Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in males, which fuels their sex drive. As men get older, the levels of this hormone start declining in their bodies. Low levels of testosterone can contribute to sexual problems such as a drop in libido or low sex drive, difficulties with erection function, and ejaculatory disorders. According to the Cleveland Clinic website, erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence can be a strong indication that you might be having low testosterone.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a condition wherein the individual is not able to get erections or sustain them for long. Although this difficulty can be a manifestation of some physiological or psychological factors, low levels of testosterone can significantly affect sexual function and give rise to erection difficulties.
The testosterone hormone is produced by the testicles. Its levels are generally high during adolescence. When males enter their 20s, the levels of this hormone become stable and as they start getting older, it slowly declines. One might not usually experience a sudden decline in testosterone levels, if something like this happens, then there must be some problem.
Given below are some ways in which Low testosterone affects erection function:
Loss of interest in intimacy
The testosterone hormone is responsible for triggering the desire for sexual intimacy. When arousal happens, the blood vessels in the penile receive more blood than usual, because of this, the penile attains erection and it stays erect for some time. But lack of sexual desire prevents the males from becoming sexually aroused, and consequently, they fail to attain erections.
Physiological conditions
Low testosterone can contribute to problems like a decrease in testicular size, decline in bone density and muscle mass, drop in libido, and increase in weight due to rapid fat deposition. Weight gain can in turn potentiate the risk of several other physiological health conditions, which can increase the possibility of chronic erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems.
Weight gain or obesity
Fatigue is one of the primary symptoms of low levels of testosterone, which make an individual extremely lazy as they tend to avoid physical activity. Lack of physical activity and exercise contribute to weight gain. Their energy levels drop down and they feel a lack of motivation to perform any activities. This affects their sex life.
Lack of energy
Low levels of testosterone leads to physical weakness and the person experiences loss of stamina. Low energy and weakness affect sexual stamina and the person fails to get or sustain erections despite becoming sexually aroused.
Psychological factors
Low testosterone can lead to emotional imbalances, leading to mood swings, stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also go the other way around. Such negative emotions can occupy the mind of the individual with pessimistic thoughts and paint a gloomy outlook. This kind of mindset affects arousal, and they may experience failure to get erections.
Tips to increase testosterone levels
One must include foods that can help in boosting the production of testosterone in the body. Foods such as leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, eggs, seeds, nuts, fish, cereals, pulses, legumes, etc. can help increase testosterone production. Moreover, you can also include the use of dietary supplements, by receiving a prescription from their healthcare provider.
Exercises Or Diet
Apart from consuming a clean and nutritious diet, it is equally important to engage yourself in some sort of strength work or anaerobic exercises. Anaerobic exercises utilize a quick or immediate form of energy. These exercises generally incorporate weightlifting, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), yoga, etc. It comprises short, fast, high-intensity workouts that break down glucose, which is already present in your muscles, to obtain energy.
Furthermore, strength training such as weightlifting is beneficial as they provide a boost to testosterone production. Doing these exercises regularly will improve your sex drive and fix libido issues. Weightlifting activities strengthen your upper body and also enhance your stamina.
Lastly, to increase blood circulation to your reproductive organs, you must start doing push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, and pelvic floor exercises. Incorporating some weight-bearing exercises can trigger testosterone production naturally, which is crucial for improving your sexual health and fixing sexual disorders like erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, fertility, and libido problems.
