Are you aware of how big of a role testosterone plays in your sex life? What can you do to make sure that your testosterone levels are ideal for optimal sexual health? How do you fix your testosterone problems fast to improve the quality of your sexual encounters?
The importance of testosterone – What testosterone does for the body
In men, testosterone serves as the primary sex hormone. It is mainly produced in the testicles and is involved in a lot of essential bodily processes, most particularly in various sexual and reproductive functions, including:
-
- Regulating libido
- Distributing body fat
- Bone and muscle development
- Producing new red blood cells
- Producing sperm
- Genital development
- Growing of body hair, deepening of the voice, and other changes that occur during puberty
In general, testosterone levels in men reach their peak during late teens or early 20s, and gradually decline as they age. The normal testosterone levels in men range from around 300 nanograms per deciliter to 1,070 nanograms per deciliter, with an average level of about 680 nanograms per deciliter. If your testosterone is lower or higher, your hormones are out of balance and have to be treated as soon as possible.
Testing your testosterone levels – How to know if you have low testosterone
To determine your testosterone levels, you have to get a testosterone level test. You can go to the doctor to take one. The steps involved in a testosterone level test are as follows:
-
- A sample of your blood is drawn, usually from your arm.
- Your blood sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
- If your test results show that your testosterone is below 300 nanograms per deciliter, this means you have low testosterone.
For accurate results, you should do the test in the morning, preferably between 7 am and 10 am, as testosterone levels tend to be at their highest during these hours of the day.
Effects of low testosterone – How having low testosterone can ruin your sex life
If your testosterone levels are low, there are many negative side effects that can occur, especially ones that can make sex less fun and enjoyable for you and your partner. Below are examples of the effects of low testosterone on one’s sex life:
-
-
It can reduce your libido
-
Testosterone is vital to the regulation of a man’s libido or sex drive, so if there is not enough testosterone produced, the risk of suffering from reduced libido increases. You may not get aroused even after some sexual stimulation, or even totally lose interest in engaging in sex. This can put you in many embarrassing and frustrating situations, and even be in conflicts with your sex partner.
-
-
It can lower your sperm production
-
Testosterone is essential in the production of sperm. It needs to work together with follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH to facilitate sperm production. If your testosterone levels are low, you may experience a decline in the amount of sperm produced by your body. You may also have sperm that are low quality, i.e. have poor structure and low motility, which can make fertilizing an egg difficult. If not treated right away, this can lead to infertility.
-
-
It can cause erectile issues
-
Testosterone helps in getting and maintaining erections for sex. If you do not have enough testosterone in the body, you may have trouble achieving an erection and sustaining an erection that is hard and long-lasting to satisfy you and your partner. If these erectile difficulties start to occur more frequently, you may be on your way to developing erectile dysfunction, which can seriously impact your sexual health.
-
-
It can lead to a decline in your energy levels
-
Testosterone is important in growing and developing strong and healthy bones and muscles, which are key to optimal physical performance and high energy. If you have good strength, stamina, flexibility, and endurance, you will have no trouble lasting long enough in bed to pleasure your partner.
-
-
It can affect your mood and mental health
-
Testosterone can also contribute to a man’s mood and mental health. According to studies, men who have low testosterone levels are more likely to experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. Furthermore, men with low testosterone tend to have difficulty managing their stress levels, making them more easily upset, irritable, and moody.
Treating low testosterone – How to boost your testosterone levels
If your testosterone level test results indicate that you have low testosterone, you should talk to your doctor about how to treat your condition. There are many treatment options available, and your doctor will recommend one to you, depending on certain factors, such as the cause of your low testosterone and the severity of the problem.
Medications to increase testosterone
Your doctor may prescribe testosterone therapy to boost your testosterone levels. They may advise you to take a shot of testosterone injection once every 10 or 14 days, apply testosterone skin patches or gels on a daily basis, or use testosterone pellets to introduce more testosterone into your body.
Foods to increase testosterone
Eating certain foods can be beneficial to your testosterone levels. Some examples of foods that have testosterone-boosting abilities are oysters, tuna, shellfish, eggs, milk, beans, and beef.
Exercises to increase testosterone
There are exercises that can help raise your testosterone levels. Some highly recommended ones are beginner-friendly ones like running, swimming, cycling, and biking; weight training routines like deadlifts, bench presses, squats, dips, and pull-ups; and high-intensity interval training or HIIT, which include a variety of exercises, including jump squats, burpees, butt kicks, jumping lunges, forearm plank, and mountain climbers.
Quitting bad habits to increase testosterone
Smoking and taking illicit drugs can cause your testosterone levels to decrease, so you have to quit them and allow your body to detoxify. Excessive consumption of alcohol can also be detrimental to your testosterone production, so stop drinking or at least minimize your intake.
