What is testosterone, what are its functions in the body and the symptoms of its deficiency, then how is the treatment, and what are the forms of testosterone supplementation (treatment)?
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a sex hormone, and is the main male sex hormone in men, but women also secrete it, and it plays an important role in fertility, muscle mass, fat distribution and red blood cell production.
Testosterone is a type of androgen produced primarily by the testicles in cells called Leydig cells. In women, it is produced by the ovaries, but in a smaller amount.
Does the lack of testosterone affect the erection?
Surprisingly, low testosterone by itself rarely causes erectile dysfunction or impotence.
Low testosterone alone - with no other health problems - accounts for a small minority of men with erectile dysfunction, according to a report in WebMD.
Erection problems are usually caused by atherosclerosis. If the arteries are damaged, the tiny blood vessels that feed the penis cannot expand to provide the strong flow needed for a strong erection.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and high cholesterol are among the three main causes of atherosclerosis and erectile dysfunction.
At the same time, low testosterone is something that works with atherosclerosis in erectile dysfunction.
Studies show that as many as 1 in 3 men who report ED to their doctor have low testosterone.
Experts believe that in men with other factors that cause erectile dysfunction, low testosterone can contribute strongly, making a difficult situation worse.
Also, low testosterone is somehow linked to several conditions that lead to erectile dysfunction:
metabolic syndrome;
obesity.
diabetic.
Although low testosterone is not known to cause it, the association between other medical conditions and low testosterone can be significant.
Testosterone therapy improves sex drive in many men.
However, the risks and benefits of long-term testosterone replacement are unknown, and research trials on testosterone replacement in men are still ongoing, but results are still a long way off.
What is the role of testosterone?
Testosterone in men plays an essential role in:
The development of masculine traits, such as the roughness of the voice.
Sperm production.
concupiscence.
Bone mass.
fat distribution.
Muscle size and strength.
Red blood cell production.
Testosterone production increases significantly during puberty, and begins to decline generally after the age of 30 or 40, and its levels are controlled by the brain and pituitary gland.
Normal testosterone level in the blood of men
The normal range of testosterone in the blood for men is 300-1000 nanograms per deciliter.
Testosterone levels vary during the day, peaking around 8 a.m. and declining throughout the day, tending to be lowest at 8 p.m., and then rising during the night.
Obesity leads to lower levels of testosterone, in contrast losing 1% of body fat can increase levels by 100 points.
Normal testosterone level in the blood of women
The normal range of testosterone in the blood for women is between 15-70 nanograms per deciliter.
How is testosterone deficiency detected?
Testosterone deficiency is detected in men, by conducting a blood analysis, which helps to determine its level in the blood.
Testosterone levels affect everything in men, such as sexual ability, muscle mass, bone density, and red blood cell production.
The chances of hair loss and baldness in men, sleep disturbances and insomnia also increase, and it also plays a role in certain behaviors and psychological fluctuations, according to a report in Deutsche Welle.
And through the Mayo Clinic, urologist Dr. Gregory Broderick encourages men with symptoms of low testosterone to talk to a specialist about these problems.
In most cases, low testosterone levels can be treated with alternative medications.
What are the signs of male hormone deficiency?
According to German urologist Christian Lieber - in statements to the German News Agency - the production of the male hormone "testosterone" declines with age, explaining that the symptoms that indicate this are:
Erection problems.
Decreased sexual desire.
Decreased muscle mass.
Decreased hair density.
overweight.
Testosterone deficiency in men
A low level of testosterone in men leads to problems that are exacerbated by increasing and continuing its low, such as:
Decreased sexual desire.
Impotence (erectile dysfunction).
Low sperm count.
Enlarged breast tissue (gynecomastia).
Loss of body hair.
Muscular atrophy and decreased muscle strength.
Increased body fat.
Osteoporosis.
Mood swings and depression.
Retraction of the testicles.
Treating low testosterone
A 2015 study in the journal JAMA found that sex drive improved in men who had a testosterone level of about 230 nanograms per deciliter—which is considered low—to 500.
The US Food and Drug Administration approves testosterone as a treatment only for men with levels less than 300 nanograms per deciliter.
These men already lack the hormone, so bringing levels back to normal can help restore sex drive and energy.
On the other hand, the use of men whose testosterone level is within the normal range has no benefits, and it also prevents the use of testosterone in order to stimulate sports activity or build muscle.
How to increase testosterone
Lieber said that in addition to drug therapy, the decline in testosterone production can be countered through healthy nutrition, regular exercise, weight loss, and control of blood pressure and blood sugar.
High testosterone in women
A high level of testosterone in women leads to:
baldness;
Voice roughness.
Irregular menstruation.
Body shape change.
Oily skin.
young love.
Increased risk of uterine fibroids.
Causes of low testosterone
Among the causes of low testosterone are the following:
Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney and liver disease.
Pituitary gland problems.
Hypothyroidism.
Testicular problems such as injury, cancer or infection.
obesity;
Testosterone supplement forms
Testosterone replacement therapy is available in several forms, including:
Skin patch (transdermal): A skin patch placed on the arm or upper body.
It is applied once a day, according to a report by WebMed.
Gel: It comes in packs of pure testosterone gel.
Testosterone is absorbed directly through the skin when the gel is applied once a day.
Oral patch: a tablet that sticks to the upper gum above the incisor tooth, and is applied twice a day. It continuously releases testosterone into the blood through the tissues of the mouth.
Injections and implants: Testosterone can also be injected directly into a muscle, or implanted as pellets into soft tissue.
Your body slowly absorbs testosterone into your bloodstream.
testosterone pills
Oral testosterone is available.
However, some experts believe that oral testosterone can have negative effects on the liver.
Using other methods, such as skin patches, gels, oral disintegrating tablets, or injections, the liver is bypassed and testosterone enters directly into the blood.
Benefits of testosterone therapy
Many men report improvements in energy, sex drive, and erection quality.
Testosterone also increases bone density, muscle mass, and insulin sensitivity in some men.
Men also often report an improvement in mood from testosterone replacement.
Whether these effects are barely noticeable or significant, remain highly individual.
Risks of testosterone therapy
Side effects of testosterone replacement therapy often include rash, itching, or irritation at the site where the testosterone is applied.
However, there is also evidence of a possible increased risk of heart attack or stroke associated with testosterone use, and experts stress that the benefits and risks of long-term testosterone therapy are unknown, because no large clinical trials have been conducted yet.
There are some health conditions that experts believe testosterone therapy can worsen:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Prostate cancer.
Sleep Apnea.
blood clots;
Congestive heart failure. Men with severe congestive heart failure should not take testosterone replacement, as it may worsen the condition.