2023-12-14 13:57:00
Testosterone is essential for health, and is the most important hormone in men’s health. It maintains fertility and sperm production, in addition to building muscle and bone mass and strength. But what many people do not know is that increasing it can exacerbate the risk of health problems, including enlargement of the prostate gland.
In this article, nutritionist Hala Hussein Al-Qaqour talks about the signs of high testosterone, also known as hyperandrogenism in men, its importance, the reasons for low or increased levels in the blood, and how to avoid the risks resulting from it.
What are the risks of high testosterone levels?
High testosterone in men can cause a variety of symptoms, including excess facial and body hair, aggression, and infertility.
High testosterone, most often in men, is due to anabolic steroid use or testosterone supplements.
Therefore, people who experience symptoms associated with high testosterone should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Untreated high testosterone levels can increase the risk of infertility, cancer and other problems.
What are the symptoms of high testosterone in the blood?
Blood levels of testosterone vary greatly over time and even during the day.
In fact, most of what we know about abnormally high testosterone levels in men comes from athletes who use steroids, testosterone, or related hormones to increase muscle mass and athletic performance.
Problems associated with high testosterone levels include:
– Low sperm count.
– Shrinking of the testicles (less than 20 ml in volume).
Small penis, impotence and infertility.
Prostate enlargement with difficulty urinating.
– Weight gain, which may be partly related to increased appetite.
– Cholesterol.
– Hypertension.
– Heart muscle damage and increased risk of heart attacks.
– Increased risk of blood clots.
– insomnia.
– headache.
– Aggressive behavior (still under study).
– Mood swings, euphoria and irritability.
– young love.
Could you have a testosterone deficiency?
Qaqour confirms that in recent years, researchers have focused on the effects of testosterone deficiency, especially among men. We know very well that as men age, testosterone levels decline very gradually, by 1 percent to 2 percent each year, in contrast to the relatively rapid decline in estrogen that causes menopause in women.
The testicles produce a smaller amount of testosterone with age, in addition to the fact that there are fewer signals from the pituitary gland responsible for urging the testicles to produce testosterone.
All of this reduces the active form of testosterone in the body. More than a third of men over the age of 45 may have low levels of testosterone.
What are the causes of low testosterone levels in the body?
Low testosterone levels in men are associated with sexual dysfunction (low libido, erectile dysfunction), decreased skeletal muscle mass and strength, decreased bone mineral density, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, depression and mood swings.
The most important reasons responsible for the decline are:
* Using plastic cups: because they contain substances harmful to health, including bisphenol A.
* Overweight and diabetes: Obesity is a problem that many men suffer from, whether young or old.
Obese men have a lot of visceral fat (or fat on vital organs). These fats produce harmful substances and can therefore cause insulin resistance, high blood pressure and low testosterone levels.
* Aging and decreased testicular function: Aging is characterized by decreased testosterone due to low testosterone levels associated with decreased testicular production, genetic factors, obesity, and disease.
* Inadequate sleep: increases cortisol levels (stress hormone) and reduces testosterone levels in the morning.
* Vitamin D deficiency.
* Stress and lack of sleep.
* Alcohol abuse.
How does excess weight affect testosterone levels?
Visceral fat is stored in the ventral shunt near a number of vital organs. Having a large amount of visceral fat can stop testosterone production, which encourages more belly fat to be stored. This causes the appearance of the abdomen, which is common in middle-aged men.
When can testosterone therapy be used?
Testosterone therapy is approved to treat delayed puberty in males and abnormally low testosterone production resulting from a defect in the testicles, pituitary gland, or hypothalamus.
Men may be eligible for testosterone therapy when they have significantly low levels of active testosterone or if certain symptoms are present.
What are the risks of testosterone therapy?
Some men and even women experience immediate side effects of testosterone treatment, such as acne, disturbed breathing during sleep, breast swelling or pain, or swollen ankles. An increase in the number of red blood cells is monitored because it increases the risk of clotting.
What is the role of testosterone for athletes?
. Testosterone plays an essential role in regulating muscle mass and the way the body responds to exercise.
When you do physical activity for a long time, your muscles experience minor trauma. So after that, the body begins to repair damaged muscle tissue and increase its strength and size.
But is it correct to use these hormones to build muscle and increase athletic performance?
Of course not, you should not resort to it unless you suffer from a lack of testosterone. Because high levels of male hormones can lead to infertility by preventing the production of follicle stimulating hormone, which is responsible for sperm production, in addition to psychological and neurological disorders, heart problems, cancer, and recorded cases of addiction to these hormones.
How can I increase testosterone levels naturally?
There are 10 healthy ways that can be followed to raise testosterone without the need for medications or supplements, the most important of which are:
– Drink water in glass cups instead of plastic ones.
– Enjoy a healthy sexual life.
– Losing excess weight.
– Focus on healthy fats: nuts, fatty fish, and avocado.
– Increase zinc consumption: legumes, nuts, meat and shellfish.
– Sleep in a dark room for 6-8 hours a day.
– Avoid smoking and drink alcohol in moderation.
In conclusion, I would like to remind young people, especially athletes, not to take any type of hormonal supplements before turning to therapeutic nutritionists to help them reach their goal in a safe and healthy way.
We also recommend following a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly because this helps maintain hormonal balance and avoid health problems.
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