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Men go through many physical changes with the passage of time.
While a good portion of these physical changes is deemed normal development for elderly men (i.e. graying hair), a few of these changes can underscore something potentially insidious happening in your body.
For one, there is a larger susceptibility for men to develop symptomatic hormonal imbalances as they age.
The normal human body has more than 50 hormones, all of which play a vital role in sustaining life and organ function.
From controlling metabolism to overall mood and energy levels, the intricate relationship hormones have with the human body cannot be overstated.
So, when one hormone is out of balance, it can have a ripple effect on various other parts of the body.
If you’d like to learn more, here are the five most common male hormone imbalances, their consequences, and the common symptoms associated with each condition.
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers, traveling in your bloodstream to various tissues and organs.
They help regulate a slew of body processes, including:
- Growth and development
- Metabolism
- Sexual function
- Reproduction
- Mood
All these hormones are produced by the endocrine glands. These special groups of cells are present in different parts of your body and include:
- Pituitary gland
- Pineal gland
- Thymus
- Thyroid
- Adrenal glands
- Pancreas
- Testes and ovaries in male and female
These hormones are often only secreted in microscopic amounts, but they have resounding effects on the body. Even a small shift in hormone levels can have some serious consequences.
Consequences of Male Hormone Imbalance
A slight imbalance in hormone levels can drastically affect the body’s functions. In worse cases, it can even lead to the development of harmful health conditions.
While most instances of hormonal imbalances lead to temporary conditions like an acne outbreak, some imbalances can lead to health conditions such as:
- Infertility
- Weight gain
- Diabetes
- Enlargement of breast tissue
- Thyroid disease
- Obesity
- Loss of muscle mass
- Benign tumors and cysts
- Cancers involving the endocrine system
- Chemotherapy or radiotherapy
No matter the cause, any of these conditions warrant your immediate attention. Contact a medical professional for consultation if you have any health conditions.
5 Common Hormone Imbalances
With dozens of different hormones in the body serving a variety of roles, hormone imbalances can come in different shapes and sizes.
For this reason, men can be afflicted by a variety of different hormone imbalances. Here are five of the most common types of male hormone imbalances.
1. Andropause
Also known as male menopause, andropause is related to the decline of testosterone, or the male sex hormone.
Every year after 30, testosterone levels in your body reduce by about 1%. This reduction leads to low testosterone levels in your body.
While you may think it is not harmful, low testosterone can lead to health conditions such as obesity, muscle loss, and loss of libido.
If you experience low testosterone symptoms, contact a doctor for treatment.
2. Thyroid Imbalance
A thyroid imbalance is another common hormonal imbalance in men.
The thyroid gland’s role is to produce hormones that control the body’s metabolism. Our body’s metabolism is responsible for converting the food we eat into energy.
When a thyroid hormone produced by the glands isn’t functioning as it should, you may develop thyroid disorders like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition wherein your thyroid produces too many thyroid hormones. Grave’s disease (enlarged thyroid gland) and excessive iodine often result in hyperthyroidism.
In contrast, iodine deficiency, non-functioning thyroid gland, and thyroiditis bring about hypothyroidism.
3. Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal insufficiency occurs when your adrenal glands aren’t able to secrete enough cortisol, the hormone responsible for regulating stress.
Sometimes interchangeably considered as adrenal fatigue, this condition is characterized by low cortisol levels and can often cause a plethora of mental and physical symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Muscle weakness
- Body aches
- Digestive problems
If you have symptoms of this disorder, don’t wait until it gets worse. Contact a doctor specializing in adrenal fatigue so that they can prescribe you the right hormone therapy plan to help you recover.
4. Insulin Imbalance
Insulin is a hormone produced in your pancreas. It’s essential for regulating blood sugar levels and helping provide energy to the cells.
If your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) could be the result. Pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, may be another effect of low insulin levels.
In contrast, a high concentration of insulin in the blood leads to hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. Low blood sugar can lead to coma or brain death if it’s in its most severe state.
Furthermore, high insulin levels increase the risk of type 2 diabetes due to insulin resistance.
Diabetes is not a disease to be taken lightly. These symptoms necessitate consultation with a hormone specialist for your well-being.
5. High Testosterone
While testosterone is often dubbed as an indicator of a man’s virility, too much of this hormone can be harmful.
Elevated testosterone can lead to heart problems, potentially resulting in heart attack, cardiovascular disease, or stroke.
High testosterone levels may also result in:
- Lower sperm count
- Infertility
- Aggressive behavior
- Prostate enlargement
- Insomnia and sleep apnea
- Mood swings
- Acne/oily skin
If you experience symptoms of high testosterone, contact your doctor and get the necessary tests done.
Symptoms of Hormone Imbalances
Not all hormone imbalances occur in the same way, nor do they result in the same symptoms.
However, some male hormone imbalances do have overlapping symptoms, including:
- Cognitive function impairment
- Fatigue
- Memory loss
- Low sex drive
- Weight gain
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hair loss
- Depression
While hormonal imbalance has a few symptoms, it may also be caused by other health conditions. The variance of this is why checking up with a doctor is important as they’re equipped to evaluate and diagnose your condition through a deeper lens.
Consult Cleveland’s Top Men’s Clinic for a Medical Consultation
Puberty is the moment when hormone production is at its peak; however, it encounters a slowdown past the age of 40 and beyond.
And, in some cases, hormonal imbalances may result in the culmination of many undesirable problems.
That said, most cases of hormone imbalances can be minimized by undergoing positive lifestyle changes, and if necessary, treatments like testosterone replacement therapy and medications.
Talk with a doctor as soon as you notice any changes in your body, or any unexplained fatigue and tiredness.
You can overcome sexual health conditions with various men’s health treatments recommended by health practitioners at Precise Men’s Medical Center in Cleveland. This includes ED therapy, premature ejaculation therapy, acoustic wave therapy, testosterone treatment, and adrenal fatigue treatment.
Don’t miss out on any opportunities you can find to get the proper treatment and achieve a happy and fulfilling life. Give our team a call today to schedule your appointment.
