Over the years, testosterone is the main factor known to develop the physical attributes of men. It is the primary hormone produced in men; however, it is also provided in women but much smaller.
Testosterone is produced in the testes of a man, following from the response of the signals from the pituitary gland. Testosterone and DHT (a type of hormone which is synthesized directly from testosterone) are responsible for the main changes in the physical aspect that occurs in males during puberty.
It develops the secondary qualities in men like muscle growth and sperm production. It is essential for bodily activities that go on in both men and women.
In men, the primary function of testosterone is to:
- Enhance sex drive and libido
- Achieve and maintain an erection
- Produce sperm
- Produce red blood cells
- Develop bone density
- Enhance the mood
- Aid in the growth of body and facial hair
- Develop muscle mass.
What is a low testosterone level?
Low testosterone is known as the inability of a man to produce enough and sufficient levels of testosterone. There are various reasons why this occurs in men, and they include:
- Ageing: As men begin to age, the level of testosterone in their body begins to decline. This occurrence is regular and natural because it occurs in every man as he gets older.
- Infection of the testicles
- Injury to the testicles
- Use of medications like chemotherapy or radiation for treating cancer
- Abuse of alcohol
- Abuse of drugs
- Smoking of tobacco
- Tumors or dysfunction of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
- Kallman syndrome (this is the abnormal development of the hypothalamus. It is known as the gland that is located in the brain and controls several hormones).
- Klinefelter syndrome(this is a genetic condition in which a male is given birth to an additional copy of the X chromosome, also known as XXY syndrome).
There are numerous effects of low testosterone in men, and they are all negative. Some of these effects include:
Low sex drive
Testosterone is responsible for the heightened interest of sex in men. It plays a significant role in the level of sex drive or libido in a man. A person with a lowered testosterone level is likely to suffer from low libido.
Difficulty with erection
As testosterone aids in heightening the level of interest in sex in a man, it is also responsible for achieving an erection. Testosterone stimulates the various chemical reactions that bring about an erection.
When the level of testosterone in a man is too low, he would have problems in achieving and maintaining an erection otherwise known as erectile dysfunction.
However, other health problems can cause erectile dysfunction, such as diabetes, thyroid problems, smoking, depression, stress, anxiety and high blood pressure.
Low semen volume
Testosterone is also responsible for the production of semen in men. Sperm is the milky fluid which men ejaculate. Most men with lowered testosterone levels are likely to experience a smaller amount of semen ejaculated during sex or masturbation.
Loss of hair
Testosterone plays a vital role in the growth of hair in both males and females. As the level of testosterone begins to decline, men begin to experience loss of hair while some women can experience male pattern baldness.
Loss of muscle mass
Testosterone is known for the development of muscle mass. With a decline in the testosterone levels of a man, the muscle mass would also decrease. Research has shown that a reduction in your muscle mass does not affect your strength or function.
Smaller testicle size
A reduction in your testosterone level can aid in contributing to a smaller-sized testicle, because of testosterone aids in the significant development of the testes and penis.
How to boost your testosterone level
A reduction in your testosterone level is perfectly normal as you begin to age. However, there are various ways in which you can boost your testosterone levels, and they include:
Regular exercise and a proper diet
Regular exercise has been seen to be a proven way to boost your testosterone levels. Studies have shown that you should not exercise too much, but rather exercise moderately.
Having a proper diet regimen is also a proven way to increase your testosterone levels. Note that you should not eat too little and not overeat to maintain a healthy level of testosterone level.
Natural boosters
There are specific natural boosters which aid in increasing your testosterone level. These natural boosters include getting a good night’s rest, getting enough zinc, going easy on the sugar.
You can also add some specific types of food like oysters, ginger, pomegranates, poultry, nuts, whole grains, lobsters, beans and milk.
What is sex drive?
Sex drive is also known as libido, means the interest or enthusiasm in having sex. The presence or absence of sex drive is an indication of whether your overall physical and mental health is functioning correctly. Factors which can cause a reduction in your sex drive include:
- Chronic diseases
- Fatigue or tired level
- Stress, anxiety or depression
- Life circumstances
- Poor relationship
- Some specific type of medications
- Menopause
- Religious mandates
- Abuse of alcohol and drugs.
What is the average sex drive?
There are various conditions of low libido and high libido cases, but there is no stipulated range of acceptable libido levels. Sex drive levels can only become a problem when it becomes a problem for both you and your partner.
A couple can agree to have sex once or twice a week, or even once or twice a month; whatever works best for them is what they ought to do.
Hormone therapies that can assist you in finding your sex drive
Numerous therapies can help in boosting your testosterone levels, which would, in turn, increase your sex drive. The best out of them all is the testosterone replacement therapy.
By using testosterone replacement therapy from a reliable source, you can boost your testosterone levels, and your libido would automatically increase. It can be administered through numerous ways like injections, patches, gels or creams and drugs.
General health factor that is behind sex drive and lifestyle
If you know you want to achieve a pleasurable sex drive to enjoy sex to the fullest, researchers have recommended a few things you ought to do. You are expected to eat well, live a healthy lifestyle, exercise regularly but moderately and sleep or rest adequately.
What to consider to increasing your sex drive
There are various ways of increasing your sex drive. If you want to increase your sex drive, you can start by increasing your testosterone levels through the use of testosterone supplements.
Numerous testosterone boosters are tested and trusted to boost your testosterone levels, which would, in turn, increase your sex drive. There is a way to boost your testosterone through the use of some herbs like Chinese ginseng, cordyceps, damiana, ginkgo Biloba, maca and Muira Pauma.
Does testosterone increase sex drive?
Testosterone is the primary hormone that stimulates the sex drive in men psychologically. Researchers have linked it that testosterone increases sex drive because lowered testosterone levels result in a decreased libido.
Low testosterone and sex
Low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism, is a condition where the level of testosterone in the blood is abnormally low.
In men, low testosterone can cause erectile dysfunction, a reduction in your sperm count, infertility and low sex drive. With a lowered testosterone level, the level of interest you would have in sex would automatically decrease.
Does low testosterone cause ED?
Low testosterone also aids in causing erectile dysfunction. You can engage in testosterone replacement therapy.
But make sure that you are diagnosed with low testosterone levels before you engage in testosterone replacement therapy. This is because; testosterone replacement therapy is not likely to cure erectile dysfunction.
What is testosterone replacement therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy is a treatment used for men with low testosterone levels. It increases testosterone levels in man through various ways like skin patches, gels or cream, injections, surgically implanted pellets and tablets.
If your testosterone replacement therapy is administered from a reliable source, there is no need to bother about any side effects.
Conclusion
Testosterone is the primary hormone produced in men; it is responsible for the development of the sex organs in a man, both inner and outer.
Testosterone also has numerous functions such as the development of bone density and muscle mass, production of red blood cells and sperm, growth of facial and body hair, broad shoulders and a deepened voice.
Sex drive is the enthusiasm and interest in having sex. The level of testosterone in a man gravely affects the level of sex drive he experiences; once he has a high level of testosterone, he would crave for sex the more and vice-versa.
Low testosterone in a man leads to low sex drive, which is caused by numerous factors like an injury to the testicles, infection, tumors and medications.
However, low testosterone levels can be treated using testosterone boosters or testosterone replacement therapy from reliable sources, which would boost your sex drive.
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