5 Warning Signs of Low Testosterone (and How To Fix It)

It's normal for your body to change as you get older. While certain symptoms are common, like grey hair or slight weight gain, others are a cause for concern. For men, one of the most typical problems you might run into is low testosterone.

This can make you feel exhausted and depressed. Fortunately, once you can identify the different signs of low testosterone, you'll be able to take the first steps necessary to getting treatment. 

Ready to learn more about the warning signs of low testosterone? Let's get started.

1. Low Sex Drive

Testosterone is responsible for high libido in men. When there's a decrease in testosterone, it can cause your sex drive to decrease. It's a common worry among men that their sexual performance will decrease, and declining testosterone can cause that to happen.

As you get older, reduced interest in sex is common. It becomes a problem when it's persistent, and it's tied with fewer erections. 

It's not abnormal for men with low testosterone to have erectile dysfunction. Testosterone alone doesn't cause erections, but it does simulate an area in your brain that produces nitric oxide.

This molecule helps trigger the reactions that cause erections. When testosterone levels are too low, it can cause difficulty in getting or keeping erections. 

2. Emotional Changes

If you've noticed that your emotions are more volatile than usual, it can be because you have low testosterone. Testosterone influences the body, mood, and mental capacity. Men with low testosterone are more likely to be irritable, depressed, or lack focus.

Many of these symptoms fall under “andropause,” which is the male equivalent of menopause in women. Usually, women experience a quick drop in their homes when they go through menopause. For men going through a decline in testosterone, that is more gradual. 

The emotional mood swings that occur from low testosterone can be as frustrating as the physical ones. That’s why it’s crucial that you check with a doctor if you’re stressed or irritable with no obvious reason why. 

3. Decrease in Muscle Mass

Testosterone helps build muscle mass, and low testosterone turns muscle to fat. This hormone is responsible for helping you develop impressive muscles. When those levels are low, estrogen takes over.

Estrogen will make you gain weight on your chest and around your belly. You might notice that you feel weaker and less energetic, then there will be an obvious decrease in muscle mass.

Muscle cells have androgen receptors, which are intended for testosterone. When testosterone binds to these receptors, muscle fibers are maintained. Without testosterone, the muscle is degraded because there’s no more maintenance.

In addition to decreased muscle mass, you might experience weight gain. Low testosterone might become more evident when you see your midsection rapidly. It's also associated with weight gain because low testosterone can decrease motivation, which means less exercise and making healthy meals at home.

4. Change in Cognitive Function

Outside of emotional changes, testosterone levels can cause memory decline. Learning new information is processed less carefully, and it's easy to let details slip. This is somewhat expected as you get older but doctors theorize that low levels of testosterone could be affecting your memory. 

Sometimes it's due to having a "senior moment" for people over the age of 60, but perhaps it's also a decline in hormone levels. Studies show that there are connections between high testosterone levels in midlife and better preservation of tissues in the brain. 

If you find yourself forgetting things more easily or aren't as sharp as you'd like to be, you can potentially blame it on low testosterone. When you take testosterone boosters or seek treatment, you'll be surprised by how quickly you begin to see a difference! 

5. Less Energy

Men gradually lose testosterone as they age. With testosterone working as hard as it does to keep muscles strong and your mood balanced, it can be discouraging to notice a sudden change in energy levels. 

Significant drops in testosterone will make you less interested in sex and, generally, most physical activity. Partially because you'll feel fatigued, but you also won't feel motivated to do anything but take it easy. Some people may be okay with that, but it's understandable if you want to keep your energy levels high. 

If you're looking to fight fatigue but aren't ready for serious treatment, there's a handful of lifestyle changes you can make.

First, you'll want to make sure you're getting plenty of sleep. This is when men produce most of their testosterone. Less sleep, less testosterone.

You'll also want to eat a healthy diet, especially one that is low in saturated fat. Be sure to incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables. Also, take it easy on the alcohol and coffee.

Finally, as tired as you may be, hit the gym. Breaking a sweat is a natural way to increase testosterone levels. You don't even need a membership; even walking around or riding a bike helps.

Warning Signs of Low Testosterone

Testosterone is a hormone required for male development and is produced in the testicles. It's responsible for building bone and muscle mass and sperm production as well. When your body produces a low amount of testosterone, it can negatively affect your physical and mental health.

There are different signs of low testosterone to look out for. Some may not be connected to hormonal changes, but it's good to look for treatment if you notice multiple warning signs.

Another great option is to check out our variety of all-natural male enhancement supplements! They're sure to have you feeling great and bring the bedroom back to life.