Testosterone is an important sex hormone that plays a vital role in the body. In men, this hormone regulates libido generative sex drive, fat distribution, bone mass, muscle strength and mass, and the production of sperms and red blood cells.
In this article, you will understand the importance of maintaining testosterone levels and the link between low levels and depression.
What does testosterone do?
Estrogen and testosterone are the two main sex hormones. Males and females both produce these hormones. However, males produce more testosterone than females, and females produce more estrogen than males.
When a boy hits puberty, testosterone is responsible for the growth of sex organs. This hormone also supports the growth of male physical attributes, for example, broader shoulders, growth of facial hair, and denser muscle development.
The rise in testosterone levels with the help and contribution of other factors causes sexual excitement. Throughout the day, testosterone levels rise and fall. Usually, in the mornings, some men feel more excited due to higher testosterone levels.
Testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the course of a man’s life and gradually decline as he grows older. This implies that as men grow older past the age of 30 years, they become less interested in sex and possibly have fewer firm erections, and softer muscle tone.
Causes of Low Testosterone
As a man ages, testosterone production gradually drops in his body. This decline is natural and starts after the age of 30 and drops about 1% each year throughout his life. Apart from aging, you may also find many causes that lead to low testosterone levels. Some of the causes are mentioned below:
HIV or AIDS- Treatment of cancer such as chemotherapy
- Injury to the testicles
- Inflammatory diseases, for instance, tuberculosis or sarcoidosis
- Testicular tumors
- Pituitary disorders
- Rumors or dysfunctions in the pituitary gland
- Alcohol abuse
- Kidney or Chronic Renal failure
- Chronic (long-term) or Acute (short-term) illness
- Various medications
- Metabolic disorders
- Various injuries or infections
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Extreme weight loss or obesity
Symptoms of Late-Onset Hypogonadism
Low testosterone levels are also the reason for increased mortality in men. Late-onset hypogonadism or Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome is now a well-known medical condition in which, however, many symptoms are linked with normal aging.
Here are some symptoms of late-onset hypogonadism:
- Increased abdominal fat mass
- A decrease in bone density minerals and bone mass
- Skin changes
- Decreased body hair
- Decreased muscle strength and mass
- Anger, depression, and fatigue
- Reduced cognitive function
- Changes in mood
- Decreased libido
- Diminished erectile quality
In testosterone syndrome, you may also experience sexual dysfunction, and this condition is associated with cardiovascular disease and metabolic disease.
The degree at which testosterone levels decline varies from one man to another, even though a growing number of men are experiencing a reduction in testosterone levels. This also impacts men’s life expectancy. This can lead to age-related factors in a higher number of men. (Source)
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Low level of testosterone depends on your age, and you may feel the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Loss of muscle strength
- Irritability and moodiness
- Difficulties with memory and concentration
- Depressed mood
- Lackness of well-being
- Erectile dysfunction
- Low sex drive
- A decrease in
Other less common symptoms that you might experience are:
- Infertility
- Gynecomastia or breast development
- Increase in body fat
- Osteoporosis or bones getting thin
- A decrease in the growth of body hair
- Mild anemia and a decreased in hemoglobin
Depression and Low Testosterone
Testosterone is not only involved in reproduction but is a very powerful hormone in many different ways. Other than body fat distribution and regulating sex drive, testosterone also helps your body maintain muscle and bone mass, and the body’s production of red blood cells.
Furthermore, testosterone, just like any other sex hormone, has a great impact on your brain in terms of psychological wellness and cognition. Just as normal testosterone levels help in promoting healthy functions of the brain, low levels may disrupt these brain functions, aggravating or causing depression in men.
Most researches are looking into the antidepressant qualities of testosterone, but there isn’t much work on the mechanism of this reaction and how it works.
It is a possibility that the effect of testosterone is on the regions of the brain that changes when people are experiencing depression. These regions include the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex.
Testosterone is also responsible for the productions of natural chemicals in the body, such as cortisol and serotonin, which help in the regulation of mood.
Are you Depressed Due To Low Testosterone?
Diagnosis may become tricky as there are a lot of shared symptoms of depression and a lower level of testosterone. For instance, you may feel anxious, experience difficulty in thinking, feel depressed, and encounter complications in understanding various matters while aging.
Here are some symptoms commonly found in both depression and low level of testosterone:
- Sleep problem
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory problems
- Low sex drive
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Irritability
The physical symptoms of depression and low testosterone levels are different. People who are suffering from depression but have a normal level of testosterone do not feel a decrease in muscle strength and mass and breast swelling.
These symptoms are associated with a low level of testosterone. The physical signs of depression are usually centered on back pain and headache.
If you are feeling irritable, blue, or not yourself, you should visit your doctor to find out if you are suffering from depression as a result of low testosterone levels. With the help of a physical examination and some blood tests, your testosterone level or deficiency of androgen will be determined.
Low Testosterone in Women
A decline in mental health due to the drop in essential hormone levels is not only limited to men. Various studies show that women with low testosterone levels also experience depression. Medical professionals usually diagnose and treat women in postmenopause or perimenopause with a testosterone supplement to increase their levels.
Why Testosterone Boosters?
The diet that we follow in our daily routine is not enough for certain nutrients, which cause you to suffer from reduced production of testosterone. You can cover the bases with the help of a natural supplement. Your goal should be maintaining adequate levels of nutrients in the body for the production of testosterone.
These boosters may have a milder effect than other testosterone treatments but are very useful. You should know that the prescribed testosterone dose your doctor recommends will raise the levels, but these boosters will naturally maximize the production.
Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus Terrestris is a popular testosterone booster. However, it is not proved scientifically. Some studies support that this ingredient has a positive effect on libido, and has the ability to improve performance during sex.
ZMA
ZMA is a mixture of vitamin B6, magnesium, and zinc, which is responsible for boosting testosterone and works as a potent sleep enhancer. Zinc is a significant mineral that is involved in the production of testosterone.
However, almost everyone lacks the appropriate amount of zinc in their diet. If you are taking this supplement daily before you sleep, it is possible to produce enough testosterone in the body.
D-Aspartic Acid
D-aspartic acid is an ingredient found in many boosters and works in the best way to optimize natural testosterone levels. It helps in producing and releasing testosterone.
This ingredient is an amino acid found in the human body naturally, so if you are taking this acid as a supplement, it will make sure to maintain the levels in the body in order to produce more testosterone.
Vitamin D
This vitamin that you receive from the sun is also essential for the production of testosterone in the body. If you have a Vitamin D deficiency, you can experience a lot of negative side effects. So you should always take this vitamin anyways, even if you are not worried about your testosterone levels.
Conclusion
Testosterone is really essential for both women and men, and there are a lot of chances that you are not producing enough testosterone as you should. While there are many other ways to boost your level of testosterone, taking testosterone boosters is the best way of all.
These boosters are legal and, without any side effects, balance the production of testosterone in your body. These boosters are way better than traditional anabolic drugs, which are illegal.
You can find the ingredients mentioned above in different supplement blends, or you can choose individually as per your preference. Consult with your doctor and check if you have any other health issues. If not, you can increase your testosterone levels with these natural testosterone boosters.
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