The Myth Of “Male Menopause”: Get The Facts On Aging And Testosterone

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What causes testosterone decline?

While testosterone decline will happen, the speed at which it occurs can depend on a lot of different things. As mentioned above, testosterone will decline naturally even in healthy men. But it can be influenced by certain chronic medical conditions like HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, depression, and being overweight. Other factors induce hormone and genetic disorders.

There are also certain medical treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation-based treatments, that can lower testosterone, as well as certain medications. Since testosterone is produced in the testicles, a testicular injury can also negatively affect levels of the hormone.

 

What are the symptoms of low testosterone?

Low-T is usually diagnosed through a series of blood tests. Having low levels of testosterone can manifest itself in a variety of different ways, including:

  • Low levels of energy
  • Low or diminished sex drive
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of body hair
  • Increase in body fat
  • Reduced muscle mass and bone density
  • Gynecomastia (male breast development)
  • Hot flashes (very rare)

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