Menopause is not just a “women’s issue.” At Renew Vitality, we believe that it’s vital for men to realize they can also develop male menopause, especially if they’re over the age of 30. Low testosterone (low T), another name for male menopause, affects as much as 2% of the adult male population in the US.
As one of the nation’s leading experts in men’s health and wellness, part of the Renew Vitality mission is to educate men on the specific health concerns that directly impact their mental and physiological well-being. Since low T affects a vast majority of American men, it’s essential to know the basics of the diagnosis, how it affects the body, and how to find treatment in Coral Gables.
Male Menopause, Explained
Medical professionals frequently refer to male menopause as either low T or hypogonadism. It’s a condition based on testosterone production.
Men begin producing testosterone in utero, starting as early as three months after conception. However, T levels naturally fluctuate. The highest spike happens right before puberty to help the body transition into adulthood.
Teenage boys experience rapid physical changes as a result of higher testosterone levels. Their voice gets deeper, shoulders and jawline become more defined and facial and body hair appears along with other stereotypical changes.
According to the Mayo Clinic, T levels gradually decline by 1% every year after 30. That might not sound like a lot, but it adds up over time. Also, lifestyle choices like smoking, excessive drinking, and genetic preconditions can exacerbate decreasing T levels. Once T levels drop below 300 ng/dL, men are diagnosed with low T.
Do I have Low T?
It’s easy to notice symptoms and then ignore them; however, at Renew Vitality, we stress the importance of listening to the body. Low T often goes undiagnosed because men are unaware of the symptoms, or they assume the signs are just the consequences of getting older.
Low T directly affects sexual development and function in adult males. One of the most common complaints of hypogonadal men is a loss in libido or sexual desire. In one study following men in their 40s, 28% of men with low T also had low libido.
Men can have T levels lower than 300 ng/dL but remain sexually active. In some cases, while their libido has not changed, their ability to develop and maintain erections dramatically decreases. Because testosterone is a vital component of spermatogenesis, the process that creates sperm, low T is also associated with a low sperm count and infertility.
Male pattern baldness is a condition that affects more than 50 million adult American Males. The three common reasons men over 50 lose their hair are genetics, age, and hormones. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a byproduct of testosterone and can become unbalanced in hypogonadal men, especially if they are genetically predisposed to be sensitive to DHT. Men may notice hair loss all over the body, with thinning on the chest, back, and forearms.
Hormones like testosterone regulate the body’s sleep and wake cycle. Men with low T can find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Not getting enough sleep can cause compounding effects that are increasingly detrimental to T production.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, men ages 26-64 should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. In one study, researchers limited male participants to only 5 hours of sleep a night and found their T levels decreased by 10 to 15%.
In a 2012 study by the American Urological Association, men with sleep apnea were almost 50% more likely to have low T than men without sleep apnea. Their findings suggest that adequate testosterone production is severely compromised when men don’t get a restful, undisturbed sleep.
If men sleep for fewer hours, then their T levels will be lower, and they can even develop serious conditions like sleep apnea.
Finding Good Low Testosterone Treatment in Coral Gables
Coral Gables is most known for its gorgeous ivy-covered mansions and breathtaking historical landmarks like the Biltmore Hotel and the Venetian Pool. The “Miracle Mile” located in downtown Coral Gables is packed with high-fashion shops, art galleries, luxury boutiques, classy restaurants, and live theaters.
Even though there are approximately 50,000 residents, which is around 3,600 residents per square mile, there are only seven offices offering treatment for low testosterone. The median age for adult men is 38, which is a prime age for men to start seeking testosterone treatment.
Renew Vitality Can Help
While there are only a handful of choices for Coral Gables residents, the area is home to Renew Vitality, one of the nation’s leading providers of hormone replacement therapy. You can find us at 3850 Bird Rd., Suite 402B, Miami, FL, 33146, near Merrick Park and across the street from Four Points by Sheraton Coral Gables. Give us a call to book a consultation and learn more about how holistic low testosterone treatment can make you feel like yourself again.