Low Testosterone in Men

The testosterone hormone is a steroid hormone that is essentially present in all mammals and other vertebrates. The secretion of this hormone is different in different mammals though. Testosterone is present in both, males and females, but testosterone in males is produced in rates 10 times more than that in females. Testosterone plays a major role in the physiological, biological and sexual health of males. It is this hormone that makes them essentially male and that is why low testosterone in men is a time for the warning bells to ring out. This condition is also known as Hypogonadism. In the following article, we shall be looking into why low levels of testosterone in males is a negative indication of men's health and how one is to deal with it.

Importance of Testosterone for Men
These are some of the pointers that will tell us why testosterone is important for men:

• It is responsible for the development of male reproductive tissues.
• It is the reason why men have a deep voice, male strength, body mass, hair and bone growth.
• Testosterone in men helps to build protein, produce blood cells, helps with the metabolism, normal growth of prostate glands and proper liver functioning.
• It is mainly responsible for proper sexual behavior in males - sperm production, sexual functions and sex drive.
• It is necessary for the general health and well-being of males.

Since testosterone is so important for men, low levels of it can lead to several problems and side effects.

Signs
The following are the tell-tale signs of this condition/

• Fatigue
• Sudden mood changes
• Lethargy
• Increased irritability
• Erectile dysfunction
• Anemia
• Depleted muscle strength
• Osteoporosis
• Lack of sexual interest
• Poor erectile functions
• Fatigue
• Loss of concentration
• Dramatic weight loss

Causes
Low testosterone or hypogonadism can come about due to several reasons. Here are some of the causes of the same.

• Sometimes during the first or second year of a male child's birth, the testes fail to travel from the abdomen into the scrotum thereby becoming damaged and cannot produce normal amounts of testosterone.
• If there is any external or internal injury to the scrotum and hence the testes, then it results in low testosterone production.
• Aging is one of the most common factors that leads to depleting levels of testosterone in men.
• If a man suffers from Klinefelter's Syndrome (Instead of an X and Y chromosome, he has an extra X chromosome which leads to abnormal production of testosterone among other things.) it can lead to low levels of testosterone.
• Mumps in males can lead to inflammation of the testes which can damage the normal production of testosterone.
• Chemotherapy or radiation given for testicular cancer.
• Tumor in the pituitary gland.
• Any other brain disorders.
• Other external factors like substance abuse, drug abuse, alcoholism, smoking, and other illnesses like burning.

Side Effects
These are some of the common effects that you will see in a male if he has low levels of testosterone being produced:

Female Attributes: Since testosterone is responsible for making men essentially 'male', a loss of this hormone can cause a man to become more like a woman. Less body hair, softer voice, production of breasts and others.

Low Sex Drive: This is one of the most common effects of low testosterone in males. There will be less interest in sex and the sex drive will decline dramatically. Along with that, some men may even become impotent or it may lead to infertility.

Metabolic Syndrome: Men can suffer from diseases and conditions like high blood sugar, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol and weight gain around the abdomen.

Other Effects
Here are a few effects that can also result from the lack of this hormone.

• Osteoporosis
• Depression
• Lack of motivation and energy
• Low self-esteem

Treatment
The only way in which to treat this condition using external methods is to use the Testosterone Replacement Therapy which comes in the form of skin patches, gels, oral medications and injections. As well as the Testosterone Buccal System (a tablet that releases testosterone into the body over a period of 12 hours). Before undergoing this therapy, speak to your physician.

The other option of increasing testosterone naturally is to correct one's lifestyle - eating right, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, and avoiding smoking.

Low testosterone in men can come about due to varied reasons and disorders and leave in its wake a lot of damage. That is why it is necessary to prevent this condition. This can be done by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If one is diagnosed with it, then make sure to speak to your physician and learn the varied ways of how to increase testosterone. It is something that should not be avoided.