When testosterone levels are too low, it can cause changes in behavior and increase sex drive. In this article, we will show different signs of low testosterone that can occur in people.
What is testosterone? Testosterone is a natural hormone that is found in both humans and animals. In males, the testicles make the majority of testosterone; in females, the ovaries make smaller amounts.
What causes low testosterone?
Low testosterone levels can be from low production by the testicles, medicine, age, or genetics. When low testosterone levels occur in a male, they may experience a low sex drive, and low sperm count might happen as well.
What are the signs of low testosterone?
The signs of low testosterone depend on age, genetics, and what low levels are experienced. Below are some of the major clues that you might have low testosterone.
Low Sex Drive
Low sex drive or low libido is one of the most common signs of low testosterone. Testosterone releases bursts of energy in both men and women that provoke sexual activity.
People with low levels might not be interested in being sexual, which can lead to relationship issues.
Depression
Depression can be caused by low testosterone levels, especially if a person’s low sex drive causes them to lose interest in life and their hobbies. This might mean they lack motivation, including work, social outings, and relationships with others.
Fatigue
Another sign that your body has low testosterone is fatigue. If you are often tired without an obvious reason, such as sleep deprivation, it could be from low testosterone.
Lack of Strength
People with low testosterone lose muscle strength and tend to be weaker than others of the same gender and age group. The body goes through periods of low testosterone, such as aging, so low levels are not always because something is wrong. When low levels also cause fatigue, low sex drive, and depression, getting checked for low levels might be a good idea.
Loss of Muscle Mass
The most common sign that your body has low testosterone is an increase in fat mass or the loss of muscle mass. This can happen when you lack energy or protein because of low testosterone levels.
Genital Numbness
Another sign of low testosterone is genital numbness or pain. This might be from low energy to even losing ejaculation over time without being able to orgasm. These issues will need a visit to a doctor to learn more about the problem and possible solutions.
Irritability
People with low testosterone often experience mood swings, irritability, and low sex drive. This means that in a situation of low testosterone, the person will be more prone to have outbursts and fits of rage.
This can be caused by low testosterone since low testosterone levels have been shown to cause lower serotonin levels. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. People who are low on testosterone might feel depressed or edgy, especially when they wake up (morning blues).
Low fluid level
Another great sign of low testosterone is low fluid levels. Since low testosterone means low production of sex hormones, low levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estrogen are also to be expected. These low hormone levels can cause less water retention in people, thus leading to low fluid levels in their bodies and further negative symptoms such as muscle cramps or swollen feet. It is advised to increase your fluid intake if you feel you have low fluid levels in your body.
Erectile Dysfunction
When low testosterone levels are severe, the body might develop erectile dysfunction as an additional sign of low T. Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is when a man has difficulty maintaining or obtaining an erection because of low testosterone levels and low blood flow to the genital area. This low blood flow might also prevent ejaculation in men, and with low testosterone levels, low semen volume is usual.
Low Sperm Count
Another sign of low testosterone is low sperm count, which can be tested by a doctor for further evaluation. Low sperm count might occur simultaneously as a depressed sex drive, or it could be caused by other factors such as low fluid level, low body temperature, or aging (40+). While low sperm count does not always mean low testosterone, there are some cases where this occurs because of low hormones, so it is best to consult a doctor to ensure everything is alright.
Testing for Low Testosterone
Since low testosterone causes low sex drive, low muscle mass, and low blood flow to the genital area, among other things, you can notice in your day-to-day life. However, if you want to be sure that something is wrong with your hormones, get a simple test done at the doctor’s office. The low T test includes a low testosterone check and a blood workup that will show the levels of hormones in your body.
American Male Wellness offers testosterone testing and treatments for low T. Call us today to schedule an appointment!