Hormone Imbalance Effects on Men

Most men don’t recognize hormonal imbalance until they experience the symptoms and seek medical attention because their quality of life is already getting affected. Hormonal imbalance has symptoms that overlap with changes in the body brought about by lifestyle changes and aging. If left untreated, they can lead to chronic diseases and other stressful health conditions. A small hormonal imbalance can produce side effects throughout the body. The symptoms of hormone imbalance depend on what specific glands or hormones are affected.

For men, the most common types of hormonal imbalances are andropause, (also known as male menopause) hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism.

The most common symptoms of hormone imbalances in men are:

Weight Gain

It is often attributed to low testosterone levels, hypothyroidism, or high cortisol levels. These conditions decrease metabolism which results to unwanted increase in body weight.

Low sex drive

Losing desire for sexual activity is usually caused by underproduction of testosterone. This health issue impacts relationships and can become a difficult psychological challenge to men.

Hair loss

Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are known to trigger hair loss. In addition, a hormone byproduct of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is considered responsible for hair loss. DHT makes hair follicles become smaller, stopping normal hair growth, and causing hair fall.

Erectile Dysfunction

Hormone-induced impotence can be caused by testosterone deficiency, high prolactin (hormone made by pituitary gland), and abnormal thyroid hormone levels. It can cause stress, low self-confidence, and relationship problems as well.

Mood changes

Thyroid disorders and low testosterone levels are factors that can lead to mood changes. Hormonal imbalance could be the reason behind irritability, mood swings, depression, anxiety, and low motivation. However, most men are not aware that these symptoms are hormone related and as a result, they do not receive proper treatment.

Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia)

This condition is considered a telltale sign of hormonal imbalance in male. If breast tissue is large and out of proportion compared to the rest of the body, hormone issues might be the cause. It may indicate that the ratio of testosterone to estrogen (hormone responsible for female physical features and reproduction) has been thrown out of proportion. This may not be physically harmful, but it affects self-confidence and can be emotionally draining.

Fatigue

This comes from a combination of many other symptoms of hormonal imbalance and is a common symptom of andropause. Fatigue is the condition where you feel tired over an extended period. It often results to reduced capability to work and perform everyday activities that can mean lower overall efficiency and sense of achievement.

Male hormonal imbalance and its associated symptoms can be tricky because these are very common symptoms of other ailments. If you suspect that you are experiencing the symptoms, the best thing to do is to talk to a health care provider, such as Dr. Rita Oganwu! She offers Hormones Replacement Therapy which is a safe and effective way of addressing hormonal imbalance! Get started with a free 15-minute discovery call today.