Testosterone is not only «fuel» for man’s sexual life. Of course, low testosterone reduces sexual attraction, leads to erectile dysfunction and other problems in intimate life.
It is an important regulator of many functions of the body, so testosterone deficiency affects health state in general.
Testosterone and Causes of Decreased Libido
Researchers have not yet studied in detail mechanism of how testosterone increases libido. But this is an indisputable fact. It is normal that after thirty years testosterone level in a man slowly decreases, but libido of different men is very different. Some men may experience decrease in sexual desire with age, while others remain sexually active until very old age.
Sexual changes in each man depend on many factors, including everyday stress, sleep, general health and, finally, opportunities for sex. For these reasons, some experts say that concept of «normal sexual desire» is generally incorrect. Usually a man himself defines decreased sexual desire as a problem compared to what he is used to. Sometimes change is noticed by his partner, who also encourages a man to see a doctor.
Symptoms of low testosterone levels do not always include lack of sexual desire. Some men with low testosterone have no problems in their intimate life. In others, on the contrary, at normal level of the hormone problems with potency can be observed. However, low testosterone is one of the possible causes of decreased libido. If level of male hormone decreases to a certain threshold, then almost every man has difficulties in intimate sphere.
In a study conducted a couple of years ago in Massachusetts (USA), it was found that 11% of adult men complain of lack of sexual desire. At the same time, about 28% of men with low testosterone complained of decreased libido. It is interesting that these men were relatively young – average age did not reach 50 years.
Low Testosterone and Erectile Dysfunction
Many will be surprised, but low testosterone alone rarely causes erectile dysfunction (ED). Low testosterone in absence of other health problems is the reason for only a few percent of cases of erectile dysfunction.
Problems with erection are usually caused by atherosclerosis – pathological change in arteries. If small blood vessels are damaged, they can not normally supply penis with blood and maintain erection.
Accordingly, the main three causes of erectile dysfunction are:
- hypercholesterolemia;
- diabetes;
- hypertension.
At the same time, low testosterone, according to American doctors, is a frequent companion of atherosclerosis, which contributes to erectile dysfunction symptoms appearance. Experts believe that low testosterone is dangerous for «male health» in combination with other risk factors.
Testosterone and Genera Health
Numerous Western studies have shown link between low testosterone levels and certain diseases, which, incidentally, can lead to erectile dysfunction:
- obesity;
- metabolic syndrome;
- vascular endothelial dysfunction;
- diabetes type 2.
Although low testosterone does not cause these diseases (this is not proven), but there is statistical relationship between them. That’s why men with low levels of the hormone should more carefully monitor their health.
Substitution testosterone therapy increases libido and pleasure from sexual life in most men. However, prolonged treatment with testosterone has a number of health risks that should be discussed with your doctor.
Studies on safety of long-term HRT with testosterone in West are still ongoing, and their results will only be known in years.