Known as the 'male hormone', testosterone plays a key role in the development and maintenance of male sexual function, physical health and overall wellbeing.
With an expert understanding of testosterone and its impact on the body and mind, Stephanie Smith-Rowles from Gloucestershire's only dedicated men's health clinic, Aubergine Physio, shares the signs of low testosterone to watch out for — and how it can be treated.
How does low testosterone affect men?
Testosterone is commonly known as the 'male hormone' and influences several essential functions in the body, including muscle mass, bone density and sexual health — as well as having a huge impact on mood.
As men age, their testosterone levels naturally begin to decline — this typically starts around the age of 30 and continues progressively over time. By the time men reach their 40s and 50s, they may notice more symptoms of low testosterone, but the speed and amount by which testosterone levels decrease can vary from person to person.
Although a gradual decline is normal, it's important to seek advice if you're affected by symptoms of low testosterone, as treatment and support is available.
What are the symptoms of low testosterone in men?
Low testosterone levels can present in many ways. Some of the common symptoms to watch out for include:
- Reduced sexual desire or libido
- Erectile dysfunction or difficulty maintaining erections
- Decreased energy and increased fatigue
- Loss of muscle mass and strength
- Increased body fat, especially around the abdomen
- Mood changes, such as irritability, depression or anxiety
- Memory difficulties or trouble concentrating
- Decreased bone density, leading to an increased risk of fractures
- Reduced body hair and thinning of facial hair
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be worth investigating whether low testosterone levels could be a contributing factor.
What does low testosterone do to the body?
Testosterone plays an important role in men's sexual development and erectile function — which means, although it's not the only factor, low testosterone levels can make it more difficult for men to achieve and maintain an erection, thus affecting sexual performance.
As a hormone, testosterone helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, fat distribution and cognitive function, so men with low testosterone may experience issues with their metabolism or lack mental clarity and focus.
Low testosterone has also been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
How do you know if you have low testosterone?
We recommend using the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM) test, which is a simple self-assessment tool.
Consider the following questions. If you answer 'yes' to more than three, it may indicate that you have low testosterone:
- Have you noticed a decrease in your sex drive?
- Do you feel a lack of energy?
- Have you lost strength or endurance?
- Have you noticed a decreased enjoyment of life?
- Are you feeling sad or grumpy?
- Are your erections less strong?
- Have you noticed a recent deterioration in your ability to play sports?
- Are you falling asleep after dinner?
- Has there been a recent deterioration in your work performance?
Although the ADAM questionnaire can give a good indication, it's important to note that you need a blood test to accurately determine whether you have low testosterone or not.
How is low testosterone treated?
Certain lifestyle changes can help to ease your symptoms — for example, increasing the amount of physical exercise you do; cutting down on drinking alcohol and smoking; and eating a healthier diet can all contribute towards healthy hormone levels.
Here at Aubergine Physio, we use outcome measures to track your quality of life, mood and energy levels, which are regularly reviewed to ensure your treatment plan is tailored to your specific needs.
We also refer our patients who have a score of three or more on the ADAM questionnaire to Alphagenix, which is a leading men's heath and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) clinic operating across the UK.
Alphagenix offers both hormone screening and TRT for men with clinically diagnosed low testosterone levels. You'll be asked to have a blood test, either at one of its clinics or from home, along with a simple online consultation with a TRT specialist doctor.
Based on your results, Alphagenix creates a bespoke plan of action — what sets it apart from other clinics is that it takes a holistic approach to TRT, offering not only treatment but a range of longevity services to support your physical and mental health alongside.
What is testosterone replacement therapy?
TRT is a prescription treatment for low testosterone which works by increasing the levels of testosterone in your blood.
It's usually administered as a gel to apply to your skin and patients typically notice an improvement in their symptoms after three to six months of treatment.
Your Alphagenix GP can help you find the right TRT application for you, based on your blood results and lifestyle, with oral pills and injections also available alongside gel or cream applications.
Side effects could include weight gain, headaches and acne; the treatment may also thicken your blood and enlarge your prostate gland, so isn't suitable for men who are at a high risk of prostate cancer or heart failure.
TRT can also affect fertility and testicle size, however hCG can be prescribed alongisde to counteract these negative effects and help men to preserve their fertility. This is a prescription-only hormone which can be taken from day one alongside TRT.
