The human body naturally produces testosterone. Both men and women produce testosterone to some degree. However, men produce this hormone at a higher level. It plays a vital role in how humans develop physically and sexually. A man’s sex drive and his sperm production are intrinsically linked to his body’s ability to produce a sufficient amount of this hormone. For men, muscle and bone mass are linked to a sufficient production of this hormone. When a man has low testosterone, the only way to fix it is to visit a doctor.
As with everything else in the body, hormone production slows down as a person ages. It is common for men who have reached 60 years of age to have low testosterone. Once a man reaches 70 or 80 years of age, the chances of him having lower hormone counts increases exponentially. This can produce a number of frustrating symptoms for aging men and often cause them to make frantic calls to a doctor.
Dealing with a Low Sex Drive
It is normal for men to experience some decrease in sexual desire as they get older. However, an individual who has low T is going to feel a drastic drop in his sex drive. In addition to playing a role in sex drive, low T is going to impact a man’s ability to get and maintain an erection. It is important to understand that testosterone is not what causes men to have an erection, but it is what tells the brain to start to produce nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide starts a chemical process that is needed for the erection to happen. However, it if a man is experiencing low T, it may be a challenge for him to achieve or maintain an erection before sexual activity.
It is important to point out that there are a number of factors that can lead to erectile dysfunction and it would not be wise to simply assume that one is dealing with low T because they are having trouble attaining or maintaining an erection. This is something that needs to be evaluated by a doctor.
Issues with Fatigue
Low testosterone levels may cause a man to have extreme fatigue. This means low energy levels that stay low even if you get a sufficient amount of sleep. This condition can cause a person to find it hard to get motivated and exercise.
This leads to another problem that’s connected to low testosterone and that is the loss of muscle mass. A person who is battling with low T may notice a decrease in muscle mass. However, they may not notice a loss of strength or muscle function. Another issue is an increase in body fat. It is not uncommon for men who are battling with this condition to notice enlarged breast tissue.
If you are worried about the effects low testosterone may be having in your health, consider us here at Male Medical Group in San Antonio. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!