Hormone optimization has been all the buzz in the medical world for some time as researchers continue to uncover different ways that hormone imbalances can affect men and women, especially when it involves reproductive hormones.
On the female side of the equation, reproductive hormone imbalances are more distinct as women journey through different stages that are governed by hormones. For men, however, reproductive hormone imbalances can often be less obvious.
As a specialist in endocrinology, which is an area of medicine that focuses on hormones, Dr. Sean P. Nikravan is well familiar with the surprisingly varied effects that reproductive hormone imbalances can have on physical and mental health.
Here, we take a look at five of the signs of a testosterone imbalance in men, which affects millions of Americans, especially as they age — rates of testosterone deficiency range from 1% of younger men to about half of men over age 80.
The symptoms of a testosterone deficiency can vary greatly from one man to the next, but one of the more common complaints is fatigue. This fatigue doesn’t stem from exercise — it just exists no matter your activity level and amount of sleep.
If you feel as though you’re dragging through your days for no apparent reason, this can be a sign of a hormone imbalance.
Testosterone plays a large role in helping your body create lean muscle, so when there’s a deficit, one of the first areas that gets hit are your muscles. When testosterone levels are low, you can lose muscle mass and it’s much harder to create new muscle — you slog it out at the gym with little to show for your efforts.
Testosterone is a hormone that has great influence over your sexual health. If your levels of testosterone dip, you can experience a loss of libido and decreased erectile function.
Another common side effect of testosterone deficiency is loss of both body and facial hair. If you notice a thinning beard or less hair on your body, this could point to a hormone deficit.
Are words not coming as easily to you, or do you find it difficult to focus? While these symptoms can be tied to natural aging, a drop in testosterone also can lead to cognitive issues like these.
This list is by no means complete. Researchers have cataloged additional specific and nonspecific side effects of low testosterone over the years.
What we often tell patients is that if you’re experiencing changes in your body, in your cognitive function, or in your mood and there’s no explanation for the shifts, an investigation should start with your hormones. In fact, with a simple review of symptoms and a blood test, Dr. Nikravan can get you on the road to answers — and solutions.
If you’re experiencing some of the issues we described above and suspect that you might be dealing with a hormone imbalance, your next step is a simple one — contact us at our office in Newport Beach, California, to schedule a consultation with Dr. Nikravan.
