When it comes to your health, there is nothing you should take for granted. This is particularly true regarding your sexual health since a strong sex drive and satisfying sex life can provide you with a better quality of life as you age. But to maintain your sexual health, it’s crucial you get regular check-ups and make good use of at-home hormone test kits so that low-T and its various symptoms don’t creep up on you and lead to a variety of problems.
Take a Proactive Approach
While you’re not going to die from the effects of low testosterone, you should also remember that men have a life expectancy that’s five years less than women. In fact, men tend to die more so than women from almost all of the fifteen leading causes of death in the United States. Because of this, don’t ignore anything unusual that’s going on with your health. While low testosterone may turn out to be your only problem, it’s best to let a doctor rule out any underlying medical conditions prior to getting treated for low testosterone.
Sexual Health and Mental Health
If you’re like many men who don’t visit their doctor regularly because they say they are too busy, consider the fact that your sexual health and mental health are closely linked. Should you ignore the symptoms of low testosterone in men, you may soon find yourself dealing with depression and performance anxiety that gets worse if erectile dysfunction also becomes part of the equation. When you are unable to get an erection for sex or maintain it during sex, the feelings of inadequacy and embarrassment can create a vicious circle that only gets worse over time. Though it’s a hard subject to discuss with a doctor, doing so will be the first step towards getting your sex life back on track.
Catching Symptoms Early
Combining regular check-ups with hormone testing, which you can do in the privacy of your home, will let you catch low-T symptoms just as they are starting to take hold of your physical and mental health. No matter your age, it’s important that you remember the most common signs of low testosterone, such as:
- Increased fatigue,
- Gaining weight,
- Loss of muscle and strength,
- Reduced desire for sex.
Once you incorporate regular check-ups and hormone testing into your life, you can gain peace of mind, find it easier to talk over concerns with your doctor and identify any underlying medical conditions that may be causing or contributing to your low testosterone, such as diabetes or thyroid irregularities.
Decreases with Age
Many men have the mistaken belief that if they exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and get a good night’s sleep on a regular basis, their testosterone levels will always remain at very high levels. While it’s true that these are important ways to keep yourself feeling great and maintain a regular level of testosterone, you should remember that the average man will have a decrease in testosterone of one to two percent annually that can start as early as when you are in your 20s. If you are under age 40 and start to notice such things as hair loss on parts of your body, acne, or breast tissue that may be enlarging due to gynecomastia, you should talk to your doctor about treatment options for low-T.
Testosterone Therapy
Should you be a guy who still deals with low testosterone despite living a healthy lifestyle, your doctor may recommend you consider starting testosterone replacement therapy. If you follow your doctor’s treatment plan, chances are good that you can begin to see significant improvement in your sexual health. As this occurs, you may also start to notice that you feel far less fatigued and irritable since you’re less and less worried about how you’ll be able to perform in the bedroom. Yet before you begin testosterone therapy, remember that it can come with certain risks, such as:
- Sleep apnea may worsen,
- Acne or skin rashes,
- Decreased sperm production,
- Blood clots.
Like any other medical treatment, weigh the pros and cons of testosterone therapy and discuss any concerns you have with your doctor prior to beginning your treatment regimen.
Bottom Line
Maintaining your sexual health will help you continue to enjoy life as you age. The first step you can make is to take some time out of your busy schedule to get regular annual exams. Take into account that you can have your hormones tested. Knowledge is power, and by knowing that your hormones are well-balanced, you can look forward to never having to deal with ED or other sexual health issues.
