How Can Testosterone Levels Fluctuate?

It is commonly known that testosterone plays a vital role in men’s bodies; in fact, they are required for the normal functioning of nearly all bodily processes. As much as men are willing to pour money after pills and potions to increase their testosterone levels, most people do not fully understand what causes testosterone to drop or increase. If you are wondering “can testosterone levels vary”, then you have come across the right article.

Testosterone is an androgenic hormone that is essential for normal cell growth and development. If your body does not make enough testosterone for these important purposes, then you will be prone to various diseases including hypogonadism, acromegaly, obesity and some forms of cancer. If there is an imbalance in your body between androgens and estrogens, then the result is often referred to as male menopause.

A lot of us still confuse testosterone and estrogen because they are actually produced by different cells within the body. Testosterone is the major male sex hormone, while estrogen is the female sex hormone. In general, both these hormones act in similar ways on the body. However, the primary function of testosterone is to produce sperm, while estrogen is primarily responsible for maintaining the secondary characteristics of the female body such as breast enlargement and sleeping habits. These secondary characteristics are not the same as the primary function, which is reproduction.

When testosterone levels fall below normal levels, it can have serious consequences on a man’s body. It can affect his sex drive and his libido. His body may also become less resistant to physical stresses and strains. Some men may also experience a number of symptoms such as mood swings, depression, loss of muscle mass and strength, depression, fatigue and hair loss. Some of these symptoms may take several months to show any signs or symptoms.

There are many causes of low testosterone levels in the body of men. These include diseases that attack the pituitary gland, which creates the hormone testosterone. Impairments in the thyroid gland can also lower testosterone levels. A deficiency in zinc can also lead to low testosterone production. The elderly, persons suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and Parkinson’s disease and even those men with hypoglycemia can suffer from reduced levels of testosterone.

Hypothetically, some men with high levels of testosterone may be able to retain their erections and perform well sexually. But in most cases, there is a significant drop in testosterone level once a person undergoes puberty. If a man below the age of 50 years exhibits gradual loss of muscle mass, there may be an increased probability of experiencing low sexual ability or low libido. For some men, there are also conditions that cause hormonal imbalance such as testicular cancer, hypothalamic lesions and others. These causes of hormonal imbalance may result to irregular menstrual cycle, lack of appetite, insomnia, depression and other psychological disorders.

As mentioned earlier, diseases that attack the pituitary gland can cause low levels of testosterone in the body of older men. In addition, conditions that affect the hypothalamus gland, such as hypothalamic lesions, are known to lower testosterone levels. In some instances, low levels of testosterone have been found in people suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It is not uncommon for women to have low levels of testosterone, especially during their fertile years because the ovaries produce hormones that lead to menstruation.

What causes a rise in testosterone levels in males? Infectious agents that attack the reproductive system of males are the primary reason why this condition occurs. An increase in the secretion of natural killer cells (T cells) that destroy infection-causing organisms is another factor that may explain why testicles of younger males become resistant to infection. In males, exposure to chemical substances can also lead to the production of higher levels of testosterone. These chemical substances include pesticides, insecticides, and drugs.