Along with X and Y chromosomes, more muscle and bone mass, thicker skin, psychological differences, and higher susceptibility to certain diseases, the amount and kind of hormones in the male and female body differentiate men from women. To fully appreciate this, it would help to know a little more about hormones and what they do. Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in the body’s endocrine system.
The endocrine system comprises eight hormone-secreting glands: pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, thymus, pineal, ovaries in women, and testes in men. When glands in the endocrine system secrete hormones, they travel through the bloodstream to specific organs and tissues to help regulate numerous life-sustaining physiological processes. Some of these include respiration, digestion, and excretion. They also play an integral role in blood sugar regulation, growth and development, reproduction, stress response, and mood and behavior. One hormone that men have more of than women is testosterone.
What Is Testosterone?
Secreted by the testes and adrenal glands in men, testosterone is a sex hormone and one of the key hormones that differentiate men from women. While the ovaries and adrenal glands also secrete testosterone in women, the amount is far less compared to the amount secreted by the testes and adrenal glands in men. Available data shows that normal testosterone levels in the average healthy woman are between 15 and 70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), significantly lower than the 300 to 1,000 ng/dL in the average healthy man. In men, testosterone regulates libido, bone mass, mood and cognitive function, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of sperm and red blood cells. Except for sperm production, of course, testosterone does the same in women. It also plays a role in regulating their menstrual cycle and heart health.
What Happens if Testosterone Levels in the Body Are Too Low?
When testosterone levels in the blood dip below 15 ng/Dl and 300 ng/dL in men and women, respectively, it can lead to the emergence of several unpleasant symptoms. Low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism, can trigger decreased libido, vaginal dryness, difficulty achieving orgasm, and infertility in women. In men, it can trigger erectile dysfunction (ED) and reduced sperm count. In both genders, a testosterone deficiency can trigger the following:
- An increased risk of developing heart disease
- Bone loss
- Decreased bone density
- Decreased muscle mass and strength
- Fatigue
- Heightened risk of developing osteoporosis
- Increased body fat, especially around the midsection
- Reduced body hair growth
- Reduced endurance
- Slow metabolism
How Prevalent Is Low T?
Many men and women in the U.S. and across the world struggle with low testosterone or low T. According to one study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), roughly 10% to 40% of adult men struggle with low testosterone levels and related symptoms. In a separate Boston University Medical Center study, researchers revealed that the percentage of women with low T is between 22% and 44%. Common causes of low testosterone in men include aging, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and taking certain prescription drugs, especially those prescribed to treat cancer. The same can potentially cause low testosterone in women. Aging, menopause, ovary removal, and taking certain medications, such as birth control pills, corticosteroids, opioids, or anti-androgen drugs, can also put them at risk.
Natural and Medicinal Ways To Combat Low Testosterone
While men and women might experience low testosterone symptoms differently, natural and medicinal remedies can boost low testosterone levels in both and provide much-needed symptom relief. Natural things men and women can do to boost low testosterone levels include consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting plenty of deep, restorative sleep each night. The following can also help in this regard:
- Avoiding or managing diabetes
- Avoiding or minimizing stress
- Consuming less sugar, caffeine, red meats, and processed foods
- Dietary supplements, such as zinc, quercetin, grape seed extract, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Not smoking
Although lifestyle and dietary changes can help most people get their testosterone levels back where they need to be, the two alone may not be enough for everyone. For those individuals, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a medicinal treatment that can help. Some of the medications included in a TRT treatment regimen include the following:
- Androderm
- AndroGel
- Delatestryl
- Depo-Testosterone
- Fortesta
- Testim
- Testoderm
- Vogelxo
Why Does Testosterone Therapy Need Medical Supervision?
Starting a testosterone replacement therapy regimen requires that individuals first receive a testosterone deficiency diagnosis from a licensed physician and a valid prescription, which they can present to a brick-and-mortar or online pharmacy. An essential part of medically supervised testosterone replacement therapy, these requirements facilitate better and safer treatment outcomes. Medically supervised testosterone replacement therapy lowers the risk of side effects that could potentially result in serious complications. Because a physician conducts a comprehensive medical evaluation, it also ensures patients only receive the medications that address their unique needs. And that’s not all. Medically supervised testosterone replacement therapy significantly lowers the chances of individuals receiving counterfeit or ineffective drugs. Lastly, it ensures that the cost of testosterone injections, patches, and other testosterone-boosting medications that individuals need is fair and reasonable.
Take Steps Toward Normalizing Your Low T Levels Today
In summary, many people struggle with low testosterone and related symptoms. Fortunately, there are natural and medicinal ways to go about boosting low testosterone levels in the blood and achieving relief from low testosterone symptoms. To learn more or to find out which options are best for you, consider speaking with a licensed general physician or endocrinologist today.
