A lot of factors can lead to a rapid decline in the testosterone levels, among which is, of course, stress. So can stress cause low testosterone? It sure can. Stress already has so many different negative effects on our health. So it should not come as a surprise to hear its negative effects on the male testosterone levels. The truth is that being under a lot of stress puts you at risk. Especially during a long period of time, stress can cause testosterone decline at an early age. Today we explore the problem of low testosterone levels due to stress. As always, we offer you a little peace of mind by sharing some effective tips and tricks on how to improve your testosterone levels naturally.
The Signs of Low Testosterone You Should Not Ignore
Similar to the encounter with low estrogen levels during menopause, men, as well as women, are facing a hormonal imbalance in their old age. Various signs and symptoms develop as a result. Due to the aging process, men start to face signs such as hair loss, muscle mass and bone mass loss, insomnia, and erectile dysfunction. Weight gain and early ejaculation are common too. All of this happens due to the decline in their testosterone levels. The sad part is that more and more men today are facing the problem of low testosterone levels way too early.
You see, a lot of factors can influence your testosterone production including an unhealthy diet, not enough sleep, and unhealthy habits such as excessive drinking, smoking and taking drugs. Lack of physical activity plays a role too. So do different diseases, injuries to the testicles, prostate cancer, and one quite common one – stress. Low testosterone levels increase the risk of depression and anxiety. They can harm your relationship with your partner and even cause infertility due to poor sperm count, motility and quality. This makes low testosterone levels a problem that requires immediate attention.
How Cortisol and Testosterone Work Against Each Other
Now we mentioned stress as one of the common causes for low testosterone levels, but we would like to discuss this a little bit more. Cortisol – the stress hormone in the human body – simply does not work well alongside testosterone. Studies prove that the two hormones fight each other. As soon as your cortisol levels go up, your testosterone levels start to drop. Even the slightest increase in cortisol levels causes your testosterone levels to drop. This is what happens when you are under a lot of stress. It is why your testosterone levels decline, especially during a long period of ongoing cortisol production in the body.
This should not surprise you if you take the time to think about all of the negative effects that stress has on our bodies. For starters – the increased risk of heart attack, stroke, depression, anxiety, obesity, and diabetes. And before you doubt our sayings, please take time to read one of the many scientific studies done on this exact topic. The study that we are talking about was published in the European Journal of Applied Pathology which confirms the relationship between cortisol and testosterone.
On the other hand, no scientific research tells the opposite story. Raising your testosterone levels does not bring down cortisol on its own. So if you are interested in reducing your stress levels, think about some relaxation techniques. Yoga and meditation work great. Even just getting a good night sleep can help.
How to Lower Cortisol and Improve Your Testosterone Levels
If you are experiencing low testosterone levels we would like to discuss with you about the possibility of using a few effective tips and tricks. These would include getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep, eating a healthy diet, and eliminating any unhealthy habits. Getting rid of stress is also a big one. If none of that seems to do the trick, you might want to think about getting your hormone levels checked by a doctor. A lot of men put this off for way too long. But getting a blood panel done gives you a clear picture of what is going on inside your body. That alone can make a big difference.
Now here is something that a lot of men do not know about. It is quite important – low testosterone can also cause anxiety and even depression. You see, when your testosterone levels drop, your body has a harder time dealing with stress. You end up feeling even more anxious and overwhelmed than before. And then that extra anxiety causes your cortisol to go up again, which pushes your testosterone even further down. The whole thing becomes this nasty cycle that just keeps getting worse.
So if you have been feeling more stressed out or anxious than usual, look into whether your testosterone levels might be part of the problem. Same goes if your mood has not been great lately. A lot of the time what feels like just stress or anxiety is actually your hormones being off. And that is something you can work on once you know what you are dealing with.
Conclusion
Low testosterone levels can harm your health, both mental and physical. They cause great dissatisfaction in your everyday life, relationship, and sex life. You need to pay attention to this problem and deal with it as soon as possible. One of the causes of a rapid testosterone decline is stress. Knowing how stress has so many different negative effects on our body already, you should not think twice. Go ahead and eliminate it from your life. And while you are at it, think about getting your hormone levels checked. You might be surprised at what a simple blood test can tell you.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2686330/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5128352/
https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/10-fixable-stress-related-health-problems#1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15618989
