And how to fix it.
As a man, testosterone is no stranger to you. But do you know what testosterone does and how it works?
Produced by your testicles, testosterone is an important hormone that affects many areas of your body. It is most known for regulating bedroom-related matters, like your sex drive, performance, and satisfaction. However, it also plays a massive role in metabolism, body composition, and bone mass.
Testosterone production decreases by about 1% every year after 30. Thirty-nine percent of US men over the age of 45 have low testosterone. After that, the likelihood of low testosterone grows every decade.
How Low Is Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone, or low-t count, is clinically diagnosed when your testosterone levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). For context, a normal range is set between 300 to 100ng/dL. To determine your level of circulating testosterone, doctors usually use a blood test called the serum testosterone test.
However, you can identify specific symptoms from your body when your testosterone levels are too low. The signs are subtle, so it might be a bit difficult to notice them unless you know what to look out for.
Low Sex Drive
Being a sex hormone, it’s no surprise that low testosterone levels would interfere with your sex drive.
It doesn’t mean that all men with low t-count would experience a lack of sexual appetite, though. Some men with lower testosterone levels can maintain a healthy sex drive, while some with an average t-count experience a lower sex drive. However, when your t-count is low enough, you’d most likely experience a drastic drop in your sex drive.
Erectile Dysfunction/ Difficulties Maintaining An Erection
Testosterone does more than amping up your sex drive—it also helps you achieve and maintain an erection.
The erection process is a long and complicated one involving multiple hormones. Testosterone triggers receptors in your brain to produce nitric oxide. Nitric Oxide is an essential molecule that puts into motion a series of chemical reactions that causes your erection to harden.
When your body creates enough testosterone during the night, you might wake up with morning wood. However, if your testosterone levels are too low, your brain won’t be able to release enough nitric oxide to trigger the reaction process.
Low Semen Output
Another telltale sign of low testosterone count is a lowered semen output. If you notice that your load is much smaller than usual, you might have to check your testosterone levels.
Your seminal gland and your prostate need testosterone to produce semen efficiently. Although there are other reasons for low semen output, a low t-count is often blamed for this problem, especially in younger adults and adults.
A smaller load would also affect your enjoyment and satisfaction. That’s because your body needs more force to ejaculate a bigger load. This isn’t possible if you don’t have enough semen in your testicles.
Looking to up your load? Read our, “We Review Why Semenax is the Best Semen Volume Booster On the Market” blog post to find out how.
Smaller Testicles
Testicles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. So there’s no reason to seek medical help if your testicles are slightly smaller than others. However, if you notice your testicles shrinking dramatically from their usual size, you might be suffering from low testosterone levels.
Your testicles are responsible for two things: creating sperm and secreting testosterone. When your testicles are suddenly smaller, their ability to do their jobs would be diminished. In fact, besides lowering your testosterone level, research shows that smaller testicles are also linked to reduced sperm density and fertility.
Problems With Sleeping
Let’s be honest—you don’t get the recommended amount of sleep every day. But for people with low testosterone count, the problem might be more than procrastination and refusing to go to bed.
Sleep deprivation and low testosterone have a chicken and egg relationship. Your testosterone production peaks during your sleep, which can’t happen if you’re not sleeping well. However, low testosterone has been linked to changes in sleep patterns and insomnia, making it nearly impossible for you to maintain a healthy t-count. Not only that, but some men who experience low testosterone also suffer from sleep apnea.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a natural progression of things if you continue to experience insomnia or sleep problems. But besides that, low testosterone could make you unmotivated and lazy—even if you really wanted to be productive.
That’s because testosterone helps maintain your metabolism and boosts your physical performance.
Don’t get us wrong—it’s normal to feel tired after a long day or an intense workout session. But if you experience fatigue chronically, it might be time to take a closer look at your t-count.
Lowered Muscle Mass And Increased Body Fat
Have you wondered why you get bulkier and pudgier as you age, even if you maintain a relatively healthy lifestyle?
Research shows that testosterone plays a vital role in building muscle and maintaining body composition. Because of this, men with a low t-count might notice a decrease in muscle mass. That being said, some studies have shown, although your muscles are smaller, low testosterone doesn’t necessarily affect strength or function.
Besides that, fat cells produce an enzyme called aromatase that converts testosterone to estrogen. Without enough testosterone in your system, you could end up with an excess of estrogen, which leads to weight gain and obesity.
Unfortunately, like many matters involving testosterone, weight gain and low testosterone trap you in a vicious cycle. Low testosterone makes it harder to lose weight, while excess body fat prevents your body from effectively producing and using testosterone.
Irritability And Mood Swings
It’s not uncommon for men with low testosterone to experience mood swings, stress, and irritability. That’s because the cells in your brain have testosterone receptors that significantly affect your mental health and capacity.
As you get older, you might experience andropause, which is the male equivalent of menopause. Research suggests that men undergoing andropause are more likely to face depression, anxiety, irritability, or a lack of focus. Lack of sleep caused by a low t-count might exacerbate your mental health. This causes more of an impact than in men with a relatively healthy testosterone count.
Memory Loss
Besides mood swings, low t-count can impact your memory and cognitive performance. When your testosterone levels are low, it feels like you’re stuck in a brain fog or that you couldn’t concentrate.
This could be due to a couple of reasons, like not having enough sleep or as an effect of aging. Factors also linked to low t-count. Besides that, testosterone is also related to an increase in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s.
Hair Loss
Many men are aware that balding is a natural part of life. Many don’t realize that it could be caused by plunging testosterone levels.
Besides your sex drive and metabolism, testosterone is also involved in hair production. The lower your t-count, the more likely it is for you to have thinning hair or bald spots all over your body.
How Can I Raise My Testosterone Levels?
Elevating your testosterone levels can be as easy as sleeping early or as tricky as testosterone replacement therapy.
But before you call your doctor, you can start by taking a closer look at your lifestyle. Testosterone is linked to body fat—the more body fat you have, the lower your t-count. People who exercise regularly are also tested for higher testosterone count.
You should also try to avoid high-stress situations. Stress stimulates your body to create cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone. It is directly disproportionate to testosterone production—if cortisol is up, your testosterone levels go down.
Your diet could also play a part in decreasing your t-count. Try to focus on a balanced diet consisting of protein, fat, and carbs. Besides helping you maintain a healthier weight, watching what you eat would also give you the fuel to push hard in the gym.
As we’ve mentioned above, your body produces the most testosterone when you’re sleeping. You should sleep more than 5 hours per night, as anything below is linked to a 15% reduction in testosterone production. Conversely, your body creates 15% more testosterone for every hour you sleep above the minimum threshold.
Take A Natural Testosterone Booster
There are a lot of testosterone boosters on the market, but not all are created the same. Some are designed to be quick cash grabs that offer placebo effects. Others are manufactured under unsafe conditions. Both of which don’t promise optimal results.
Because of this, we’d recommend using VigRX® Tongkat Ali LJ100 to restore your testosterone production naturally. Backed by 13 clinical trials, this daily testosterone supplement is the safest formula on the market.
It is based on the famed Southeast Asian shrubbery (Tongkat Ali) and other organic herbs. These herbs have a track record of naturally elevating your testosterone levels along with your sex drive and erection quality. It can also enhance your physical performance in the gym, raise your energy levels, and help you lose weight.
We know that supplements are not a one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why the most important thing is that VigRX® Tongkat Ali LJ100 offers a 67-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t see your desired results or don’t like the supplement, return it within 67 days for a 100% refund—no questions asked. That way, you can try out the product before you commit to it.
Low testosterone Isn’t Something To Be Afraid Of
Recognizing the signs of low testosterone is half the battle, and employing the right ways to raise your t-count is the other.
The best way to naturally boost your testosterone would be to use a combination of lifestyle changes and a natural testosterone supplement. A supplement like VigRX® Tongkat Ali LJ100. Many users see a noticeable difference within two weeks when they watch their habits alongside taking the supplement. So what are you waiting for?
Find out more in our post, “Do Testosterone Supplements Offer Real Help?.”
