As you might already know, testosterone is a human hormone more adequately found in males – thus the common name “male sex hormone”.
The hormone plays a bunch of critical roles in the body, including regulating muscle mass, bone density, and red blood cell levels. Produced in the testes, testosterone is also responsible for maintaining sexual features, regulating sexual function, and maintaining reproductive function.
Now, low testosterone is a disorder in which the testes fail to produce adequate testosterone. Also known as male hypogonadism, Low-T can have numerous negative effects on the body, some of which may not be noticeable. In this piece, we shall look at the various symptoms of Low-T and how you can fight it.
Low Testosterone Symptoms
Male hypogonadism can present several symptoms, most of which depend on the person’s age. Some are sexually related whereas others are emotionally or physically oriented. For instance, some men suffering from Low-T can experience a decrease in sex drive. Especially in older men, erectile dysfunction can also indicate low testosterone. Apart from decreased sexual stamina and low libido, below are a few other symptoms experienced by people with low testosterone:
- Declined muscle strength
- Moodiness
- Irritability
- Memory and concentration difficulties
- Body fatigue
Low testosterone patients may also experience hemoglobin decrease, hair loss, elevated body fat, and bone thinning. Many individuals also experience man boobs, a condition known as gynecomastia. With the symptoms out of the way, let’s now look at a few ways to fight low testosterone.
1. Testosterone Therapy
If you suspect you are suffering from Low-T, testosterone replacement is by far the best approach you can take. It is a medical treatment approach where your doctor conducts some diagnostic tests and recommends the appropriate treatment once they confirm low-T.
If you are one of many Georgians who suffer from low testosterone levels, you are in luck because there are several testosterone replacement specialists in Atlanta. The doctors at the TRT clinic in Atlanta advise seeking an experienced facility. They will advise you accordingly on whether you qualify as a T-replacement therapy, and educate you on what to expect as well as the options available to you.
2. Adopt an Active Lifestyle
As you might know by now, regular physical exercise comes with a lot of perks. One of them is that it helps increase testosterone levels in the body. HIIT is particularly helpful in boosting the male hormone production in the testes. An active lifestyle will also help improve your cardiovascular health, keep your weight in check, and improve your immunity. While at it, resistance and weight lifting workouts will also help tone your muscles and improve your overall body strength.
3. Ward off Stress
Stress is potentially the biggest enemy of good health. When stressed, the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) are elevated, leading to a decrease in circulating testosterone levels. A cascade of events follows, and you feel fatigued, confused, and even weaker in bed as a man. From reading a book to taking a vacation, playing a game, or meditation, there are several ways to keep stress under control. This can help restore your testosterone levels by a significant margin.
4. Get Better Sleep
You can never go wrong with a good dose of snooze. A good night’s sleep helps your body rest and reboot. If scientific studies are anything to go by, sleep quality can significantly impact testosterone levels. As much as you have a lot going on to keep up with the harsh economic times, increasing your restful sleep time by just two hours could help fight low testosterone.
5. Go for Proper Meals
Your hormone levels can also be affected by your diet, and testosterone is no exception. Start by making sure your plate contains adequate protein, alongside decent amounts of healthy fats and carbs. If you suffer from low T, overeating or starving yourself should be a no-go zone. Ensure your diet contains a healthy balance of these nutrients, preferably from whole foods. Don’t forget to get adequate amounts of vitamin D to optimize your T levels.
6. Testosterone Boosting Herbs and Supplements
Finally, there are a lot of testosterone boosters out there, both natural and artificial. Just to name a few, some of these include herbs like ashwagandha, ginger extract, shilajit, Mucuna pruriens, and the famous horny goat weed. Many of these herbs are also used to make “natural supplements” used as testosterone boosters. Additionally, vitamin supplements for zinc, Vit A, D, and B are common low-t remedies.
As a parting shot, low-t can be quite problematic to its sufferers. The good thing is that it can be detected and treated to bring your precious reproductive hormone levels back up. With the few tips above, you now know how to detect low-t and put up a fight against it.