Low Testosterone Levels: The Unusual Factors That Lower Your Levels
As men, we’re constantly seeking ways to increase our testosterone levels. When it comes to maintaining a healthy level of testosterone, there are some surprising factors that can throw your manly hormones off. Let’s take a deeper look into what could be impacting the ups and downs of this essential male hormone!
High Stress Levels
When it comes to testosterone, stress is the enemy. Chronic stress doesn’t just affect our mood and energy levels; it also affects our hormones. Research has found that chronic stress leads to lower testosterone levels in men, due to its role in suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis—the system responsible for producing hormones like testosterone. So, if you want to keep your testosterone levels up, work on reducing stress wherever possible!
Soy Consumption
Contrary to what many people think, soy isn’t a health food miracle. In fact, research has shown that regular consumption of soy products can lead to decreased testosterone levels in men due to their high estrogen content. So, while occasional servings of edamame or tofu may not be a problem, consider limiting your intake or avoiding them altogether if you’re looking for an edge in terms of hormone health.
Alcohol Consumption
We all know that too much alcohol is bad for our health—but did you know it could also affect your hormones? Studies have found that drinking alcohol regularly can lead to lower levels of testosterone in both men and women, so consider limiting your intake if you want to keep your hormone balance in check.
Sleep Deprivation
Another unexpected thing that lowers testosterone levels is sleep deprivation. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces higher levels of cortisol—a stress hormone—which has been linked to decreased testosterone production. To keep your hormones balanced, try to get at least seven hours of restful sleep each night.
While there are many factors contributing towards low levels—such as age and lifestyle habits—there are also some surprising elements at play as well! From stress and soy to alcohol consumption, pay attention to these less talked about influences on your hormones so you can make sure they’re performing at their peak! Men – arm yourself with knowledge so you can maintain healthy hormone balance!
The ADAM (Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male) questionnaire, created by Dr. John E. Morley, is a widely recognized tool for identifying androgen deficiency, or low testosterone, in men. Research highlights that androgen deficiency is prevalent among aging men and often mistaken for normal aging symptoms.
A study validating the quantitative ADAM (qADAM) questionnaire found a statistically significant correlation between qADAM scores and serum testosterone levels. This highlights the qADAM questionnaire’s effectiveness in detecting androgen deficiency and evaluating treatment responses. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19657348/
Every question must be answered. Results will be shown after submitting the form (pressing the ‘calculate score’ button below).