Aging and the Lack of Testosterone
You haven't looked forward to the signs of aging, but they're finally here. You can't deny that your energy has plummeted, that your having a harder time just maintaining your current shape. You find yourself in a depressed state of mind, and you're just not interested in sex like you used to be.
While it's true that as you get older your body slows down, you may be one of the millions of men suffering from andropause without even knowing it. Andropause is the male equivalent to women's menopause, hitting in middle age, usually between ages 40 and 50, but in some cases as early as 35 or as late as 65.
A decline in hormones at a steady rate is part of getting older. Men lose 10% of their testosterone every decade after 30. But still, some men lose much more than this. These are the men who are experiencing andropause.
The less testosterone your body is producing, the more you feel older than your age. We forget how much this invisible steroid hormone does. But you need to pay as much attention to your hormone balance as you do to your cardiovascular system, or your muscles. After all, it's testosterone that helps keep the rest of you in shape. Just consider all that testosterone does for you.
Physically, there are numerous parts of the body that are affected by a decrease in testosterone. Bone density is a big factor. Over 10% of men have osteoporosis, resulting from a lack in bone density. This increases the chance of hip, wrist, and spine fractures, as just a few examples of areas of your body that are affected. Sexual function is also affected, resulting in difficulty maintaining erection, and weak erections. Muscles lose their strength, and the immune system is weakened.