We are all familiar with the name testosterone as a hormone that is often associated with the reason behind not only ‘boys being boys’, but also with the growth and development of typically ‘male’ characteristics like facial and body hair, or a deeper voice. However, women actually have small doses of testosterone in the body too, alongside the ‘female’ hormone that is oestrogen.
Besides the obvious physical changes that testosterone causes, we’ve found out why the hormone is so important in the body and why it matters if your body is lacking in testosterone. We’ve also included advice on what to do if you are someone who feels as though – or suffers with – low amounts of testosterone in your body. It is nothing to be ashamed of, and working through the problem helps to break down the barriers or stigmas attached with testosterone that prevent many from seeking help for their problems that can often be simply resolved. Let’s get started.
Determining Behaviours and Body Shape
Just like other hormones and regulatory processes, the body has a system to monitor hormone levels, and messages are sent in testosterone hormones to other parts of the body so that the pituitary gland knows how much testosterone hormone is needed. This information is passed along to the testicles. Just like how social, biological and environmental factors play a role in determining how you behave, testosterone can influence your dominance, aggression and competitiveness. Just like sexual activities can increase or decrease a man’s testosterone levels, taking part in competitions can have an influence on testosterone levels, as well as boosting self-esteem or confidence.
Testosterone is also involved in the development of muscle bulk and strength because it increases neurotransmitters that encourage tissue growth, as well as interacts with the DNA receptors in the brain which causes protein synthesis. This means that with higher levels of testosterone, you are more likely to build muscle. Due to the fact that if you have more muscle, you are more likely to have a faster metabolism, those with higher testosterone levels are linked to having less fat. Dropping levels of testosterone can cause an increase in body fat because the hormone helps to burn fat more effectively. Additionally, testosterone increases bone density and sends messages to the bone marrow to manufacture red blood cells. As a result, men with low testosterone levels are more likely to have fractures or broken bones than those with higher testosterone levels.
Determining Sex and Sexual Libido
Testosterone is detected in the body within seven weeks of conception in male foetuses and testosterone levels rise during puberty, are at their highest in the late teen years, and will begin to level off once a male has reached 30. From then onwards, it is normal that testosterone levels will slowly decrease gradually each year.
Perhaps the most well-known role of testosterone, and for some it is the most important, is in development. During pregnancy, testosterone is produced as the male foetus develops and causes a penis to grow. During puberty where testosterone is at its highest, the hormone causes the testicles and penis to grow further, to ensure a steady stream of sperm can be produced regularly. This is why males during puberty will begin to develop a sexual libido and explore this through masturbation.
Low Testosterone Levels
A man with low levels of testosterone may lose their libido and sex drive, which can have a significant impact on mental health because it can cause relationship issues, personal performance anxiety as a result of Erectile Dysfunction, and can fuel depression. Erectile Dysfunction is when you fail to achieve or maintain an erection. If you produce too little testosterone, you can be diagnosed with hypogonadism. It can be treated, but it may result in enlarged breasts and smaller, softer testicles. This means that it is not a treatment viable for males who have prostate or breast cancer, because it can interfere with other treatments for these conditions. It is also unsuitable for people who are looking and struggling to have children, because testosterone therapy can reduce sperm production.If you are experiencing a low sex drive and libido, increased fat over muscle despite weight-training, or you are losing body and facial hair, you may have low levels of testosterone, and considering treatments like sildenafil 25mg could be beneficial in addressing these concerns.
Treating Low Testosterone Levels
If you are experiencing a low sex drive and libido, increased fat over muscle despite weight-training, or you are losing body and facial hair, you may have low levels of testosterone. This lack of testosterone can be treated by testosterone treatments that help to replace the testosterone that your body lacks. This can be through topical creams that are rubbed into the skin, or it can involve regular intramuscular injections from the doctor.
There are many different therapies and treatments available too that can help to boost your testosterone levels. Manual are a medical treatment provider that work towards helping men with psychological and physiological body conditions that are often stigmatised as taboo subjects, or considered embarrassing. They have developed various treatments to help a range of male-specific disorders or conditions, including testosterone treatments, and you can find guidance here at Manual.co.
Having low testosterone levels does not make you any less of a man, nor does it determine whether you are a man. With new technologies and treatments, it is possible to make up for any testosterone that you are lacking in the body – which you feel that you require because it is impacting your life in many different ways.
As we have discussed above, testosterone plays a key role in many different functions for the body, and so it is no surprise that you may wish to increase your testosterone levels if you are suffering from any disadvantages as a result of this. This is particularly the case if you are under the age of 30, as you should not typically see lower testosterone levels before this age. The moment that you investigate why you are experiencing certain problems, such as a reduced libido, or hair loss, you will be a step closer to resolving the issue by determining the cause.
