Testosterone, a hormone that is produced in the testicles in
men, defines typically masculine characteristics, such as the severity of the
voice, facial hair, musculature, and sexual capacity.
All men need to have testosterone in order to have a healthy
life physically and psychologically. But the level of this hormone naturally
decreases with age, it is estimated that 2% per year from 30-40 years.
This gradual decrease should not cause health problems but
certain diseases, treatments or injuries can cause lower than normal hormone
levels.
The lack of testosterone is called hypogonadism and is
estimated to affect 5 men in 1. 000, according to data published by the NHS,
the British public health system.
How to know if the level of this hormone is lower than normal?
Fatigue and lethargy
Depression, anxiety, irritability
Less sexual desire, erectile dysfunction or impotence
Less exercise tolerance and less strength
Shaving frequency reduction
Increased sweating and night perspiration
Low concentration or memory
In the long term, hypogonadism can increase the risk of
osteoporosis, a condition that weakens the bones and makes them more fragile
and prone to fractures.
What is hypogonadism?
Hypogonadism is a specific medical condition that is not
part of the normal aging process.
Its late-onset is related to obesity and types 2 diabetes.
Its diagnosis can be made with a series of blood tests to
measure the evolution of the level of testosterone, which can vary greatly
throughout the same day.
If a deficiency is confirmed, the patient is usually
referred to an endocrine specialist.
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tortuous search for the elixir that makes men more virile.
What causes a low level of testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone produced in the testicles whose
regulation is in charge of the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus.
So any disease that affects the pituitary gland or the
hypothalamus can cause hypogonadism.
This condition may also be due to a direct problem with the
testicles, such as surgery, an injury, Klinefelter syndrome, which is a genetic
disorder, or inflammation, known as orchitis.
Infections and liver and kidney diseases, as well as alcohol
abuse, or treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy can also result in a
decrease in testosterone levels.
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And what about the "menopause of men"?
There is a lot of controversy among specialists about
whether the term andropause is correct and whether there really is a
"menopause of men".
According to the NHS, andropause is an unfortunate term
often used by the media to explain certain common symptoms among men aged 40 and
50.
Among those symptoms are depression, loss of sexual desire,
impotence and other physical and emotional symptoms, such as mood swings and
irritability, weakening, breast enlargement and reduction of muscle mass and
the ability to exercise.
Although these common symptoms are very similar to those
caused by a low level of testosterone, the NHS says that in many cases they
have nothing to do with the production of hormones, but with psychological
problems or factors related to lifestyles, such as diet, stress or lack of
sleep.
Even so, these symptoms can interfere with men's daily lives
and affect their well-being, so it is important to consult them with a doctor
to find out what their cause is.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the endocrine can offer
treatments with hormonal supplements that seek to correct the deficiency, and
that can be administered in the form of pills, skin and gum patches, gels and
intramuscular injections.
All these available options have advantages and
disadvantages, as well as certain side effects.
The NHS recommends having regular blood tests during
treatment to monitor that testosterone levels are adequate.
Why do I fall asleep when I read and what can I do to avoid it?
The fashion of medicating with testosterone
During the last decade, testosterone prescriptions for men
have skyrocketed worldwide.
In the United States, sports and news television channels
are full of ads for middle-aged men who are too tired to play basketball or too
cranky to enjoy a romantic dinner are their partners.
The fashion of testosterone supplements to recover sexual
desire (and the dangers of abusing them)
These ads are selling to the public a "new
disease" known as "Low T" or "Low T", testosterone.
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