Testosterone disorders-is it a male-only world?

**Testosterone Disorders**

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Is it a world exclusively for men?

In Stanley Kubrick's classic film "A Mechanical Orange," there is one of the most memorable and terrifying scenes: McCollum McDowell chases after a woman wielding a ridiculous, giant sculpted phallus before attacking her to death with it.

In the eyes of testosterone detractors, the history of the world can be glimpsed from this film.

These experts, like some others, believe that "testosterone is harmful."

In cinematic terms, it helps young men experience the taste of old-fashioned ultra-violent violence.

"That's ridiculous," Dr. Adrian Dobbs replied.

He is the director and associate professor of medicine at the Clinical Research Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

He said, "There is no data to suggest that criminals have more testosterone than the average person."

This heated debate surrounding testosterone involves many medical issues.

The debate continues on how male hormones affect male behavior and how much is too much or too little, with no consensus reached on many aspects.

But one thing is clear, and it may be of most interest to you: very few medical questions involve the amount of testosterone a man has.

The Great Debate Over Hormones

One of the members who investigated the potential link between testosterone and violence was James M. Debbs, a professor of social psychology at Georgia State University in Atlanta.

After investigating testosterone levels in men who commit violent crimes, he concluded: "In the general population, men with higher testosterone levels are more prone to violent crimes."

He also claimed that there is some connection between male hormones and uncontrollable behavior.

"Testosterone is clearly a risk factor for bad behavior," Dr. Debbs said. "It can sometimes have a positive side, but it is definitely a dangerous trigger for bad behavior."

Some argue that testosterone is inherently evil and should be held responsible for global catastrophes, let alone world wars.

This claim has confused Dr. DeBos and other medical professionals.

Indeed, testosterone makes men men.

Without testosterone, there would be no male species.

Male hormones begin to be released during fetal development, guiding the development of the penis and testicles.

During puberty, a large amount of testosterone is released, which transforms a boy into a man.

Hormones promote the growth of sex organs, pubic hair, and sexual function.

To those who believe there is too much testosterone in the world and that "we should cut off testosterone," Dr. Deborah offered his somewhat metaphorical observation: "It certainly wouldn't have a big impact on humans, but if you deprive men of libido and the ability to get an erection, we would be in chaos."

**Testosterone Decline**

According to Dr. DeBos and other experts, the real problem is not too much testosterone, but too little.

When you reach a certain age, especially between 50 and 70, your testosterone levels will decrease significantly.

This natural process has led to the idea of ​​"male menopause," which is the focus of debate among Dr. DeBos and other experts. "There is no such thing as male menopause," Dr. DeBos said.

"According to the definition of menopause, it is simply a phenomenon that occurs in women with a significant decrease in sex steroids."

If this happens to a man, it's just a gradual process of reduction.

I think people have indeed misused this word.

**Latest Information**

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> • Commonality: Most men experience a decrease in testosterone levels as they age.

It is estimated that approximately 20% of men will experience a drop in testosterone levels to abnormal levels.

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Risk factors: old age, infection, testicular trauma, pituitary gland disease, testicular tumor, and removal of both testes.

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• Affected age groups: Most experts believe that testosterone levels begin to decline after age 50, and the decline is more pronounced after age 60.

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Gender factors: Female sexual desire is also powered by testosterone.

The amount of testosterone in their blood is 1/20 to 1/10 that of men.

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·Seeking help: Since libido decline can be caused by any disease, it is best to first see a family doctor to determine the general condition; the next step is to see a urologist and an endocrinologist.

Most men do not notice significant changes in their sexual desire and overall physical condition as they age.

"The definition of 'normal' that people hold is actually very vague," said Dr. Lawrence A. Levine.

He is the director of the Men’s Sexual Health Program at Rush Presbyterian Church-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago.

"Over time, many men experience a reduction in testosterone levels of half or more without any adverse effects on their health."

Testosterone levels fluctuate throughout your life.

Generally speaking, when you wake up in the morning, your hormone levels are very high, but they decrease as the day goes by.

Your testosterone levels can drop by half or more during the day, but that's still normal, says Dr. Anthony E. Capas, director of the Atlanta Institute of Endocrinology and Reproduction.

How much testosterone is enough? Dr. Deborah believes it is difficult to have a clear limit, but the average level is about 500 nanograms of testosterone per deciliter of blood.

However, Dr. Capas stated that if a man's test results are between 300 and 1100 nanograms, it is generally considered normal.

Experts say that if your testicular volume is below 300 nanograms, you may need to increase it.

Dr. Debbs said, "We haven't done enough testing on male testosterone."

I believe we failed to make a comprehensive diagnosis.

He is conducting a series of studies on whether hormones have health benefits.

Dr. Capas said that research shows that more than 20% of men over 50 years old have hypogonadism, which means that their testosterone levels are abnormally low.

He said, "This is much more common than people think."

There's nothing you can do to increase your testosterone levels.

Moderate exercise may be helpful, but this idea still belongs to the debate of whether the chicken or the egg comes first.

"Do men with high testosterone levels exercise more often, or do men who exercise more have higher testosterone levels?" Dr. Capas asked.

People believe that stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, and alcohol can reduce testosterone levels.

Severe testosterone deficiency does exist in men in their 40s or younger, but it is rare.

Richard Spark, associate professor of clinical medicine at Harvard Medical School and author of "Men's Sexual Health," said.

This could indicate a medical condition that requires attention.

He said the most likely causes were testicular injury or a testicular tumor, or viral infections such as mumps, or some problem with the pituitary gland, or a problem with the gland that sends hormone signals to the testes to produce testosterone.

When will the inspection be conducted?

There are several symptoms that may indicate you need to have your testosterone levels checked. These symptoms include:

The problem of lack of sexual desire is not whether you can get an erection for intercourse, but whether you have even the most basic sexual desire.

"Sexual drive seems to be more important than sexual ability," Dr. Capas said.

He recalled asking a patient who had undergone testosterone replacement surgery if he had problems with his sex life.

The patient replied, "No."

Dr. Capas then asked him when he last had sexual intercourse.

"Two years ago, but I didn't feel anything," the patient told him.

"It's clear he lacks sexual desire," Dr. Capas said. "If someone truly lacks sexual desire, then the absence of sex won't bother him."

**Symptom 1: Erectile Dysfunction** If you do have sexual urges but cannot achieve or maintain an erection, your testosterone reserves may be low.

**Feeling weak** Men with abnormally low testosterone levels often complain of feeling weak, tired, or exhausted.

Dr. Debbs said: Their energy levels and functional abilities are greatly reduced throughout the day.

Dr. Capas believed that mental acuity would also decrease.

Symptom 2: Studies on low testosterone levels suggest that this may be related to the accumulation of abdominal fat and a reduction in bone and muscle mass.

"Other signs include reduced pubic, armpit, and facial hair, and weight loss," said Dr. Ramawatsey, a geriatrician at St. Louis College of Medicine.

**Fill your inventory**

Men diagnosed with hypogonadism are candidates for testosterone replacement therapy.

Currently, an increase in hormone levels can be achieved by applying plasters to the scrotum or through injections.

Experimental forms include pills, subcutaneous implantation of pills, or plasters applied to non-scrotal skin.

A considerable amount of research is underway to determine whether hormone replacement therapy for men can provide any health benefits.

Studies have shown that testosterone can help build muscle, strengthen bones, prevent heart disease, reduce belly fat, and enhance libido.

However, the study did not show any benefit in increasing the amount of testosterone given to men with normal testosterone levels.

On the contrary, it can produce dangerous side effects, the most significant of which is stimulating pre-existing prostate tumors.

"Testosterone therapy is only suitable for men who are truly lacking testosterone," Dr. Spark said.

"If there is no deficiency, it could actually harm men."

The reason is that if your testosterone levels are within the normal range, taking extra hormones will temporarily reduce your own testosterone production.

Dr. Deborah said, "It does not increase testosterone levels; the total amount will be the same."

But in the future, you will become overly reliant on testosterone obtained from external sources rather than produced by your own body.

There is no evidence that increasing testosterone levels in men with low testosterone levels will arouse their animalistic instincts.

Even researchers who link high testosterone levels to indecent behavior say that social factors play a significant role in male behavior.

"If you encounter a group of Quakers or members of the stricter wing of Mennonites, I suspect they have as many high-testosterone members as anyone else."

Dr. Capas said he only saw the positive effects of increased testosterone and saw no other downsides.

"If anything, it's that they look and feel better and are more energetic," Dr. Capas said.

"I have also met the wives of many of them."

I also had to draft a report saying that they didn't like it making their husbands behave this way.

But in reality, most wives felt extremely happy.