Are you feeling tired, losing hair, struggling with muscle mass, and noticing a decrease in your libido? If so, it’s likely you’re suffering from low testosterone.
Testosterone is produced in the testicles and is a hormone responsible for sperm production, muscle growth, and growth of the male genitals. Without enough testosterone, men don’t feel normal, so it’s important to be aware of a few health facts about this hormone.
Curious about what causes low levels of testosterone in men? If so, keep reading to find some of the most common causes.
Poor Sleep
If you’re consistently sleeping poorly, this can lead to low testosterone levels. This is because your body replenishes testosterone levels while you sleep, so without enough sleep, your body doesn’t have time to get the job done.
Of course, one major factor leading to poor sleep is alcohol consumption, which is also bad for your health. If you can aim to live a healthy lifestyle and reduce your use of alcohol, your body will thank you.
It can help to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, developing a consistent routine. Avoiding liquids and caffeine in the evenings can also help.
Damage or Injury to Testicles
If you’re missing a testicle or have an injury to that part of your body, this is going to lead to low levels. This also applies to people who’ve had testicular cancer—if a testicle was removed during cancer treatment, these men often take testosterone treatment for the rest of their lives.
Or, if you’ve injured a testicle, such as in a sporting accident, this can lower your levels.
Chemotherapy
For cancer patients, chemotherapy can be an effective way to kill cancer cells. Unfortunately, the process can also damage healthy cells, making it hard on your body.
Research has shown that chemo can lead to issues with low testosterone in men under 50, along with side effects like loss of muscle mass and low libido.
Diabetes
Men with Type 2 Diabetes can also suffer from low testosterone levels. Symptoms like insulin resistance are linked to lower testosterone levels.
Genetic Disorders
Men born with certain types of genetic disorders are also at risk. These include Klinefelter syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, and Kallmann syndrome.
However, men born with other health disorders, like delayed puberty and pituitary disease also tend to have low testosterone.
These Health Facts Will Help You Better Understand Low Testosterone
With so many health facts to know about low testosterone, all men should know what can cause low levels. If you’re noticing symptoms of low testosterone, always make an appointment to talk to your doctor.
After a few tests, they can help you work out the cause and provide treatments so you can feel like yourself again. Get started today by visiting your doctor and being proactive about your health!
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