What causes low testosterone in young males

Let’s face it: if you’ve been diagnosed with low testosterone, you’ve probably been scouring the internet for answers. Did your testosterone decrease because you spent years drinking alcohol? Do you have low testosterone because you smoke cigarettes? What about that kick to your groin you suffered during that one soccer match? Or maybe you’re worried that your low testosterone was caused by your prior vasectomy or even, masturbation. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. There’s a ton of misinformation out there about low testosterone ( Does masturbation lower testosterone? Let’s address this myth head on: no, hypogonadism is not caused by frequent masturbation or sex — and masturbationdoesn’thave any long-term effects on your testosterone levels. When considering short-term effects, however, more research is needed, as several studies seem to conflict with one another. Testosterone is linked to your Either way you look at it, there is no proven, scientific evidence of long-term negative effects on testosterone levels from masturbation or sexual activity. So rest easy knowing it won’t harm your testosterone levels in any way. Does a vasectomy lower testosterone? Maybe you’ve been What if my vasectomy caused my decrease in low testosterone? Wherever you are on that journey to understanding the ins and outs of this simple and potentially “People...

Healthlineonly shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: • Evaluate ingredients and composition:Do they have the potential to cause harm? • Fact-check all health claims:Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? • Assess the brand:Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Low testosterone levels can affect your libido and cause physical changes, sleep issues, and trouble with emotional regulation. Treatment can increase testosterone levels or treat symptoms. 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: • • • muscle mass/strength • fat distribution • bone density • red blood cell production Because testosterone affects so many functions, its decrease can bring about significant physical and emotional changes. 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...

• SAMPLE TYPES • Saliva • Blood Spot • Dried Urine • Serum • Comparing Sample Types • How to Collect Your Sample • ZRT Test Reports • TEST SPECIALTIES • Andropause • Cardiometabolic Health • Fertility & Hormones • Heavy Metals & Essential Elements • Hormone Balance • Iodine • Menopause • Menstrual Cycle Mapping • Neurotransmitters • Sleep Disturbances • Stress & Hormones • Thyroid Imbalance • Urine Hormones • Vitamin D • Weight Management • Wellness Testing • RESEARCH • Published Articles • Abstracts / Posters • Test Validation • Research Collaboration Inquiry • RESOURCES • BLOG • CONTACT US • Become a Provider • ABOUT US • Our Founder, Dr. David Zava • Our Clinical Consultants • Become a Provider • Careers • Technical Director - Immunochemistry • Events • News Low testosterone in older men, often referred to as “male menopause” or even “andropause” is fairly well known — and testosterone replacement therapy in this age group has not been without its share of controversy, particularly But while a decline in testosterone is a struggle that older men are coming to expect, what about the alarming suggestion that low testosterone is now becoming more prevalent in younger men? An Study of Testosterone Levels in 3 Age Groups The investigators who wrote the article, published in Total testosterone (TT) deficiency, defined as a serum level 30 kg/m 2) was 29.8% in this group. Therefore, the authors of the NHANES-based study argue, using only healthy, non-obese men for the harmoniz...

Low testosterone and age When you think of declining levels of testosterone, you might think of middle-aged or older men. But men under 30 can also experience low testosterone, or “low T.” According to the Low T is a medical condition where your body doesn’t produce enough of the hormone testosterone. Both men and women produce testosterone, but it’s called the “male hormone” because men produce a lot more of it. It’s critical for many male characteristics, including the maturation of male sex organs, sperm development, muscle mass development, voice deepening, and hair growth. Low T can cause a variety of symptoms, including erectile dysfunction, infertility, muscle mass loss, fat gain, and balding. If you think you might be experiencing low T, make an appointment with your doctor. In some cases, it is caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits that you can change. In other cases, it is caused by an underlying medical condition that requires treatment. Your doctor can help you identify the cause of your symptoms and learn how to manage them. Some advertisements for testosterone replacement products may lead you to believe that simply feeling tired or cranky is a sign of low T. In reality, symptoms tend to be more involved than that. Regardless of your age, low T symptoms can include: • erectile dysfunction, or problems developing or maintaining an erection • other changes in your erections, such as fewer spontaneous erections • decreased libido or sexual activity • infertility ...

Testosterone plays an important role in puberty, the time when a young person reaches sexual maturity and becomes able to reproduce. ( The Role of the Hormone Testosterone in Male Puberty During male puberty, the following bodily changes typically occur: • The penis and • Facial, pubic, and body hair develop • The voice becomes deeper • Muscles and bones become stronger • Height growth takes place (1) After puberty, testosterone helps regulate: ( • • Bone density • Fat distribution • Muscle strength and mass • Facial and body hair • Sperm production • How Does Testosterone Affect Sexual Desire? The The Penis Book. “It makes things look, smell, taste, feel, and sound sexier.” It also keeps the tissues of the penis flexible and healthy, allowing for a better erection. When What Causes Low Testosterone Levels In Men? Testosterone levels gradually drop in men as a natural part of aging. Levels may begin to decline when men are in their thirties, and then a reduction of roughly 1 percent a year starts at age 45, according to research . ( Lifestyle factors also have an impact on testosterone production, including exercising too much or not eating a healthy diet. Obesity is strongly linked to lower testosterone levels. Your doctor can order a blood test to find out if your testosterone levels are in the normal range. ( What Does It Mean to Have Low Testosterone, or Low T? In some cases, The use of drugs and alcohol can impact testosterone function and production, says Dr. Spitz. ...

Be open with your doctor about your medical history, all prescription and nonprescription drugs you are now taking, sexual problems, and any major changes in your life. Your doctor will take a thorough history of your symptoms and then complete a physical exam, including your body hair, breast tissue, and the size and consistency of the testes and scrotum. Your doctor will also use blood tests to see if your total testosterone level is low. The normal range depends on the lab that conducts the test. To get a diagnosis of hypogonadism, you need at least two early morning (7–10 AM) blood tests that reveal low testosterone in addition to signs and symptoms typical of low testosterone. The cause of hypogonadism can be investigated further by your doctor. This might include additional blood tests, and sometimes imaging such as a pituitary MRI. Testosterone Facts For Men • Low testosterone comes with age — Testosterone or "T" levels naturally decrease by 1% each year after age 30, though don’t severely deplete, even in advanced age • T production may be disrupted by disorders of the testicles, pituitary gland, or brain • T levels change from hour to hour — highest in the morning; lowest at night • T levels can temporarily lower due to too much exercise, poor nutrition, severe illness, and with certain medications • Normal T levels in adult men should be between 300–1,000 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter), depending on age and lab used • Testosterone must be measured more than once...

Boys often hit a growth spurt at about 14 -- that’s when they start to develop the muscles, physical features, deepening voice, and body hair of an adult. “Often, the boy is the first person to notice it because, when he’s in the locker room, he starts to see that other boys are developing secondary sexual characteristics in puberty, and he isn’t,” says men’s health expert and endocrinologist Bradley Anawalt, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. “And he’s probably more likely to talk to his father about this than his mother.” Dr. Anawalt says that parents might not have any reason to suspect hypogonadism unless they notice that their son’s pals are sprouting up and their son isn’t. For many young men, he points out, this is simply a delay in development that will ultimately correct itself. A look at family history might even reveal that the boy’s father or other male relatives also developed slightly later than their peers. Recent genetic research strongly underscores that the timing of puberty has a genetic basis, and alterations to genes can derail the typical timing of the process. Many young men might find that simply waiting it out is the solution. However, any delayed development can be socially and emotionally difficult for a young man if it doesn’t resolve itself quickly! Hypogonadism 101: Testosterone is one of the hormones that help guide a boy’s development into a man. The gonads -- glands in the testes -- produce this hormone....

Hypogonadism is defined as testosterone deficiency with associated symptoms or signs, deficiency of spermatozoa production, or both. It may result from a disorder of the testes (primary hypogonadism) or of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (secondary hypogonadism). Both may be congenital or acquired as the result of aging, disease, drugs, medications, or other factors. Additionally, a number of congenital enzyme deficiencies cause varying degrees of target organ androgen resistance. Diagnosis is confirmed by hormone levels. Treatment varies with etiology but typically includes gonadotropin-releasing hormone, gonadotropin, or testosterone replacement. Primary hypogonadism involves failure of the testes to respond to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). When primary hypogonadism affects testosterone production, testosterone is insufficient to inhibit production of FSH and LH; hence, FSH and LH levels are elevated. The most common genetic cause of primary hypogonadism is Klinefelter Syndrome (47,XXY) Klinefelter syndrome is the presence of two or more X chromosomes plus one Y, resulting in a phenotypic male. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and is confirmed by cytogenetic analysis... read more . It involves seminiferous tubule dysgenesis, failure of spermatogenesis, Leydig cell hyperplasia, and a 47,XXY karyotype. Secondary hypogonadism is failure of the hypothalamus to produce gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), as in idiopathic hypogonado...

Introduction Beginning at puberty and for the rest of his life, testosterone is essential for every man's health and wellness. The hormone influences body composition, affects psychological health, and enables sexual function. Healthy testosterone levels are vital for feeling and performing your best. While hormones naturally decline when a man turns 30, the loss is usually small and gradual. Today, doctors are seeing more and more cases of low testosterone in young men. Unfortunately, many men are unaware of the signs and symptoms of low testosterone because they believe it only affects older individuals. This article discusses the prevalence of low testosterone in young men, the common signs and symptoms, and treatment options. If something feels "off," it could be altered hormone levels. Familiarizing yourself with this common condition will help you spot and address hormone loss to regain your innate vitality. What is Low Testosterone? Low testosterone is a medical condition in which a man does not produce enough testosterone for biological processes. The hormone is generated in the testes and then enters the bloodstream, where it bonds to cells to perform various essential functions. Doctors consider a testosterone level under 300 ng/dL to be low. While blood testing is necessary to determine your exact level, doctors also assess your symptoms and body changes when diagnosing the condition. How Common is Low Testosterone for Young Men? According to one recent report, ...

Male hypogonadism is decreased production of testosterone, sperm, or both or, rarely, decreased response to testosterone, resulting in Delayed Puberty Delayed puberty is absence of sexual maturation at the expected time. Diagnosis is by measurement of gonadal hormones (testosterone and/or estradiol), luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating... read more , infertility, or both. Diagnosis is by measurement of serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone and by stimulation tests with human chorionic gonadotropin or gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Treatment depends on the cause. (See also Male Hypogonadism Hypogonadism is defined as testosterone deficiency with associated symptoms or signs, deficiency of spermatozoa production, or both. It may result from a disorder of the testes (primary hypogonadism)... read more in adults.) Classification of Male Hypogonadism in Children Other causes are disorders of sexual development such as gonadal dysgenesis (rare), Cryptorchidism Cryptorchidism is failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum; in younger children, it is typically accompanied by inguinal hernia. Diagnosis is by testicular examination, sometimes... read more , bilateral anorchia, Leydig cell aplasia, Noonan syndrome, and Myotonic Dystrophy Myotonic dystrophy is rare, autosomal dominant muscle disorder. Two types are recognized. Both affect voluntary muscles and one also affects involuntary muscles. Symptoms begin at adolescen...