5 Effects of Testosterone on the Body
Testosterone is a word that gets thrown around a lot when we talk about male (and female) health. But what is testosterone and what does it do? Testosterone is a hormone found in the human body, particularly in the male testicles. The production of this hormone increases during puberty and begins to dip after age 30. Testosterone is a vital chemical for the human body. Below are a few examples of what testosterone does to the body.
Bulking Up
Testosterone levels in the body correlate to muscle mass and strength. Simply put, higher testosterone builds muscle mass and low testosterone turns muscle into fat. When this hormone is absent the body creates more estrogen, creating and depositing more fat around the chest, hips, belly, and thighs. Belly fat, in particular, produces aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen. Men with lower testosterone levels can reverse the effects of estrogen through weight loss, aerobic exercise, and strength training. The anabolic effects that come from taking performance-enhancing drugs promote muscle building, but also may have some serious side effects.
Up Your Libido
Low libidos are often linked to low testosterone levels in men. Low testosterone can also go hand in hand with many of the conditions connected to erectile dysfunction. Although a decrease in testosterone levels comes with age, a drastic drop in testosterone can lead to decreased libido. Men peak physically around age 30, so older men may experience less interest in sex or have a hard time keeping an erection during sexual activity. These symptoms may seem trivial, but a low libido can lead to depression and create issues within intimate relationships. Natural male enhancement products are a fast and effective way to aid with sexual function. Products such as Erectin help men cope with erectile dysfunction, decreased sexual stamina, orgasms, and performance anxiety. This Erectin review highlights the benefits of male enhancement products.
Grow a Good Beard
Lower levels of the hormone can lead to hair loss on the face, chest, back, legs, and arms. This might not be all bad, but men who are looking for a full beard may be sad to learn that their hormone levels may make it harder for them to grow facial hair. Testosterone treatments may help reverse male-pattern baldness, but this depends on how your hair follicles react to the hormone. Testosterone creates a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). If your hair follicles are more sensitive to DHT, you are more likely to experience hair loss. Unfortunately, this sensitivity is based on your genetics and not necessarily your testosterone levels. This is why bald men may have a full beard and lots of body hair.
Aids in Male Fertility
We know that low testosterone can cause a loss of interest in sex, but it can also affect your fertility. The brain and the pituitary gland help control male fertility. The brain creates gonadotropin-releasing hormones that send a message to the pituitary gland to make luteinizing hormones (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH). Both of these are needed for sperm to be produced. If these are out of balance, then your sperm levels may end up being lower than normal. Easy ways to boost your fertility include losing weight, getting plenty of vitamin D, and exercising. It’s also a good idea to quit using substances like alcohol, drugs, and nicotine.
It’s Not Just Physical
When talking about testosterone, it’s easy to get hung up on the ways it affects people physically. But, testosterone also affects your mental health and mood. Low testosterone levels can contribute to anxiety, depression, irritability, and a diminishing ability to concentrate. What’s even more troubling about this is that these mental health issues are linked so closely to low testosterone that we aren’t exactly sure which comes first. But that’s not to say that men dealing with these issues are hopeless. Men can find help through lifestyle changes, talk therapy, and testosterone hormone replacement.
Testosterone levels directly affect the way we live our lives. Health, sexual function, and mental stability can all be linked to normal testosterone level