Testosterone is an indispensable hormone responsible for the proper function of several important bodily processes, particularly sex drive.
Testosterone is a hormone responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics, including that of increased sex drive. Researchers have determined that a diminished sex drive is among the hallmark symptoms of low testosterone.
The full scoop on testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone present in both men and women despite its reputation as being the “male sex hormone.” Men produce testosterone primarily in the testicles and the adrenal glands in response to the pituitary gland’s signals. With dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone is responsible for the physical and sexual changes men experience at puberty, such as genital development, muscle growth, and sperm and seminal fluid production.
The following is a list of characteristics in that testosterone plays key roles:
- Sex drive or libido
- Erectile and reproductive function
- Sperm and seminal fluid production
- Development of bone density and muscle mass
- Red blood cell production
- Mood regulation
- Increased body and facial hair growth
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How does testosterone increase libido?
Researchers aren’t exactly sure how testosterone stimulates male libido, but one thing’s for sure: a low sex drive is a dead giveaway for low testosterone.
According to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS), a team of researchers talked to a sample of over 1,600 men about their libido and then tested their testosterone levels. The scientists discovered that the respondents reporting a lower sex drive were more likely to have low testosterone.
The effect of low testosterone on sex
Low testosterone is a condition wherein testosterone levels are abnormally low (below 300 ng/dL). The Cleveland Clinic estimates that as much as 40% of men in the age 45 and above demographic have low T.
Testosterone levels decline as men age, with most men experiencing an approximately 1% decline every year past 30. The pituitary gland reduces its transmission of signals telling the body to produce testosterone. Simultaneously, a protein known as sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) increases in men as they age, which reduces free testosterone (e.g., active testosterone) present in the body.
Since testosterone is interlinked with so many bodily processes, low T can result in various symptoms that seem to be unrelated. This includes tiredness, diminishing muscle and bone mass, weight gain, low red blood cell production, and low libido, among others.
Low testosterone affects sexual health in the following ways:
- Low sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Lower sperm count
- Reduced sperm and seminal fluid production
- Infertility
Men diagnosed with low testosterone can manage their symptoms by undergoing testosterone replacement therapy.
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Can low T cause ED?
Yes, low testosterone may affect erectile function. However, ED is more likely caused by several other underlying medical and lifestyle factors. If your T levels are otherwise regular, going through a regimen of testosterone therapy may not affect your ED in any tangible way.
If you’re concerned about your testosterone levels, talk to your healthcare provider and see if you can get tested for your T levels through a blood test. T levels are usually taken twice between 7 to 10 AM in the morning, which is when serum testosterone levels are at their highest. The test may be administered on separate days in order to conclusively determine low testosterone (below 300 ng/dL). Low T may be a sign of an underlying chronic health problem.
What are my testosterone therapy options?
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is an FDA-approved treatment to raise testosterone levels and treat its myriad of symptoms. Testosterone can be administered as a skin patch, a topical gel or cream, intramuscular injection, pellets, or oral tablets.
However, it must be noted that one of the primary side effects of testosterone therapy is a reduced sperm count. This is because artificial testosterone may lead to reduced production of testosterone since your body thinks you’re producing enough. Consequently, this might slow down sperm and seminal fluid production, apart from preventing your body from making its own testosterone. The latter may make you dependent on lifelong or long-term testosterone therapy, which could be costly.
Other side effects include the development of breast tissue in men (gynecomastia), prostate enlargement, and reduced fertility. And while the data may be contradicting, the FDA has determined that testosterone therapy may cause cardiovascular health issues down the road.
Worried about your low sex drive or reproductive health problems? Consult your doctor. They will help you rule out other medical conditions that may be responsible for your symptoms and refer you to a specialist for testosterone treatment if needed.
