Common Side Effects of Low Testosterone in Men

4/29/2020 Common Side Effects of Low Testosterone in Men
Low Testosterone in Men

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, MD on February 27, 2019 —
Written by The Healthline Editorial Team and Ana Gotter
Sexual function Physical changes Sleep disturbances

Emotional changes Other causes Treatment Takeaway
Overview
Testosterone is a hormone found in humans. Men have much
higher levels of testosterone than women. Production
increases during puberty and starts to decrease after age 30.
For each year over age 30, the level of testosterone in men
starts to slowly dip at a rate of around 1 percent per year. A
decrease in testosterone level is a natural result of aging.
Testosterone helps maintain a number of important bodily

functions in men, including:
sex drive
sperm production
muscle mass/strength 
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fat distribution
https://www.healthline.com/health/side-effects-of-low-testosterone#takeaway 1/16
bone density
red blood cell production
Because testosterone affects so many functions, its decrease

can bring about significant physical and emotional changes.
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Sexual function
Testosterone is the hormone most responsible for sex drives
and high libidos in men. A decrease in testosterone can mean
a decrease in libido. One of the biggest worries faced by men
with declining testosterone levels is the chance that their
sexual desire and performance will be affected.
As men age, they can experience a number of symptoms

related to sexual
A D V E R T I Sfunction
EMENT that may be a result of lowered levels
of this hormone.
These include:
reduced desire for sex

fewer erections that happen spontaneously, such as
during sleep
infertility
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not commonly caused by low

testosterone production. In cases where ED accompanies
lower testosterone production, hormone replacement therapy
may help your ED.
These side effects typically don’t happen suddenly. If they do,

lower testosterone levels may not be the only cause.
Physical changes
A number of physical changes can happen to your body if you
have low testosterone levels. Testosterone is sometimes
referred to as the “male” hormone. It helps increase muscle
mass, leads to body hair, and contributes to an overall
masculine form.
Decreases in testosterone can lead to physical changes

including the following:
increased body fat

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
decreased strength/mass of muscles
fragile bones
decreased body hair
swelling/tenderness in the breast tissue
hot flashes
increased fatigue
effects on cholesterol metabolism

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Sleep disturbances
Low testosterone can cause lower energy levels, insomnia and
other changes in your sleep patterns.
Testosterone replacement therapy may contribute to or cause

sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that 
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causes your breathing to stop and start repeatedly while you
sleep. It can disrupt your sleep pattern in the process and raise
your risk for other complications, like having a stroke.
On the other hand, changes in the body that occur as a result

of sleep apnea can lead to low testosterone levels  .
Even if you don’t have sleep apnea, low testosterone can still
contribute to a decrease in the hours of sleep. Researchers
aren’t yet sure why this happens.
Emotional changes
In addition to causing physical changes, having low levels of
testosterone can affect you on an emotional level. The
condition can lead to feelings of sadness or depression. Some
people have trouble with memory and concentration and
experience lowered motivation and self-confidence.
Testosterone is a hormone that affects emotional regulation.

Depression has been linked to men with low testosterone. This
could result from a combination of the irritability, decreased sex
drive, and fatigue that can come with low testosterone.
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Other causes
While each of the symptoms above may be a result of a
lowered testosterone level, they may also be normal side
effects of aging. Other reasons that you might experience
some of these symptoms include:
a thyroid condition
injury to testicles
testicular cancer
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infection
HIV
type 2 diabetes
side effects of medications
alcohol use
genetic abnormalities that affect the testicles
pituitary gland problems
To determine what’s causing these symptoms for you,

schedule an appointment with your doctor
According to a study published in Clinical Endocrinology, the

testosterone-level goal for men over 65 is approximately 350–
450 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter). This is the midpoint of the
normal range for the age group.
Treatment
Regardless of the reason you’re experiencing low testosterone,
treatment options are available to increase testosterone or
reduce unwanted side effects.
Testosterone therapy
Testosterone therapy can be delivered in several ways:
injections into the muscle every few weeks


patches
A D V Eor
R T Igels applied to the skin
SEMENT
a patch that is applied inside the mouth
pellets that are inserted under the skin of the buttocks
Testosterone therapy is not recommended for those who have

experienced or are at a high risk of prostate cancer.
Losing weight and being physically active
Exercising more and losing weight can help slow the decrease
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of testosterone your body is experiencing.
Erectile dysfunction medication
If your most concerning symptom from lower testosterone is

erectile dysfunction, erectile dysfunction medications may help.
Sleeping aids
If you’re unable to get relief from insomnia using relaxation and

natural remedies, sleeping medications may help.
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
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Takeaway
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of low testosterone, ask
your doctor to test your levels. A diagnosis can be made with a
simple blood test, and there are a variety of treatment options
to reduce unwanted side effects of low T.
Your doctor can also help you determine if there’s an

underlying cause triggering your low testosterone.
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4/29/2020 Common Side Effects of Low Testosterone in Men

Low Testosterone in Men

Sexual function Physical changes Sleep disturbances

Testosterone helps maintain a number of important bodily

Because testosterone affects so many functions, its decrease

As men age, they can experience a number of symptoms

reduced desire for sex

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not commonly caused by low

These side effects typically don’t happen suddenly. If they do,

Decreases in testosterone can lead to physical changes

increased body fat

decreased strength/mass of muscles

swelling/tenderness in the breast tissue

effects on cholesterol metabolism

Testosterone replacement therapy may contribute to or cause

On the other hand, changes in the body that occur as a result

Testosterone is a hormone that affects emotional regulation.

Get Answers from a Doctor in Minutes, Anytime

ASK A DOCTOR NOW

To determine what’s causing these symptoms for you,

According to a study published in Clinical Endocrinology, the

Testosterone therapy can be delivered in several ways:

injections into the muscle every few weeks

a patch that is applied inside the mouth

pellets that are inserted under the skin of the buttocks

Testosterone therapy is not recommended for those who have

Losing weight and being physically active

Erectile dysfunction medication

If your most concerning symptom from lower testosterone is

If you’re unable to get relief from insomnia using relaxation and

Your doctor can also help you determine if there’s an

Get our weekly Men's Health email

Enter your email

Your privacy is important to us

READ THIS NEXT

Diet Right: 8 Testosterone-Boosting

Do you have low testosterone? Several foods are potentially

9 Signs of Low Testosterone

Testosterone is a hormone produced by the human body. It’s

Connecting Testosterone and Zinc

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, MD, MPH

Low testosterone can be caused by many treatable medical

The Effects of Low Testosterone on the

Testosterone is a vital male hormone that is responsible for the

Signs of Low Testosterone in Men

Is it possible to have low testosterone when you’re under the

8 Causes of Low Libido in Men

It's common to lose interest in sexual activity from time to time,

What Do You Want to Know About Low

Lower testosterone is natural as you age. Learn how to tell

Low Testosterone and Depression: Is

Low testosterone (low T) can cause several changes in your

The Connection Between Low T and

Is there a link between low testosterone levels and headaches

Get our wellness newsletter

Enter your email

Your privacy is important to us

About Us Health Topics

Health News Contact Us

Find An Online Doctor Do Not Sell My Info

© 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. All rights

informational purposes only. Healthline Media does not provide medical

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