Middle age can be a hard time for a man. Upon reaching your 40s, it can be all too easy to look back at what you have done and feel anxious about what you have not yet achieved. The ‘mid-life crisis’ is a real thing. You gain a new level of perspective when you reach your middle age, and it can throw you off balance.
For some men, this crisis of perspective is accompanied and amplified by a biological change. The ‘male menopause’ is a rather misleading name used in the press to describe late onset hypogonadism in men. Hypogonadism is where the body stops producing an adequate amount of testosterone. If you think you might have late onset hypogonadism then testosterone replacement therapy techniques can be employed to help give you a new lease of life and a new assurance of masculinity.
Late onset hypogonadism is by no means a rare occurrence. According to the British Medical Journal 4.2% of men between 30 and 50 suffer from it, whilst 8.4% of men between 50 and 79 are affected.
Here are some common symptoms of a falling testosterone level in older men that can be reversed or dampened using testosterone replacement therapy.
Loss Of Libido
Whilst a steady loss of libido is very natural as men age, a sudden drop in sexual desire can indicate hypogonadism, an extreme example of low testosterone. Testosterone is crucial for the stirring up of sexual and reproductive drive in men. Loss of sexual drive can contribute towards low self-esteem and poor relationships. If you do find yourself lacking your sexual drive, don’t beat yourself up about it. Seek help or learn how to adapt to being a less sexual person.
Erectile Dysfunction
As well as sexual drive, testosterone helps regulate sexual function. Men suffering from low testosterone levels often suffer from erectile dysfunction. This can be damaging to your relationships and seriously effect confidence. Although short term solutions such as Viagra are available over the counter, testosterone replacement therapy is far likelier to have a long-term effect on your ability to get and maintain an erection.
Dad Body
Your hormones help regulate the production and distribution of fat in the body. The ratio of testosterone to other hormones, when abnormally low, can cause extra mid-section fat to accumulate. Fat also metabolizes testosterone quickly, so the more fat you gain, the quicker your testosterone levels will drop. This is a somewhat vicious cycle. Weight gain is not always bad, and it is not always linked to low testosterone. However, if you find yourself suddenly gaining weight in conjunction with other hypogonadism symptoms it might be worth getting tested.
Loss of Motivation
Low testosterone can affect your desire to push yourself and achieve your goals. This partially explains the shift in perspective that some men get in middle age, which can be very daunting. It can be hard to motivate yourself when you feel less sexually driven and less in control of your appearance. It is worth remembering, however, that changes in mindset are not always linked to your hormonal health. Mental health can also deteriorate or change as you grow older for other reasons.
