Signs of Hormonal Imbalance in Men

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Let’s get something straight. Men have hormones. Yes. Yes, they do. Hormones are not just for puberty or awkward locker room moments you may have had in high school. And men have more hormones than just testosterone. Now that we have that cleared up, what are those other hormones? Why does it matter that men pay attention to their hormones? And what are the signs of hormonal imbalance in men?

Now that you’re over the shock of discovering that men have hormones-and not only testosterone- let’s have a look at male hormones.

The main hormones that have the largest influence in men include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), estrogen (in small amounts), and testosterone.

These hormones play a role in sperm production, muscle and strength growth, bone density, libido, red blood cell production, fat distribution, production of male characteristics like facial hair, vocal changes, and the development of male sex organs.

All these hormones work synergistically to regulate the processes related to reproduction and testosterone production and regulation.

Bear in mind, men also have non-sex hormones such as insulin, Vitamin D, cortisol, adrenaline, thyroid hormones, and growth hormones.

In women, the importance of hormonal health is obvious. Imbalanced hormones lead to fertility problems and a plethora of health conditions. In men, however, there isn’t as much of an emphasis on hormonal health. But there needs to be.

Hormones play a vital role in men’s bodies. They help regulate everything from muscle growth and fat distribution to energy levels, sex drive, and mood. Sex hormones also play a critical part in the sexual development of boys, plus the development of masculine features.

Hormonal health has a major impact on fertility and the overall state of your health, which is why it is imperative that men pay attention to their hormone health. And since there is such a lack of focus on male hormone health, it’s easy for men to find themselves in a sticky situation with their health because of a hormonal imbalance.

Unfortunately, men don’t escape unscathed when it comes to menopause. That’s right. Men too experience a form of menopause called “andropause”, or male menopause, which is characterized by low testosterone levels.

Whereas women will experience a sudden drop in hormones which triggers menopause, men experience a gradual decrease in testosterone. While this may seem preferable, because the changes aren’t as drastic, it makes it far easier for the hormonal imbalance to go undetected. And since these hormonal changes happen as you age, you may chalk it up to old age and suffer in silence-unnecessarily.

So what are the signs of a hormonal imbalance in men?

• Fatigue
• Depression or anxiety
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Low libido
• Erectile dysfunction
• Difficulty sleeping
• Irritability or mood swings
• Weight gain
• Decreased muscle mass and strength
• Decreased facial and body hair
• Anemia
• Decreased bone density
• Infertility

As you can see, a hormonal imbalance is far from ideal and can have detrimental effects on your physical and mental health, plus your sex life.

Thankfully, male hormones are quite stable, with men’s hormones running on a 24-hour cycle. Typically, your testosterone levels will be highest in the morning, hence the early morning surprises, and lowers throughout the day, with the lowest levels being at night. Aside from your daily hormonal fluctuations, the next most common periods of fluctuations will be during puberty and around age 30 onwards.

During puberty, boys experience a surge in testosterone levels. This can cause a variety of changes, such as an increase in muscle mass, facial hair growth, and a deepening of the voice. It can also cause some unexpected and rather public “uprisings” of the embarrassing variety.

And just when you thought you escaped your hormonal troubles with your dignity mostly intact, your 30s start. This is when testosterone levels begin to decline naturally by about 1% each year. Bear in mind, men can also experience hormonal imbalance at any age due to stress, a poor diet, certain medications, and other factors.

Hormonal imbalance in men can cause a variety of problems, but luckily, there are a number of natural ways to balance your hormones and reduce any symptoms you may be suffering from. Making these lifestyle changes can have a profound impact on hormonal balance, leading to improved overall health.

Dietary changes

Making dietary changes is one of the best things you can do to help your hormones. Eating a healthy diet, rich in whole foods, healthy fats, and plenty of protein will do wonders for your hormone health. 

Additionally, it will help to counteract some of the muscle, strength, and bone density loss and help to improve some of your other symptoms. You should also limit your intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol, as these can all wreak havoc on your hormones.

Exercise

Exercise is another great way to help improve your hormonal health. Exercise helps to reduce stress levels, increase testosterone levels, and improve insulin sensitivity. Plus, it has a plethora of other benefits such as improved sleep, increased energy levels, and a better mood. Since sleep disturbances are a common symptom of a hormonal balance, exercise may also help to counteract insomnia you may be experiencing.

Speaking of sleep, another important piece of the puzzle is getting enough shut-eye. Most people need around 7-8 hours of sleep each night, but this may vary from person to person. Getting adequate sleep is important for overall health, but it’s especially crucial when you’re trying to rebalance your hormones. 

Most of your body’s restorative work happens at night while you’re sleeping, so sleep is incredibly important for hormone health and the regeneration of all your cells and tissues. If sleep is completely evading you, a supplement like the DREAM™ can help you achieve a deep, non-groggy, restful sleep.

You’ve undoubtedly heard about the importance of stress management for your health, but did you know stress decreases testosterone? In a study conducted by Dr. Theorell and colleagues, they found that when job strain was reduced and stress levels dropped, testosterone levels increased. This finding coincides with Dr. Choi and colleagues’ study that found salivary testosterone decreased under stress.

Chronic stress also affects your insulin levels because cortisol, the stress hormone, signals the body to release glucose to deal with the stressor, which in turn suppresses insulin function. According to Dr. Kyle Gillett, a dual board-certified physician in family medicine and obesity medicine, “One of the ways that your body will acclimate to stress including physical stress is increasing cortisol, which is a glucocorticoid, which can decrease muscle mass and cause an increase in blood glucose. If you give someone a medication like prednisone, which is basically a medication version of cortisol, and if you give it to them for a long time, then they will develop diabetes and also excess body fat and decreased muscle mass.”  Over time, chronic stress can affect your insulin sensitivity and may even lead to insulin resistance or exacerbate diabetes.

Since stress has an effect on testosterone levels and insulin levels, it’s crucial to manage your stress levels when you’re trying to rebalance your hormones. Exercise, meditation, and spending time in nature are all great ways to reduce stress. You may also want to consider seeing a therapist to help you work through any major stressors in your life.

Supplementation

If you’re still experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance after making lifestyle changes, you may want to try supplementation. Certain vitamins, minerals, and herbs such as zinc, vitamin D, ashwagandha, and fenugreek may help to support your hormonal health and restore balance. In fact, several studies have found that Ashwagandha has positive effects on serum testosterone levels, with some study subjects experiencing a 14.7% increase in testosterone.

If you’d prefer a complete supplement that may help to increase your testosterone and balance your hormones, consider the Testosterone System. With three lozenges a day, you can re-energize, reduce stress, and improve your sleep to balance your hormones and begin to feel limitless.