When we think of testosterone, we most likely think of something irregular and “barbarian”. Testosterone is one of the things that makes a man more like a man, right? But even this very masculine hormone frequently needs to be precisely balanced.
Testosterone is discharged by the man’s testicles, although ovaries also release a certain amount of testosterone. This hormone takes part in all the changes that a male’s voice goes through and it also has a thing or two to say in stimulating the growth of hair on the male adolescences’ chest.
For the young male, testosterone plays a vital role in maintaining the libido, in shaping the muscles and maintaining healthy energy levels. However, there are contexts in which testosterone is discharged in too big or too small amounts, and these conditions can seriously affect the behavior and the psyche of a man.
Why do we not need too much testosterone?
According to a study published in April 1999, in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, the high levels of testosterone bring along certain advantages, but they also determine some serious risks.
Researchers from Park University, from Pennsylvania State, have carried out a study on 4393 men aged between 32 and 44 years, who have worked within the army system between 1965 and 1971. These men were found to have the level of testosterone somewhere between 53 and 1500 nanograms per deciliter, with an average of 679. The normal values for healthy men are between 270 and 1070 nanograms per deciliter.
The men who’s testosterone values were a little over the average ones, had with 45% more risks of getting high blood pressure, with 72% less chances to get a heart attack and with 75% less chance to become obese, in comparison with those individuals who had testosterone levels a little under the average average amounts.
But results seemed to be not entirely favorable. These men displayed with 24% more trauma, they were with 32% more exposed at consuming five or more alcoholic beverages each day, they had with 35% higher risks of getting a disease sexually transmitted and they were with 151% more vulnerable at starting to smoke Tabaco.
Facing the study’s results
The study’s results were, even more worrying for men displaying high amounts of testosterone, men who had behavioral disturbances and who were not able to enjoy the protective attributes of testosterone.
These results are not that surprising, at least this is what author Alan Booth states, as a sociology professor in human development. He believes so because testosterone was associated with behavioral disorders in multiple studies up until the moment of the study in the discussion. Men dealing with high levels of testosterone are more involved in criminal activities, and antisocial behaviors, school conflicts and they have higher risks of ending up all alone or of not finding a stable job.
But these do not mean that all men dealing with high levels of testosterone are bound to have a tragic destiny, the same author states. He believes that there are many men with high testosterone levels, who do not commit violent acts and who are quite happy in their marriages.
Putting together all these information, researchers were able to conclude that the wealthiest men are those who display testosterone levels between 400 and 600 nanograms. It seems that these men were enjoying the most the effects of the hormone and that they were experiencing the lowest risks associated with this hormone, testosterone.
When is it necessary for medical intervention?
Some men display higher levels of testosterone than others, but very rarely a man in such a situation would need medical treatment. There are more frequent cases in which patients with low levels of testosterone choose to treat themselves.
The pick of testosterone levels is reached at the age of 20 years, and then it gradually decreases during lifetime. There can exist a pathological decrement of this level somewhere at the age of 30 years. It is quite rare to notice the decrement at the age of 30 years, it is even less frequent at the age of 40 years, it is relatively frequent at the age of 50 years, and it is quite frequent at more older ages, specialists say.
From a medical point of view, this disorder is known under the name of hypogonadism, which means that within the blood testosterone is produced in low amounts. It also goes by the name of male menopause.
What are the symptoms of this decrement?
This testosterone decrement determines the decrement of the libido, and it leads to erectile dysfunction. Also, there can be noticed a significant lack of energy, strength, and vivacity. Testosterone decrement can also bring along pains in the bones and articulations, a lower sense of taking the initiative and a boost in the mental aggressiveness. In other words, experts explain this decrement as being similar to the aging process’ acceleration.
How to balance testosterone levels?
Most doctors choose to treat low levels of testosterone with injections, gels, creams or plasters. The treatment is meant to be followed all life, and it is similar to that therapy substituting estrogens, for women.
Patients who undergo a substitutive treatment will be very attentively monitored, doctors say. Initially, patients can feel well, but if the levels increase too much, they can become aggressive and agitated. At every five years, each man should monitor their testosterone levels so that no surprises can occur.
Keeping track of the testosterone levels in young men is recommended only to establish the base level at which a man is considered to be healthy. Afterwards, the doctor will be able to compare the values with these baselines, as the aging takes place and it will be assured that no sudden decrement of this level will occur.