To improve their sexual performance, many men look into taking testosterone pills. Nowadays, ads for these products can be found everywhere, and they promise to give you the testosterone boost that you need to enjoy more fun and pleasurable moments in the bedroom.
Why is testosterone important in men?
In men, testosterone is the primary sex hormone. It plays a big role in various bodily functions, including:
- The growth of body hair, such as facial hair and pubic hair
- Bone strength and muscle mass
- Sex drive or libido
- Deepening of voice
- Memory and concentration
- Mood
If your testosterone levels in the body are normal, you should not have any problems achieving a good quality of life that is free of infections, disorders, and other complications.
What testosterone levels are considered low or high?
For your testosterone levels to be considered normal, they should be between 270 nanograms per deciliter and 1070 nanograms per deciliter. Men usually reach their peak sexual health once they turn 20 years old, and they typically have around 679 nanograms per deciliter of testosterone.
However, if your testosterone levels fall outside of the ideal range, whether above or below, you have a hormonal imbalance that may trigger different kinds of negative effects that can put you in severe harm and danger if not addressed as soon as possible.
Are there medications that can treat high or low testosterone?
There are a number of medications for the treatment of high or low testosterone levels. Below are examples that your doctor may recommend:
Anabolic steroids
These are prescription medications used to treat certain hormonal issues in men. They are good for those who have low testosterone, as they can increase your body’s T levels, and help you improve your muscle mass and bone strength, among others. However, if they are abused, they can make you prone to high blood pressure, liver disease, kidney damage, heart attack, and shrinking of the testicles.
Testosterone pills
These are medications that can boost your low testosterone levels. As long as you obey doctor’s orders and do not take more than the recommended dosage, you can enjoy a ton of benefits that should make your life a lot better.
What are some side effects of taking testosterone pills?
There are risks to taking testosterone pills, especially if they are consumed in higher doses or abused. If you take more than the amount that your doctor told you, instead of normalizing your T levels, your testosterone will go much higher, and put you in danger of a variety of things that can impact different aspects of your sexual health. Here are some common scenarios:
Reduced sperm count
Having too much testosterone in you can hurt the production of enough number of healthy sperm cells by your testicles. If this happens, you may likely become infertile and suffer from various other sexual and reproductive disorders.
Skin problems
With higher levels of testosterone in the body, your skin can become oily and experience acne and pimple breakouts more than before. This may affect your self-esteem over time and cause you to spend a lot of money on skincare products and dermatologist visits.
Sleeping difficulties
Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep is necessary for your sexual health. But, with too much testosterone in the body, you may start having trouble sleeping, and frequently find yourself just lying awake in bed, staring at the ceiling for hours. So, in the morning, due to lack of sleep, you will feel too tired and exhausted to perform satisfactorily at work or in school.
Unhealthy heart
Your heart is essential in the pumping of blood that your penis needs for erection. It has to be worked regularly, fed the right kinds of nutrients, and not subjected to too much stress and pressure to be able to do its functions. However, if you have too much testosterone in your system, a hormonal imbalance occurs, and this exposes you to cardiovascular and reproductive risks.
Breast enlargement
If a man has high testosterone levels, the excess testosterone is converted by his body to estrogen, which is the female hormone. As a result, his breast may start to swell or enlarge, just like how women’s breasts are.
Decrease in the size of the testicles
Due to the extra testosterone being converted to estrogen by the body, a man may also notice his testicles shrinking. This is not a good thing to happen because it may lead to impaired sperm production, reduced sperm count, poor sperm motility, and other fertility issues.
Are there natural ways of improving one’s testosterone levels?
There are natural and safe methods that you can try to increase your body’s testosterone levels, such as the following:
- Healthy diet
There is a long list of foods that can enhance your body’s testosterone production. They should be included in your daily diet to avail of their benefits. Some good examples are eggs, beans, beef, spinach, almonds, oysters, lemons, tuna, bananas, and salmon.
- Exercise
Being physically active is important, most especially for older men. It is not only for the good of their heart, lungs, brain, and other vital organs, but also for their immune, mental, and sexual health. By exercising regularly, your body is able to keep your bones and muscles strong, boost your ability to fight off infections, and also facilitate the production of testosterone. There are many simple exercises that you can try at home or at the gym, and some recommended examples are pushups, squats, pull-ups, chin-ups, and rows.
- More time under the sun
The sun is an excellent source of vitamin D, which is a nutrient needed in the production of testosterone. Every morning, you should get out and spend even just 10 minutes of your day to feel the warmth of the sun’s rays on your skin. In addition to its sexual benefits, vitamin D can improve your bones, calcium absorption, and skin health too.
