If your testosterone levels are low, you may notice changes in your sex drive, erections, mood, sleep, energy levels and muscle strength. You may need testosterone replacement therapy to increase your testosterone levels. Living a healthy lifestyle can also help.
While testosterone definitely plays a role in your sexual function, many men with low levels of testosterone (also referred to as low-T or hypogonadism) can get erections just fine.
A man's ability to produce testosterone starts to decline at about 40 years of age, and levels continue to drop 1 – 3% a year thereafter. It is important to note that just because the levels are dropping after 40 doesn't necessarily mean that all men are candidates for therapy.
“Everybody thinks that Viagra is the panacea for all sexual problems. It's not. If low testosterone is the problem, then Viagra, as well as Levitra or Cialis which are similar treatments, won't be the answer,” said Dr Malcolm Carruthers, lead clinician at the Centre for Men's Health and expert in men's hormonal health.
Untreated testosterone deficiency will greatly increase your risk for developing heart disease, osteoporosis, and other age-related diseases.
Losing weight and eating a healthy diet does boost long-term testosterone levels. In addition to a host of other health benefits, losing excess body weight and eating a nutritious, balanced diet indeed increases long-term testosterone levels.
Encourage exercise. Beyond the medical treatments for low testosterone symptoms, Werner is a big believer in the power of exercise. If you can get your partner on the right track or exercise with him, it can really help. “The first step is to begin exercise, even modest exercise, as soon possible,” he says.
Treating normal aging with testosterone therapy is not advisable. If you don't have a medical condition that's contributing to your decline in testosterone levels, your doctor might suggest natural ways to boost testosterone, such as losing weight and increasing muscle mass through resistance exercise.
Low testosterone is nothing to be embarrassed about, but for some men, the symptoms this condition can cause can feel embarrassing to discuss. Without help, this condition won't go away on its own.
The only way to know your testosterone level is with a blood test. You may talk to your healthcare provider about a testosterone level test if you have symptoms of low testosterone.
How to test testosterone levels? You can check testosterone levels with an at-home test or at a clinic. The Everlywell test uses a small, finger prick blood sample that you collect at home. You then mail the sample to a lab and get your results online.
For men who are prescribed testosterone replacement therapy, it usually takes three to six months to work, Farooq says. "Some men may see improvement sooner, but for most men it's a gradual process,” Farooq says. “Don't expect a miracle overnight."
Most men feel improvement in symptoms within four to six weeks of taking testosterone replacement therapy, although changes like increases in muscle mass may take from three to six months.
Specific Signs/Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency (TD)
Loss of body hair. Less beard growth. Loss of lean muscle mass. Feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
The hormone also plays a role in your state of mind, including how well your brain works. That's why low testosterone has been linked with symptoms such as mood swings, increased stress, and depression.
But by 15 to 16 years old, the ng/dL should be 100-1,200. Late Teens: Anyone between 17 to 18 years old should have testosterone levels between 300 and 1,200 ng/dL. Adults: An adult (19 years and older) should have anywhere between 240 and 950 ng/dL.
There's no specific age at which erectile dysfunction (ED) starts. But ED is much more likely after the age of 50. Although you can't change your age, you can take steps to improve your overall physical health and prevent weight gain, heart disease, and diabetes.
Common physical causes of erectile dysfunction include heart disease, diabetes, nerve damage and high blood pressure. Hormonal issues, such as low testosterone, can also affect your level of sexual desire, which may stop you from getting an erection even with Viagra.