Low Testosterone – Causes and Effects of Low Testosterone Levels

Testosterone is the hormone that essentially differentiates men from women. Increased testosterone levels are what cause puberty in boys and all of the subsequent effects such as a deeper voice, well-defined muscles, and even body hair. Testosterone is also the driving force behind a man’s sex drive. Patients who are suffering from low testosterone usually notice the impact on their sex life first. Low testosterone can cause erectile dysfunction, difficulty achieving orgasm and a decreased interest in sex. Low testosterone also causes fatigue, irritability, and a poor mood similar to mild depression. If you suffer from this condition, it’s important to seek treatment.

Low Testosterone affects more than just your sex drive. Though men may initially seek help with this problem because of their declining sex life, treating low testosterone is important for many other reasons. Men who suffer from low testosterone levels are at a higher risk for osteoporosis, heart disease and diabetes. Your body needs adequate levels of this hormone to function properly on all levels. Low testosterone can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. If you’ve noticed changes in your mood, energy levels, or sex drive, you should talk to your doctor. Though you may be chocking it all up to stress, it could be more serious. Low testosterone can be caused by many different factors. Some common causes of low testosterone include:

• Obesity
• Aging
• Cancer therapy
• Medications, such as hormones, opiates, and steroids
• Inflammation of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland
• Trauma to the scrotum, testes, or head
• Infections

You may be suffering from one or more of these causes without being aware of it. Undiagnosed conditions such as Kallman’s syndrome, brain tumors, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, or syphilis could be behind your low testosterone. These underlying conditions can themselves be very serious and require prompt treatment. However, even mild causes such as aging can be treated. Low Testosterone is easily treatable. If you are suffering from an underlying condition that is causing your low testosterone levels, you doctor will naturally focus on treating that and your testosterone will increase again on its own. If your low testosterone is caused by aging or another medication you are taking, your doctor can prescribe testosterone to you in another form that will once again boost your levels. If you’re suffering from obesity, following a strict diet and exercise routine will not only improve your sex life and help you increase your testosterone levels, it will also improve your health in many other ways.