Males may experience low testosterone as they get older or due to some health conditions. Symptoms can be subtle, but treatment may help if the symptoms affect your lifestyle.
Testosterone is a
Low testosterone (hypogonadism) is when your testosterone levels drop below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).
People may also refer to low testosterone as:
- low T
- male menopause
- andropause
- testosterone deficiency
Testosterone production typically decreases with age. According to the American Urological Association (AUA), 4 in 10 males ages 45 years and older have low testosterone.
Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for low testosterone.
Who can have low testosterone?
People assigned male at birth and people assigned female at birth produce testosterone, but this article focuses on symptoms of low testosterone in people assigned male at birth.
Some doctors may prescribe testosterone off-label to females to improve libido, but this use has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Though sex and gender exist on a spectrum, the studies and surveys below used the terms “male” and “men” and did not report data on, or include, participants who were transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer, agender, or genderless.
This article uses the terms “male” and “men” to maintain the specificity and accuracy of the research.
If your testosterone production drastically drops, you may experience a range of symptoms. Signs of low testosterone are often subtle and may include the following:
Low sex drive
Testosterone plays a
Difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection
Testosterone aids in achieving and maintaining an erection. It tells brain receptors to produce nitric oxide, which is a molecule that helps trigger a series of chemical reactions to produce an erection.
With low T, you may have difficulty achieving an erection before sex or having spontaneous erections, such as during sleep. This is known as erectile dysfunction.
Research suggests that up to
Other health conditions associated with erectile difficulties may include:
Smoking and alcohol use can also contribute.
Fatigue
Males with low testosterone may experience extreme fatigue and decreased energy. You may have low T if you’re consistently tired despite getting plenty of sleep or if you find it harder to get motivated to exercise.
Decreased muscle mass
Some research suggests that low T is associated with a decrease in muscle mass. However, studies on the effects of low T on muscle strength and function are mixed.
Increased body fat
Low testosterone levels may lead to an
Low T is also
Decreased bone mass
Osteoporosis is a condition that affects bone density, and testosterone helps produce and strengthen bones.
People with low testosterone, especially older males, may have lower bone volume and be more susceptible to bone fractures.
Mood changes
- stress
- irritability
- low self-esteem
- anxiety
- dissatisfaction with life (dysphoria)
- depression
Memory
Both testosterone levels and cognitive functions, particularly memory, decline with age. As a result, doctors have theorized that lower testosterone levels may contribute to affected memory.
According to a
However, a
Smaller testicle and penis size
The body requires testosterone to develop the penis and testicles.
Low blood counts
A
Hair loss
Testosterone plays a role in hair production, including body, facial, and pubic hair.
Balding is a natural part of growing older for many males and it may be hereditary, but people with low testosterone may lose body and facial hair, too.
Learn more about hair loss and testosterone.
Hot flashes
Some research suggests that hot flashes may be a symptom of very low testosterone levels.
In a
It’s important to note hot flashes occurred during prostate cancer treatment. More research on the link between hot flashes and low T is needed.
Hot flashes may feel like a sudden sensation of warmth. You may also experience:
- heavy sweating
- reddening of the skin
- night sweats
Testosterone levels naturally decrease as you get older, but other conditions or circumstances may also cause low testosterone. These may include:
- testicle injuries
- cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- stress
- AIDS
- alcohol use disorder
- kidney disease
- cirrhosis of the liver
- pituitary gland conditions
- autoimmune diseases
- infections
- obesity
- metabolic syndrome
- using certain medications
Learn more about the causes of low testosterone.
Healthy male testosterone levels range between 450 and 600 ng/dL. Low testosterone is when testosterone levels fall below 300 ng/dL.
A blood test called a serum testosterone test can determine your testosterone level.
Other testosterone tests may be performed to determine the cause of low testosterone, including:
- serum testosterone
- luteinizing hormone
- blood prolactin level
Learn more about testosterone levels by age.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a common treatment for low testosterone.
According to the AUA, 7 in 10 people receiving treatment for low T are using TRT skin gels. TRT is also available as injections, skin patches, and pellets placed under the skin.
If low testosterone symptoms bother you, speak with a healthcare professional. They could help develop the best treatment plan for you. TRT is a lifelong treatment, so your testosterone levels may drop if you stop treatment.
Learn more about treating low testosterone levels.
What happens when testosterone levels are low?
Low testosterone may affect different body systems, resulting in symptoms that affect memory, mood, bone, muscle, sex drive, and the ability to get or maintain an erection.
What are the signs of low testosterone in males?
You may have low testosterone if you’re experiencing a reduction in your sex drive, difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, hair loss, and fatigue. A doctor can conduct tests, such as a serum testosterone test, to diagnose low testosterone. They may also recommend additional tests to rule out other conditions.
Males experience a gradual decrease in testosterone as they get older. The older you are, the more likely that you’ll have low testosterone.
A variety of factors can cause low testosterone. A doctor can check your testosterone level with a simple blood test.
If you have low testosterone and the symptoms bother you, a doctor may recommend testosterone replacement therapy.
If you would like to know your testosterone levels, LetsGetChecked offers male hormone tests at home at various price points.