The short answer is that there’s a strong correlation between testosterone levels and overall sexual health. Testosterone is a key hormone that contributes to looking and feeling younger. More specifically, testosterone plays one of the most important roles in a man’s overall vitality and sexual pleasure. Men’s testosterone levels often peak during adolescence and early adulthood, but over time, they gradually decline. In fact, it has been projected that men 30 years of age and older will experience a 1.6 % decrease in total testosterone levels each year. Low testosterone, or Low T, is a medical condition that occurs when the body is not producing enough testosterone, causing a variety of symptoms such as, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, infertility, decreased muscle mass, fat gain, mood changes, unexplained emotions, and fatigue. Depending on who you talk to, “normal” testosterone levels can vary significantly. That’s why it’s so important to have your levels checked by a provider who specializes in testosterone replacement therapy.
As men age, it is common to see changes in body composition, resulting in loss of muscle and a gain in fat mass, especially visceral and central fat. Evidence-based practice suggests that when testosterone treatment is given to men ages 24 to 85 years of age, they saw an increase in lean body mass with a total reduction in both central and visceral obesity. A decrease in visceral fat is important as we now know it is a predisposing factor that leads to metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Evidence-based practice has also proven that men with low T who have started testosterone replacement therapy experienced a decrease in fat, decreased total cholesterol levels, increased bone mineral density, improved erectile dysfunction, improvement in cognition, improved mood, and better glycemic control in men with diabetes. Any combination of these factors can ultimately lead to more energy and an increase in activity, resulting in a more youthful appearance and feeling young again!
If you feel like you may have low testosterone, contact us for a consultation.