Low Testosterone and the Decrease in Libido

There is a direct relationship between testosterone and the male libido. While a dip in testosterone levels is normal after the age of 50, there are proven means of enhancing it naturally. This will allow you to continue enjoying a robust sex drive for many more years; 30 shouldn’t be the age at which you stop having sex.

Testosterone, also known as the male hormone, is arguably the most prominent androgen that is responsible for conferring males their definitive characteristics. Such include facial and torso hair, deep voices, as well as higher muscle mass and strength. This hormone is optimally produced during puberty and adolescence. By the age of 30, its production dips significantly, causing a series of behavioral changes in men. Among the most noticeable impacts of this decline is low sex drive or libido. Men who have a reduced sex drive will often suffer from erectile dysfunction, which is usually very embarrassing. Erectile dysfunction is often confused with impotence, in which case, most people attempt to treat it with prescribed medications as opposed to addressing the problem at its root.

Causes of Low Testosterone

The normal testosterone measurement in a man is approximately 300 nanograms per deciliter, with the upper limit ranging around 800ng/dL. Contrary to the prevailing misconception, low testosterone is not solely attributable to aging. A lower than normal score on a particular blood test can be as a result of variable conditions. These include injury to the testicles, hormonal disorders and testicular cancer or its treatment. You could also experience lower testosterone if you are suffering from HIV/AIDS, Type 2 diabetes or obesity. A recent study revealed that testosterone levels do not decrease significantly with age but rather decrease with less than 1 percent every year. Significant declines in testosterone levels can largely be blamed on obesity and such indulgences as smoking.

Can Low Testosterone be Treated?

While a gradual decline in testosterone level is expected while aging, you might require treatment if the symptoms related to low levels are too pronounced. For instance, if you are in an intimate relationship or married and you are experiencing trouble getting your spouse pregnant, you may consider getting gonadotropin injections. These are the hormones tasked with signaling your body to produce more testosterone and also increase your sperm count. Scientific studies also suggest implantable testosterone pellets as a viable form of treatment despite being relatively new. This treatment involves placing the pellets under the skin of the buttocks. The pellets operate by releasing testosterone over a course of three to four months. Some men prefer injections and nasal gels, which are considered to be equally effective.

Is Testosterone Solely Responsible for Libido?

There is no doubt that testosterone plays a critical role in every man’s life experiences. This hormone is responsible for maintaining fat distribution, bone density, muscle mass and strength and sperm production. However, its major role manifests in the form of maintaining a man’s sex drive. In spite of the presence of other androgens that essentially stimulate and control the major male characteristics, scientists perceive testosterone as the key component to enhanced sex drive.

Therefore, it follows that low testosterone levels are associated with significant changes in a patient’s sexual inclinations and abilities. Affected men are less capable of attaining and maintaining erections, and when they do, they are not sufficiently firm. They also take much longer to achieve ejaculatory and orgasmic experiences.

Moreover, without a steady flow of testosterone, the tissues in the penis, testicles and scrotum will often shrivel, which causes the penis to lose its length and girth. In addition to lacking sexual appetite, the majority of individuals with low testosterone levels also experience fewer fantasies and erotic dreams. The scientific reasoning behind this is that the brain areas responsible for bringing about sexual desires during sleep are packed with testosterone receptors. Therefore, without testosterone, you are actually missing out on a critical step of the turn-on process.

While your sex drive will largely depend on testosterone levels, the relationship between the two is not easy to comprehend. Some men have been shown to achieve healthy erections in spite of having low levels of testosterone (well below the desired range). However, it is indisputable that low testosterone levels do contribute to various chronic conditions that play a significant role in erectile dysfunction. Such conditions include heart diseases and obesity, as well as Type 2 diabetes. So, promptly addressing the issue of low testosterone can go a long way in improving a man’s life. This is achieved by brightening his mood and restoring his sex drive, thereby renewing his interest in sex.