Сauses of Low Testosterone in Males and Females
There are several causes of low testosterone in women and in men. The main reason why testosterone levels will deplete are due to the natural process of aging. No one can escape this natural phenomenon created by Mother Nature, but there are ways to reverse the symptoms that go along with the depletion if it is because of unhealthy lifestyle habits.
There are other causes of low testosterone in men and in women that do not have to do with aging, but with health issues. Below is a list of the main causes of low testosterone in both genders:
- Underactive testicles
- Inflammation of the testes
- Testes that have not descended from the body
- Problems or injury to the scrotum
- Underactive ovaries
- Tumor(s) on the ovaries
- Underactive adrenal glands
- Problems with the pituitary gland
- Brain surgery
- Cancer treatment such as radiation for the brain
- Primary hypogonadism
- Secondary hypogonadism
- Certain medications
- A tumor on the pituitary gland
Everything listed above are medical conditions that can be causes of low testosterone in older males as well as in younger males over 30. Hypogonadism is a condition where low T is a problem. Primary hypogonadism is when there is an issue with the testicles – they are not producing enough testosterone for one reason or another. Secondary hypogonadism has to do with issues with the pituitary gland in the brain.
Causes Of Low Testosterone Due To Poor Lifestyle Habits
How you conduct your life every single day can play a huge factor in your testosterone levels and in your overall health condition(s). Sticking to daily habits that are healthy can make a very substantial difference in how one looks and feels. Some of the main causes of low testosterone in males under 40, 50 and 60 are:
- Not eating well
- Not getting enough daily exercise
- Not sleeping enough
- Dealing with too much stress
- Overconsumption of alcohol
- Smoking
Let us look at these lifestyle habits more closely to see how they can impede upon testosterone production:
- Food
- Alcohol
- Trans-fats
- Licorice
- Mint tea
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- All soy products
- Flaxseed
- Lack of exercise
- Sleep deprivation
- Stress
- Alcoholic consumption
- Smoking
The foods that you consume can have a direct effect on the amount of testosterone that your body produces. If you are not eating well, this can be a cause of low testosterone in men over 50 and at any age. Eating refined sugars and processed foods can impede upon the production of testosterone. The list below contains some examples of foods that can be the causes of low testosterone:
The above foods can be eaten; however, in very close moderation because too much of any one of them has proven to be one of the causes of low testosterone. Some of the food choices listed, such as soy, have been said to be very destructive to testosterone already in the body.
Without exercise, weight gain can be a cause of low testosterone. Lack of resistance training will not help a man who is trying to increase his testosterone levels naturally. Working out should be an essential part of a person’s every day plans. Physical activity has been proven to increase low T levels and make a person feel healthier and happier overall.
Without the proper amount of sleep, cells and tissues do not restore properly, the body does not heal quickly and testosterone hormone lacks in its proper production. Sleep is imperative for the body to get itself ready for the next day of activity. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute published a study that shared that a lack of sleep can age a man 10 to 15 years, as it drastically decreases their testosterone production.
When a person finds themselves stressed out, their body will release the hormone cortisol. Cortisol will lower testosterone levels naturally. This in return makes stress one of the causes of low testosterone in females and males. It is very important to learn coping skills to help yourself deal with stressful situations where you can help to manage the release of cortisol into your system. Yoga, meditation, breathing techniques and enjoyable healthy activities are some of the coping strategies you can use to decrease stress in your life.
Moderate consumption of alcohol is usually not a problem for most people. However, in short, excessive drinking has been proven to be one of the causes of low testosterone levels. Experts say that alcohol can have a detrimental impact upon the endocrine system. When the ethanol in alcohol is metabolized, it lowers an enzyme in the liver and in the testes called NAD+, according a well known source. This coenzyme is essential for producing testosterone.
Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to many problems including increasing estrogen in men, which decreases testosterone. The estrogen that is created, converts the existing testosterone into more estrogen. Alcohol can also release endorphins that at first creates relaxation, but eventually causes problems with the synthesis of testosterone.
The National Institutes of Health have published many articles sharing the information that the nicotine in cigarette smoke is one of the major causes of low testosterone. It is well known by the public that there are no health benefits to cigarette smoking in general.
Sticking to healthy lifestyle habits can help to reduce the depletion of the vital hormone testosterone. Eating well, sleeping at least 8 hours per evening, exercising, keeping stress levels low, partaking in only moderate (if any) alcoholic consumption and staying away from smoking can help to keep the body healthy and testosterone levels in their “normal” ranges for men and women by age.
Causes of low testosterone in males under 30 is usually not looked at by experts who study low T for adults. In order to be a part of a testosterone replacement therapy program, a person is required to be at least 30 years of age. This is the time when hormones start to change and growing older starts to affect the mind and the body. Clinics will usually not test men or women under 30 for a testosterone depletion in order to become a part of a TRT program to help with the general symptoms of aging.
National HRT Staff
Please note that the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.