Doctors named the main factors of the drop in testosterone levels in men
A decrease in testosterone levels with age is not always a sign of hormonal disorders and requires a comprehensive diagnosis, since similar symptoms may be associated with lack of sleep, stress, depression and other diseases. All the details are in the Izvestia article.
Diagnosis and symptoms
Testosterone levels gradually decrease with age, but analysis alone is not enough to make a diagnosis. Olga Ulankina, an expert at the Hemotest laboratory, emphasizes that the results should be evaluated in conjunction with complaints, patient age, and other indicators. The hormone has daily fluctuations, so it is recommended to donate blood before 10-11 a.m.
Symptoms of androgen deficiency, such as decreased libido, fatigue, and loss of muscle mass, often coincide with signs of other conditions. This feeling may be caused by chronic sleep deprivation, depression, iron deficiency, or endocrine disorders. For an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to examine not only total, but also free testosterone, as well as check the levels of other hormones.
"Prescribing testosterone only because of fatigue, decreased performance, or a "low" result of one test without a full-fledged examination is wrong, because this may not only not solve the problem, but also delay the diagnosis of the true cause of the ailment," Ulankina said.
The impact of weight and lifestyle
Doctors call the increase in the prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus one of the main reasons for the drop in hormone levels. Adipose tissue actively converts testosterone into estrogens, disrupting the hormonal system. Often, normalization of weight, sleep, and physical activity can increase testosterone levels without medication.
A sedentary lifestyle causes a complex blow to men's health. Prolonged immobility leads to venous stagnation in the pelvis and overheating of the scrotum, which negatively affects the quality of sperm. However, the systemic harm from physical inactivity leading to obesity is considered a more significant factor than the local impact of the sitting process itself.
Substitution therapy and consequences
Invitro urologist Fyodor Derish warned against the uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs, especially when planning children. External testosterone suppresses its own hormone production, which can lead to the complete disappearance of spermatozoa. In such cases, the use of chorionic gonadotropin is considered to preserve testicular function.
Derish notes that modern approaches have redefined old dogmas about the relationship between testosterone and prostate cancer. According to the saturation model, an increase in hormone levels to the physiological norm in healthy men does not provoke tumor growth.
There is no direct proven causal relationship between "testosterone has dropped, so fertility has dropped." It is important to understand that it is not the testosterone that circulates in the blood that is responsible for the production of spermatozoa, but the intracellular testosterone, the concentration of which is ten times higher than the serum one," explained Fyodor Derish.
Hormonal balance and stress
The psychoemotional state plays an important role in the regulation of men's health. Chronic stress provokes the release of cortisol, which is an antagonist of male sex hormones. Thus, constant nervous tension blocks the mechanisms of natural hormone synthesis in the body.
To restore performance, experts recommend paying attention to the quality of a night's rest. The main production of testosterone occurs during the deep phases of sleep, so regular lack of sleep becomes a critical factor in reducing hormonal levels. An integrated approach to the daily routine often becomes an effective alternative to medical intervention.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
