How Low Testosterone Affects Energy Levels And Sleep

Our bodies are designed to balance our hormones for a healthy and happy life. However, these hormone levels can sometimes get messed up for various reasons.

Testosterone is a crucial male sex hormone that controls many functions in both men and women. As men get older, their testosterone levels start to drop, leading to low testosterone or "male menopause." This can cause changes like lower energy levels, decreased bone density, and sleep problems.

This article explains how low testosterone affects your energy and sleep. We also discuss the best ways to boost your testosterone levels.

What Is Low Testosterone?

Low testosterone (also called low T) is a condition in which the body doesn't produce enough testosterone. Testosterone is a male sex hormone that helps develop male features, increase muscle mass, produce red blood cells, improve mood, and support reproductive functions.

When you have low T, all these processes can be affected, leading to low muscle mass, weaker bones, trouble getting an erection, and depression.

This condition usually affects older men, but specific medical issues like testicular cancer can cause low T in younger men, too. If you have symptoms of low T, talk to your doctor for treatment.

What's The Percentage Of People Suffering From Low T?

Low T is more common in older men because, as they age, their testes can't produce normal levels of testosterone. It affects about 40% of men aged 45 and older worldwide. Diagnosing low T can be tricky because testosterone levels change throughout the day.

Diagnosing Low Testosterone

If you think you have low T, seeing a doctor for a proper diagnosis is best. Talk to your doctor about your medical history, any sexual issues, changes you've noticed, and any medications you're taking.

Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and perform a physical exam, checking your breast tissue, body hair, and test size. They will then perform a blood test to see if your symptoms are related to low T.

Usually, two or more early morning blood tests are needed to confirm low testosterone. Your doctor might perform more tests to determine the exact cause.

Is Low T A Problem?

Testosterone has many vital roles in the body. When its levels drop, you can experience symptoms that affect your quality of life. It significantly impacts your sex life, making it hard to get an erection and lowering your desire for sex.

You might not need to worry if your testosterone level is only slightly low. But if it drops significantly and you have ongoing symptoms, you should see your doctor to find out why. Your doctor will identify the cause of low T and suggest the best solution.

Low Testosterone And Energy Levels

Testosterone helps men stay energetic and strong. It boosts metabolism and physical performance. When men don't have enough testosterone, their energy levels can drop, and their physical performance can suffer.

You might feel tired even after resting, making it hard to do everyday activities. To fix this, try changing your lifestyle and eating foods that boost testosterone. If these methods don't work, see a doctor for proper treatment.

Low Testosterone And Sleep

The relationship between low testosterone (low T) and sleep is complicated. Your testosterone levels naturally rise when you sleep at night. People who don't get enough sleep or stay awake at night and sleep during the day often have low T.

Lack of sleep can lower your testosterone levels, but low T can also mess up your sleep and cause insomnia. Not getting enough sleep can make you tired in the morning, lower your energy levels, and make you cranky. If low T is causing sleep problems, you should find ways to boost your testosterone levels.

How To Fix Low Testosterone?

After diagnosing low T, your doctor will suggest making lifestyle changes and eating foods that naturally boost testosterone. They will monitor how these changes affect your testosterone levels over time. If your low T symptoms persist, the doctor will recommend a treatment called testosterone replacement therapy.

Ways Of Boosting Your Testosterone Levels

Here are the most effective ways to increase your testosterone levels:

Start Exercising And Stick To It:

Exercise has many health benefits and is the best natural way to boost testosterone. Studies show that people who exercise regularly have more energy and higher testosterone levels.

Eat Well:

Overeating or constant dieting can lower your testosterone levels. Maintain a balanced diet with the right amounts of proteins, healthy fats, and carbs. Eat whole foods, vegetables, and fruits for pure nutrients.

Enjoy Quality Sleep:

Your sleep directly affects testosterone levels. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep each night. If you have trouble sleeping, try activities before bed that help you relax and fall asleep early.

Minimise Stress:

Stress causes your body to release the cortisol hormone, which can reduce testosterone production. Try to minimise stress to keep cortisol levels low.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy:

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a medical treatment where testosterone is added to your body using methods like gels, skin patches, tablets, injections, or creams. Patients can choose their preferred method. Most men see a reduction in low T symptoms within 4 to 6 weeks of starting TRT. Doctors prescribe this treatment if you truly have low testosterone and are experiencing several low T symptoms.

Benefits Of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Men who undergo testosterone replacement therapy notice several improvements, including:

• Better mood and energy levels
  
  
• Lower risk of osteoporosis, as testosterone, strengthens bones.
  
  
• Improved libido and sex life
  
  
• Loss of fat and stronger muscles

However, it's important to remember the side effects of this treatment. Testosterone replacement therapy can cause skin irritation, acne, breast tenderness, and smaller testicles. Talk to your doctor about these side effects before starting the treatment.

Should I Worry About Low T?

If your testosterone levels have dropped a lot and are affecting your quality of life, you should get proper treatment. Sometimes, low T is temporary and goes away independently, possibly due to medications or other reasons.

However, if the symptoms don't disappear, you should see a doctor and discuss the problem. Without proper treatment, low T can lead to low bone density, increased body fat, poor sex life, and low energy levels.

Does Low T Last Forever?

Some people experience low T temporarily due to certain conditions. However, if you have a genetic issue, have had a testicle removed due to cancer, or are over 50, you may experience low T permanently.

But you don't have to live with this condition. You can bring your testosterone levels back to normal by improving your lifestyle and getting effective treatment.

Conclusion

Low testosterone can disrupt sleep and lower energy levels, negatively affecting productivity and quality of life. People with this condition should first try natural ways to boost testosterone. If these methods don't work, testosterone replacement therapy is the most effective treatment to help them overcome low T symptoms and enjoy life again.