As men get older, their bodies experience several changes that can impact their physical and mental well-being. Perhaps the most significant and least talked about problem in men is low testosterone levels at this stage and its impact. According to Evan Bass Men’s Clinic, testosterone, the major male sex hormone, is responsible for keeping energy levels, muscle mass, bone density, and sexual function intact.
A decline in testosterone is a natural phenomenon with advancing age. By the time they are in their mid-40s to 50s, most men start feeling low testosterone symptoms and hence suffer considerably from the viewpoint of their energy level and quality of life. This article aims to focus on the reasons for it and its solution.
The Fact of Testosterone
The level of testosterone in the male body starts to decline by the end of the 20s. The decline is about 1% every year. The vast majority of men in their s mid-40s or onset 50’s start experiencing some noticeable decline in their energy level, gradual muscle loss, lack of libido, and multiple other factors. These changes often lead to worry, stress, and emotional issues making the drop of testosterone faster than normal.
Several factors contribute to the decline of testosterone levels in men during their 50s:
Age: With the advancing of age, the capacity of the human body to produce testosterone decreases. The pituitary gland, which sends signals to the testes for testosterone production, tends to perform poorly.
Lifestyle factors: Both poor nutrition and lack of exercise, in conjunction with high stress, bring about a negative effect on testosterone levels. Furthermore, factors such as obesity decrease testosterone levels also become evident, since excess fat increases the production of estrogen, which, in turn, suppresses testosterone.
Health conditions: Specific chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea tend to exist alongside low levels of testosterone. Moreover, the medications used to manage them interfere with the production of testosterone.
Environmental toxins: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals harvested from plastics, pesticides, and other environmental pollutants can slow hormone production, which generally results in lower testosterone levels.
TRT as a Solution
According to Evan Bass Men’s Clinic, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has come out as a well-recognized and effective means of treating men with low testosterone symptoms. The therapy consists of restoring testosterone levels with supplementation by various means-injections, gels, patches, or pellets. The ideal outcome of TRT should be an increase in testosterone levels to a normal range with a decrease in symptoms such as fatigue, low libido, muscle wasting, and depressive episodes.
Before the procedure, a test must have been conducted to evaluate testosterone deficiency level or its severity as it helps decide the suitable testosterone replacement therapy to maximize the outcome. TRT is not ideal for everyone especially those with a history of prostate cancer.
Last but not least, For TRT to be successful, patients need to make some lifestyle changes. This includes diet, exercise, sleep, and stress. To maximize results with TRT, patients should have a proper diet, exercise regularly, and limit alcohol or smoking.