Signs and Symptoms of Male Hormone Imbalances

Have you ever wondered how our bodies function? How we digest food, produce offspring and have hair on our bodies are all related to our hormones. Although everyone has hormones, male hormones are different than females. A key example of this is testosterone. Women do have testosterone in their bodies, but men produce a lot more of it.

When a man’s hormone levels are too low or high, it’s deemed a hormone imbalance. Male hormone imbalances can happen at any given moment in a man’s life. And there are plenty of signs that can point to it.

Signs and Symptoms of Male Hormone Imbalances

Sudden Weight Gain

Although this depends on the overall stature and lifestyle, the average weight of a man is around 190 to 200 pounds. However, if you start to notice that your weight is creeping up, it could be due to male hormonal imbalance.

There are ways to stave off this sudden weight gain, such as eating healthy foods, exercising daily and using health supplements. Genetic testing can also help doctors come up with a plan to control weight gain.

Urinating More Than Usual

If you find yourself urinating more than you usually do, a hormonal imbalance may be to blame. It can be at night, during work hours and even right after you just went. You might even think that you drank too much water without realizing it. However, nocturia and increased urination in the day can signal low testosterone levels. If you continue to experience frequent urination, you might require hormone replacement therapy.

Less Sexually Active

One of the most obvious signs of male hormone imbalances is a low libido. Similar to frequent urination, it’s due to a lack of testosterone and can happen without warning.

Testosterone gives a male an erection, so when levels are low, men may experience impotence. It can be ongoing or happen intermittently. This is in addition to not feeling the need to be intimate with your partner.

Depression

Remember how we said that hormones make our bodies what they are? The same goes for our feelings and emotions. In fact, another common sign of male hormonal imbalances is feeling depressed.

Symptoms that may accompany depression include:

• Low libido
• Fatigue
• Feeling little to no motivation
• Mood swings

Problems Maintaining Muscle Mass

This is something that can happen alongside sudden weight gain or weight loss. Having low levels of testosterone can make it difficult for you to build muscle. Testosterone plays a vital role in muscle development, so without it, muscle atrophy can occur.

Like the weight gain, it’s natural to attribute these symptoms to a poor diet. While eating healthier is good for you, persistently low testosterone levels may require hormone replacement therapy. Male hormone imbalances cause a myriad of symptoms that may go unnoticed at first. That’s why it’s important to see your doctor if you experience ongoing symptoms that don’t resolve themselves.

Final Thoughts

Being diagnosed with male hormone imbalances is concerning. However, it’s quite common. A doctor, specifically an endocrinologist, can run the appropriate lab tests and determine the best course of action to balance your hormone levels.