Testosterone is a sex hormone found in humans. It is also known as the primary sex hormone in males, even though females produce it in small quantities. In males, the production of this hormone starts during puberty keeps growing until it starts to dip after the age of 30 years [1]. The levels of testosterone in the blood are essential for a lot of reproductive as well as development functions. It helps develop muscles and bones, hair growth, sperm production, etc. but what causes low testosterone, and what are the symptoms?
As a man ages, the amount of testosterone produced also slows down. Older males usually have lower testosterone levels. However, in some cases, low testosterone can also impact young men. The condition associated with low testosterone is called ‘male hypogonadism’ in which the testicles do not produce enough testosterone [2].
Top Seven Signs You Might Have Low Testosterone
A lot of symptoms can occur if the production of testosterone falls drastically. Here are seven common ones to look out for.
1. Reduced Sex Drive or Low Libido
One of the most common symptoms of having low testosterone is having a low sex drive in men. Testosterone plays a huge role in controlling the sex drive in men, and hence any drop in the levels can reduce the desire to have sex. However, it is essential to note here that libido also decreases with age in men; it is easier to differentiate between the decrease in libido because of lower testosterone than age because the change in sexual desires is drastic. Talking to the doctor about various testosterone therapies can help fix this problem quickly [3].
2. Erectile Dysfunction, Reduced Size of Testicles, and Low Semen Volume
Another prevalent sign of low testosterone is having difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. Although testosterone is not directly involved in driving an erection, the hormone is needed to stimulate the brain to produce chemicals needed for maintaining an erection. Testosterone is responsible for the production of Nitric Oxide, which causes erections in males. If the levels of testosterone are low, so will be the levels of Nitric Oxide, hence the difficulty in maintaining an erection. However, erectile dysfunction is not solely caused due to testosterone levels and may also include other factors such as diabetes, substance use, thyroid problems, and much more [4].
In addition to this, testosterone has a significant role in producing semen in men. Semen is the fluid that aids the motility of the sperm, and men with decreased testosterone will see a substantial decrease in the volume of their semen. This can also lead to infertility if not treated on time.
A physical sign that the levels of testosterone are low in males is the reduction in the size of the testicles. There is a significant size reduction as well as the scrotum gets softer than usual.
3. Loss of Muscle and Gaining Body Fat
Low testosterone for a longer period can also cause reduced muscle mass. Testosterone is one of the major factors responsible for building muscle mass and its maintenance in men, the lack of it can cause a decrease in muscles. People who lift weights regularly eat a protein-rich diet and are yet not able to gain muscle or see the loss of muscles should consider their testosterone levels.
In addition to this, the loss of muscle mass is followed by a gain in body fat. If you take the same diet that is meant to promote muscle building, but you have lack testosterone, it will be stored as fat. Also, men experience deposition of fats in their chest area. This is called gynecomastia which, in simple words, is a condition where breast tissues get enlarged in males. This condition is mainly caused due to estrogen and testosterone imbalance in males [5].
4. Fatigue
If you feel tired all the time and have ruled out any other cause for it, then you should get your testosterone levels checked. Low testosterone in men can cause a drop in energy, extreme fatigue, and body pain. Many people experience a general sense of fatigue to the extent that they find it difficult to perform activities that they could do without getting tired.
5. Mood Swings and Depression
Testosterone can also affect the moods in men, and hence lack of it can be the reason for irritability, depression, and various mood swings. In addition to this, low testosterone levels can also affect brain function and lead to memory loss or trouble memorizing things.
In addition to this, men with low testosterone might also experience difficulty sleeping. It has been seen that sleep apnea is common in men with low testosterone [6].
6. Hair Loss
Testosterone plays a significant role in the production of hair in males. Low testosterone can lead to hair loss in men. People with lower testosterone often experience male pattern baldness. Although low testosterone can not be diagnosed just based on male pattern baldness, it can be one of the reasons for it and a symptom.
7. Thinning of Bones
Osteoporosis is a condition that is usually associated with females, but it can also affect men with low testosterone levels. Testosterone is also responsible for maintaining bone density. Low levels of the hormones can lead to low bone volume in men causing joint pains and increasing the chances of bone fracture.
All of the above are symptoms that can be seen in people suffering from low testosterone levels but to get a confirmation, you should consult your doctor and get blood tests done.
Causes of Low Testosterone Levels
Testosterone production can be affected by a lot of factors. Although the reduction in testosterone production is widespread in men over the age of 30, the extreme reduction can be concerning [7]. Some of the common causes of low testosterone levels in men include:
- Injury or infection in the testes that interrupts the blood flow or functioning of the gland
- Hemochromatosis
- Chemotherapy
- Tumour in the pituitary gland
- Medications that can cause lowering down of the testosterone levels
- Medical conditions include CKD, Liver Cirrhosis, HIV AIDS, Kallman syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, and others
- Alcoholism
- Smoking
- Excessive weight gain or extreme weight loss
- Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
- Excess of estrogen in the body
- Age
One of the major causes of low testosterone in men is obesity which can further lead to type 2 diabetes [8].
Symptoms of Low Testosterone In Females
Even though females rarely are affected by the low testosterone symptoms, there still are some notable ones. These include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, anemia, and irregular menstrual cycles. The reason some women might experience low testosterone levels is because of surgical removal of ovaries or an increase in estrogen production with oral estrogen therapy [9].
To Sum Up
Low testosterone levels in the body can be caused due to a variety of factors. They can lead to infertility, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, mood swings, low sex drive, fatigue, loss of muscles, and thinning of bones. Hence if you see any of the given symptoms and are not able to associate them with any other medical condition, it is advised to visit your doctor and get your testosterone level checked. Doctors can prescribe various therapies and medications to bring testosterone levels back to normal.