of HIV is an infection that is caused by a virus that can bring a lot of harm and damage to one’s body. If not diagnosed right away, it can impair many bodily functions, including testosterone production.
Pituitary problems
The pituitary gland is an important member of the body’s endocrine system, situated between the brain’s hypothalamus and pineal gland. It is the primary facilitator of the secretion of hormones, including testosterone, into the bloodstream.
Testicular cancer
A type of cancer that strikes the testicles, testicular cancer is a high-risk disease that can impair the body’s ability to produce testosterone and healthy sperm for reproduction. Its common signs and symptoms include a lump, pain, and swelling.
Sometimes, low testosterone can also be a result of undergoing treatment for cancer, particularly prostate cancer; and tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, or other inflammatory diseases.
Should you take testosterone to increase testosterone levels?
If your testosterone level test shows that you indeed have low testosterone in the body, you should talk to your doctor about the treatment options available to treat the problem.
Usually, testosterone therapy is prescribed to men with low testosterone. It can boost testosterone levels in bodies that can no longer produce testosterone on their own. It is available in different forms and can raise testosterone levels right after usage.
Nowadays, you can find various testosterone therapy options, such as:
- Skin patch – This boosts testosterone by applying it on the shoulder or upper arm once a day.
- Gels – This is applied directly on the skin once a day so that testosterone can be absorbed directly by the skin.
- Injections – This is injected into the muscles to get testosterone into the bloodstream.
Does testosterone therapy come with any side effects?
There are studies that say that testosterone therapy can be risky and dangerous. According to them, testosterone therapy may cause the following problems:
Sleep apnea
This is a type of sleeping disorder in which one’s breathing suddenly stops and starts again multiple times while asleep.
Acne and other skin problems
Taking testosterone can make your skin produce more oil, and can cause severe acne, pimples, and other skin problems.
Low sperm count
One study found that taking testosterone can shrink one’s testicles and render it unable to efficiently produce enough and good quality sperm.
Heart problems
There was a study that discovered the link between taking testosterone and heart health. It found that men aged 65 years old and older who used testosterone gel for a certain period of time showed an increased risk of heart problems.
Because of these hazards, it is of utmost importance that you consult a doctor before buying any testosterone boosting products or starting testosterone therapy on your own.
