When most people think about testosterone, they often consider the ways it affects performance, sexual function, muscle mass and libido in men. However, testosterone also plays an important role in your mental health and can cause several physical and emotional symptoms if you have low testosterone.
What Causes Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone is usually the result of the natural aging process and starts to decrease each year after the age of 30. Other factors that may cause low testosterone levels include:
Obesity
Certain medications
Severe emotional stress
Underlying disease
Physical injury to the testicles
Chemotherapy and radiation
How Does Low Testosterone Affect Mood?
Commonly known as the male sex hormone, testosterone isn’t just responsible for libido and muscle mass, but it also plays an important role in mental health. Having low testosterone can cause many mental health symptoms, such as:
Irritability
Mood swings are a common symptom of andropause, a hormone imbalance in men that often occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. Low levels of testosterone and high levels of the stress hormone cortisol can cause irritability. Behaviors may also include anger, anxiety and hostility.
Depression
Low testosterone may also cause depression in older men. According to a study, the mean testosterone levels in patients with no symptoms of depression were significantly greater than those with depressive symptoms. Another study showed that low serum testosterone was associated with an 86% increased hazard of depression.
Lack of focus
While it is normal to struggle with maintaining concentration every now and then, men with low levels of testosterone may experience a lack of focus, which can negatively affect their life. Having low levels of testosterone may result in the difficulty to concentrate and perform basic daily tasks. This is because testosterone plays a critical role in supporting cognitive and organizational tasks.
Getting started with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)
Testosterone replacement therapy can be an effective solution for mood changes caused by low testosterone. ReEnvisionMD takes a comprehensive approach to TRT, restoring healthy testosterone levels and helping men regain a sense of empowered living. Our TRT program targets the precise cause of hormone imbalance through customized treatment plans based on individual patient needs. If you believe you may have low testosterone or are interested in increasing your testosterone levels, contact us today to get started.
