Low Testosterone

Hypogonadism can cause low libido and depression, but testosterone therapy can help you feel like a man again.

Symptoms

  • Low libido
  • Easily fatigued
  • Lethargy
  • Depression
  • Increased body fat
  • Less muscle mass
  • Difficulty with erections

Treatment

Low testosterone levels, or Hypogonadism, can cause a variety of symptoms including less interest in sex (low libido), easy fatigue, lethargy, and depression. In many cases, a man never notices the subtle changes in behavior and it is only noticed and brought to his attention by a spouse or close friends. Hypogonadism occurs when a man’s body no longer makes enough testosterone to satisfy his body’s needs. This leads to feeling fatigued, depressed, as well as having increased body fat, less muscle, a diminished sex drive and a difficulty with erections.

Unlike women, males do not routinely go through menopause. In females, when the ovary expends all of the available eggs, a female will cease producing estrogen (the female hormone) and menopause begins. Everyone is familiar with the constellation of symptoms associated with menopause, which include hot flashes, moodiness, irritability, and diminished sex drive, to name a few. These symptoms are due to the lack of hormone. In a normal male, sperm production never runs out and testosterone production would continue lifelong. The level of hormone production will diminish, however, and the individual may notice signs consistent with a “male menopause.” While hormone production rarely stops completely, the lower levels can definitely cause problems.

In addition to these symptoms, untreated low testosterone levels can lead to a reduction in bone density (osteoporosis). While the symptoms of hypogonadism are similar to a variety of other medical conditions, it is easy to test and see if low testosterone may be contributing to the problem. In men, testosterone is produced largely by the testicles, and to a lesser degree by the adrenal glands. A testosterone test will measure the level of the male hormone (androgen) in the blood.