As a man who is always looking to feel your best, it’s important to be aware of how having a hormone imbalance, such as low levels of testosterone, can impact your health. So whether it’s your sex drive that’s starting to wane, noticing you’re gaining weight in your gut, or that you’ve started to lose that muscle mass you’ve been so proud of over the years, here’s what you should remember about how having your hormones out of balance can produce frustrating and serious health issues.
The Arrival of ED
Like most men, you never want ED to pay you a visit. But, unfortunately, if you have a hormone imbalance that involves testosterone, erectile dysfunction is one of the most common signs of low testosterone in men. When your body is not producing adequate amounts of testosterone, your brain is unable to send the necessary signals to your testicles and penis to alert them of your sexual desire. As a result, you may find yourself having trouble getting or maintaining an erection, even if you are sexually aroused.
Low-T Has Many Causes
If you do have a hormonal imbalance involving testosterone, you need to remember that your problem could be caused by a variety of factors. For example, in some instances, you may be taking prescription medications that are interfering with your body’s ability to produce the necessary amount of testosterone. In other situations, you may be significantly overweight due to a lack of exercise and eating a diet high in fat and low in protein. When these factors come together, you may not only have Low-T to worry about but also other serious medical conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular problems.
Natural Solutions
Depending on what may be the root cause of your hormone imbalance, you may be surprised to hear your doctor say that you can likely solve your problem through a variety of natural solutions. For example, if you are dealing with ED despite still having a relatively good sex drive, your doctor may recommend that you lose weight, limit your intake of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products, or even get outside in the sunshine more often, since a Vitamin D deficiency can also play a part in creating a hormone imbalance. Once you start making some easy lifestyle changes, you may get results that are quicker and better than you anticipated.
Getting Tested
When your doctor suspects you may have a hormone imbalance, they will want to run a blood test to see if your imbalance is due to the natural aging process or if you are suffering from hypogonadism, which is a condition where your body’s testicles or pituitary gland are not producing enough testosterone. Since testosterone levels tend to be highest when you first wake up in the morning and lowest in the evening, your doctor may want to conduct two blood tests, one during the early morning hours and the other when your stomach is empty. Known as a Total-T Test, this can give your doctor valuable information that can be used to formulate an effective treatment plan.
A Lack of Sperm
If you and your partner are perhaps trying to start a family but coming up short in terms of getting pregnant, a low level of testosterone could mean you are dealing with a low sperm count. Unfortunately, getting this news may also lead you to feel like less of a man, which can bring on additional problems like performance anxiety and depression. If your sperm count is low, your doctor may suggest a combination of natural and medical solutions to your problem, including:
- Reducing your stress levels
- Getting a good night’s sleep
- Testosterone gels, patches, or creams
A men’s health issue that is easier to correct than most men realize, having an honest discussion with your doctor can be the first step to getting your sperm count back to normal.
Bottom Line
Since a hormonal imbalance is often what’s behind many common men’s health issues, don’t ignore your health problems and assume things will get back to normal on their own. Instead, meet with your doctor, find out if you do have a hormone imbalance, and get started on the best type of treatment plan for your situation.