Recent studies show declining levels of testosterone in males, compared to previous generations though a lot of things can be affecting this, it is most likely linked to the way we live in the modern world with our sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and environmental pollutants.
Due to the “advancements of industrialisation & technology” which is seen more in developed countries where the workforce transitioned from predominantly physical labour to utilising machines to now the development of technology and computers where people are now working in offices or other stationary roles with limited physical activity even outside of work, because now it has to be a choice.
This advancement also effects the food we consume by making things more convenient but, by adding processes that contain things our bodies do not digest or recognise due to them being synthetic. This doesn’t just affect the food, but also how we package or store things and the chemicals they release which has led to the consequences we are facing now that many are still not fully aware of or do not want to acknowledge as it requires changes to be made in our life.
This decline affects not only our individual health, but the health of society, as lower testosterone levels impacts fertility and conception as well as our perceptions of ourselves and the world and so ends up changing our understanding of masculinity and what is considered normal when it comes to life, aging, mood disorders and cognitive decline as well as the general energy and vitality we can and should possess.
When these hormone levels are below their healthy ranges it can lead to various physical and emotional symptoms which may include:
- Reduced Libido: A decrease in sex drive or a lack of interest in sexual activity.
- Erectile Dysfunction: Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection during sexual activity.
- Fatigue: Persistent feelings of tiredness, reduced energy levels, and a general sense of fatigue.
- Decreased Muscle Mass and Strength: A decline in muscle mass and overall physical strength.
- Increased Body Fat: An increase in body fat, particularly around the abdomen.
- Decreased Bone Density: Weakened bones, potentially leading to conditions like osteoporosis.
- Mood Changes: This can include symptoms like irritability, mood swings, or feelings of sadness or depression.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Reduced mental clarity, focus, or problems with memory.
- Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia, disrupted sleep patterns, or difficulty falling asleep.
- Reduced Motivation: A decrease in motivation, drive, or a sense of purpose.
- Infertility: Low testosterone levels can affect sperm production and fertility.
- Decreased Facial and Body Hair Growth: A reduction in hair growth on the face and body.
- Gynecomastia: The development of enlarged breast tissue in males.
It's crucial to monitor and address hormone levels to maintain optimal health and well-being,
Note: Though I always advocate doing things as “naturally” as possible, for those who maybe a little bit older and have “clinically” low testosterone levels and have the extra money, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be an option to consider. This involves the administration of synthetic or bioidentical testosterone to restore levels to within a healthy range 300-1000 but majority of the time it’s in the middle of that range but is depending on every individual's response. It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before considering this medical intervention as it is not like it comes with 0 risks, and again testosterone levels must be clinically low. For those that may consider the use of synthetic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs where testosterone levels are elevated well beyond what's naturally achievable, you will see a lot of changes especially in sexual and aggressive behaviour. Additionally, it can push the bodily functions influenced by testosterone to levels that may not always be beneficial. This can result in side effects like excessive body hair, hair loss on the head, severe acne, profuse sweating, and overall stress on the body, that can cause abnormal medical problems. Without proper monitoring and consideration, it can even lead to serious health risks and potentially premature death. So, it's vital to thoroughly understand the risks associated with attempting to increase testosterone through synthetic methods.
This is a huge deal, as there is nothing worse than having any of those symptoms and to think its normal, and that you are just the unlucky one that can’t do anything about it, let alone being a kid and thinking that. This is a major contributor towards the extreme rise in depression and anxiety that the male population is facing and something that needs to be spoken about more than what it is, as it affects every element in life.
Your appearance, personality, job capabilities, interests, motivation, relationship dynamics between family and friends but also intimate partners which we are seeing the biggest decline in marriages and children but also extreme rises in divorces and collapsed communities. This isn’t just from low testosterone levels, but it greatly influences these things as it is quite obvious that as a society in the developed world, we have become quite soft which does not do well for the psychology of males and so we need to start taking back control of our lives, because how bad does it have to get, before a global intervention needs to happen?
Continue to - TESTOSTERONE: IT’S WHAT MAKES MEN, MEN, RIGHT?