Go to any sporting event, and you'll see plenty of signs of 'high testosterone'. But if you're tired, losing hair and interest in sex, you may actually need more testosterone.
It is a popular idea that aggressive behavior in men occurs because of testosterone. Yet current research efforts in the field of endocrinology have found that low levels of testosterone in men may be the cause of irritability and edginess.
Go to any football game in the fourth quarter, boxing match, or rowdy soccer crowd and you will find behavior that is often associated with "high testosterone" levels. But if you're like most men, you're probably unclear about the role that testosterone plays in your health. One telephone survey conducted by a leading market research firm found that 68% of men don't know the symptoms of low testosterone levels, and that most men think of hormone replacement therapy as a women's issue.
As the primary sex hormone in men, testosterone plays a complex role. Before birth, testosterone causes the developing male fetus to differentiate from the female. During puberty, it acts as the "masculinizing" hormone, creating the distinctive male features of a deeper voice, facial hair, and bulkier muscles. But testosterone is responsible for more than just the development of male characteristics at crucial lifecycle stages. Research has shown that testosterone also influences sexual drive, energy levels, and mood.
What Testosterone Does: A Quick Lifestage Review
Pre-natal and birth: Testosterone, the most important of the androgens (male sex hormones), plays a primary role in the seventh or eighth month in the development of a growing male fetus. Stimulated by a hormone in the placenta, testosterone causes the migration of the fetal testes from an area near the kidneys into the scrotum. After birth, testosterone sensitizes the genitalia to respond appropriately when puberty arrives.
Puberty: At the onset of puberty, testosterone secretion is increased. This creates growth of the testes and scrotum, and stimulates the appearance of pubic and facial hair. These higher testosterone levels also activate sperm production, cause the penis to grow, and help with the development of the prostate gland. Testosterone is also responsible for the enlargement of the larynx and the lengthening and thickening of the vocal cords. Once maturity has been achieved, the body's level of circulating testosterone fluctuates regularly. The hormone has daily and seasonal cycles; levels rise overnight and are the highest in the fall. Exercise can also affect testosterone level. Research at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln has shown that post-exercise, circulating testosterone levels can rise as much as 20% from pre-exercise levels.
Adulthood: Throughout life, testosterone helps men maintain lean body mass, promotes and maintains bone tissue, and acts as the "desire driver" to a healthy libido. It is also generally accepted that normal levels of the hormone contribute to good health and keep bad moods at bay.
Aging and the Male "Menopause"
Many men find it difficult to speak with their medical practitioner about the symptoms associated with low testosterone. These symptoms include decreased sexual drive, impotence, lethargy or loss of energy, fatigue, decrease in lean muscle mass, and loss of facial and body hair. While these symptoms could be caused by a number of conditions, they may well be attributed to hypogonadism (undersecretion of testosterone by the testes). This condition affects approximately four to five million men, but it is estimated that only about 5% receive testosterone replacement therapy.
Recognition of the problem has been growing in the medical community. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) recently developed guidelines for test procedures to assess men who exhibit the symptoms of hypogonadism. New research in the area of hormone replacement therapy has prompted drug manufacturers to develop new treatments. A number of options are now available including intramuscular injections, tablets, and two types of "patches."
Symptoms similar to those associated with hypogonadism are often experienced by men over 60, and there is some speculation as to whether there is a male "menopause" analogous to what women experience as they grow older and their estrogen levels begin to fall. Diminishing testosterone levels are a normal part of the aging process, but researchers are just beginning to learn whether testosterone replacement therapy could prove helpful to older men.
One six month study found that grip strength, balance, red blood cell count, and memory all improved when a group of men age 50 and older with low testosterone levels were given testosterone injections. Another study showed that lean body mass and muscle strength increased with testosterone replacement. And still another study indicated that testosterone may help protect the heart by raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels, which are associated with reduced heart disease.
However, the initial research is not conclusive. There are a number of side effects that must be carefully monitored before embarking on long-term testosterone replacement therapy. Hormonal treatments can cause an increase in red blood cells and the risk of stroke. Testosterone replacement can also promote the growth of existing prostate cancer, although it will not cause the cancer to develop. And testosterone replacement reduces the body's ability to make its own supply, creating a lifetime dependency.
Testosterone is an important element for a healthy life and is crucial to sexual vitality, health, and well-being. If you suspect that you may have a hormonal imbalance, check with your medical practitioner.
Resources
The American Association of Endocrinologists
http://www.aace.com/
The Testicular Cancer Resource Center
http://www.acor.org/diseases/TC/index.html
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
