Testosterone is a vital hormone in men that optimises functions like the development of bones and the production of sperm. It is also the cause of voice deepening and hair growth in adolescence.
Naturally, testosterone levels decrease as men age, which is nothing to worry about in middle-aged or older men. Unfortunately, younger persons can experience significantly low testosterone even before getting to 30, which is about the age when levels are reduced by about 1 per cent every year.
Insufficient testosterone production has various causes, but they mainly have to do with one’s lifestyle. The consequences can be detrimental to a healthy and happy life, which is why adolescents and young adults must prioritise certain aspects of their well-being to avoid low testosterone from occurring before 30.
But why does this happen more often among younger men? And what are the possible treatments?
Why is testosterone in men so important?
Testosterone, or the male hormone, is the primary support in a man’s life in regard to the development of male sex organs and sperm increase. At the same time, testosterone boosts the evolution of each male adolescent into adulthood, so it’s an essential element in one’s life.
If there’s not enough testosterone to pump these functions, men can experience muscle mass loss, despite all the efforts to gain mass, fat gain and balding. In the worst case, low testosterone leads to erectile dysfunction and infertility.
Testosterone can also be affected in hypogonadism when autoimmune diseases, inflammations and radiation exposure cause issues with sex hormones and the pituitary gland. Symptoms are similar to low testosterone levels, but the diagnosis process can be more complex.
Why men under 30 can experience low testosterone?
Common causes that may lead to decreased levels of testosterone in younger men include some of the following:
- Increased cholesterol levels
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Alcohol misuse
- Illegal drugs
- Steroids and opiates
At the same time, low T can be triggered by certain medical conditions, from diabetes, AIDS and tumours or injuries affecting the testicles.
Common symptoms of low testosterone
Some upfront symptoms of low testosterone include erectile dysfunction, decreased libido and infertility. Other less apparent affections like rapid hair loss, reduced muscle mass and sleep disturbances might also confuse people and doctors.
In most cases, a simple blood test can determine the stage of testosterone reduction. When it comes to treatment, usual solutions like testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and lifestyle changes such as eating more testosterone-boosting foods are the most successful. But which one is better?
Does changing your lifestyle help in combating low testosterone symptoms?
Most of the time, a healthy lifestyle can prevent the appearance of low testosterone. It can also help increase testosterone levels naturally, meaning that exercising and eating nutritious meals are significant in positive changes.
There isn’t a specific type of exercise for increasing testosterone levels, so men can approach any kind of sport. But when it comes to eating healthier foods, a diet rich in zinc, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant vitamins can help boost testosterone. Therefore, foods high in saturated fats should be avoided. Some helpful foods to be introduced into a healthy diet include seafood, fruits, dairy, ginger and beans.
What about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)?
Doctors prescribe testosterone replacement therapy in case a healthier lifestyle cannot naturally increase testosterone levels, and the blood results indicate this situation. There are many ways to deliver TRT, from skin patches, gels and tablets to injections and implanted pellets. In most cases, the treatment shows results after four to six weeks.
Testosterone therapy can also be a great treatment for hypogonadism, which occurs when men’s bodies don’t produce enough sex hormones in the testes, affecting sperm production. Besides similar symptoms of low testosterone, hypogonadism also causes abnormal breast growth, osteoporosis and loss of body hair.
However, TRT has some downturns too. For example, some people experienced sleep apnoea, acne and limited sperm production. Still, more research is needed to provide a proper framework for the risk of this treatment.
Life after a low testosterone diagnosis
After finding out about the dangers of low testosterone, it’s easy to get fearful of the future. While some are more stressed about their health, others avoid treatment and try to cure it themselves. However, the best thing to do after getting such a diagnosis is to keep calm and follow the doctor’s guidance.
In case one’s low testosterone is caused by another health condition, such as obesity, it’s best to start treating that problem, which might be easier to handle. But if low testosterone is solely caused by certain lifestyle habits, a simple shift of patterns can improve men’s overall well-being.
Regardless of the natural treatment or the TRT, the process of getting better is gradual for every person, which is why patience is essential for achieving outstanding results. Some people may need to change their overall routines, which can be difficult and overwhelming. But building a healthier life for a better future is vital.
Some examples of healthy habits and how to incorporate them
Diet is key to increasing testosterone levels, so eating more fruits and vegetables is paramount. Although some may not enjoy fresh produce, fruits and veggies can be introduced in plenty of delicious dishes, such as smoothies and soups. Still, eating them without additional unhealthy products, such as too much sugar or fatty meats, is best.
Exercising regularly is also important. But building a stable routine takes time, so the gradual process needs to start with a simple run for ten minutes, a light workout, or even a stretch, and increase over a certain period. Exercising can also be introduced by choosing to walk over driving shorter distances and running when the weather’s warm enough to feel comfortable.
Final considerations
Low testosterone levels can greatly affect one’s life for people who want to live healthily and others who wish to have families. Luckily, with early diagnosis, low testosterone can be treated naturally or with other treatments for men to live happy lives.
