Dr Prabhjot Gill: How Low Testosterone Levels Affect Your Mental Health?

1. Dr Prabhjot Gill: How Low Testosterone Levels Affect Your Mental Health? What is Testosterone and its Function: Testosterone is a hormone present in both males and females. It is more active in males and is responsible for many physical and mental aspects. Testosterone is produced in the testicles of males. It is responsible for muscle growth, libido, bone density, sperm production. All of these are physical aspects. However, its effect on mental health is still unknown

2. to many people. That is what we will discuss today. What Causes Low Testosterone Levels? The varying levels of testosterone are very common in most men. After the age of 30, the testosterone levels start to fall very gradually, and that is normal is most men. It is difficult to state a “normal” T level. It varies with age and many other factors. Low testosterone levels are medically termed as Hypogonadism. It can affect a man at any stage of life: during fetal development, puberty, or maturity. Testosterone levels are affected by many factors. It can be caused during the prenatal stage, or by physical injuries, genetics, infections, or diseases. Hormonal imbalances can also be caused by medications and cancer treatment. Dr Prabhjot Gill would be able to answer any queries you have regarding this. Influence of Low Testosterone on Health Testosterone is responsible for a lot of physical functions in a man’s body. Low libido and sex drive are some of the main effects of low T levels. Reaching and maintaining erection becomes difficult. Infertility is also a symptom of dipping T hormones. Bone density, muscle mass, and production of red blood cells are maintained by testosterone. Most of the time, these symptoms are manifest through low energy, weight gain, insomnia, and changes in

3. sleep patterns. Effects of Low Testosterone on Mental health Symptoms for low T are not only physical. It affects mental health immensely. Testosterone boosts mood and gives you a sense of happiness and wellbeing. This state of mind gets immensely affected when the hormone levels drop. Some of its effect on mental health is: Depression You first need to understand that low T can cause depression, but not vice versa. Depression doesn’t necessarily reduce testosterone levels. You might feel blue, melancholy, and unlike yourself as some of the symptoms. It is essential to visit a doctor and seek medical help if you feel depressed and find out if low T is the cause. Anxiety Increased stress level is another manifestation of low testosterone. Higher stress and anxiety can cause disturbances in your sleep cycle and insomnia. All of these can trigger a sense of low self-esteem and lower motivation as too. Moodiness and mood swings

4. Severe mood swings and irritability are certain things you might experience. You might also experience a lack of concentration or even a sense of giving up. This emotional fatigue adds to the low sex drive and desire to have sex. How To Boost Your Testosterone Diagnosis and Treatment Low testosterone can be diagnosed by a simple blood test to measure the testosterone level. There is nothing much to worry about if you get diagnosed with low T. There are several medical treatments and natural solutions to boost your testosterone. Some medical treatments are through injections, gels, and skin patches. However, there might be some risks to some medications. Some drugs also imply long term use. Therefore many people make some lifestyle changes to boost their testosterone. Even if you are going through medical treatment, natural lifestyle changes are essential for better mental and physical health. Some natural ways to increase your testosterone can be: Regular Exercise Dr Prabhjot Gill say regular exercise like a morning jog, freehand exercises, aerobics, or intense weight lifting can help you a lot. These activities improve your testosterone levels. These also help you to lose weight and boost your self-esteem and body image issues. Insomnia and Sleep disturbances reduce when teamed with proper exercise.

5. Maintaining a Healthy Diet However, you should not overdo it and have a steady, healthy diet to gain all the energy you need. Invest in proteins, carbs, and fats. Plan a standard diet so that you neither overeat nor fast. The right diet will keep your energy level up and ensure concentration. Studies have found that mineral supplements like Vitamin D, Magnesium, zinc prevent low testosterone. Eating food rich in these minerals and staying out in the sun is an effective way to ensure good health. Seeking Counselling You can seek counseling sessions for your depression, anxiety, and stress issues. Meditation, Yoga, Happiness courses help to improve your mental well-being along with keeping your T levels in check Conclusion In today’s day and age, there is always a medical solution to most diseases. If you are feeling some of these above symptoms lately, you should get checked soon. You can take suggestions to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Your health is an asset, do not let go of it. “Dr Prabhjot Gill MBBS MRCGP(2016)”