Male Libido and Testosterone
Testosterone in men is produced primarily by the testes and secondarily by the adrenal glands. It is this hormone that affects the male personality the most. In Men, the hormone is responsible for the following characteristics:
- Positive Mood
- Low body fat to muscle ratio
- Bone strength or Bone Density
- Male Libido (ie. Sex Drive)
(Note on Bone Density: That is why women need this hormone in menopausal years.)
Testosterone production dramatically rises and peaks in puberty and adolescense and is responsible for the major body changes that take place. This also includes deepening the voice, beard growth and torso hair growth. So why is testosterone so important?
Testosterone and Aggression
Testosterone is the hormone most responsible for “maleness”. That characteristic is most associated with risk taking and aggression. These are not bad characteristics when controlled properly. Risk taking can lead to better “provision” for ones family. Recent news articles have shown how higher testosterone males earn more that their low testosterone level counterparts. Aggression can be properly associated with defense and protection. So the next time there is a strange noise coming from downstairs, you’ll wish an aggressive male were there to check it out. It is interesting to note that men have 40 to 60 times more testosterone than females, but females do require this hormone and function poorly without it.
Men and the Decline in Testosterone Hormone
There is good science that show that testosterone declines about ten percent per decade beginning in the thirties. Men start feeling the effects of lower testosterone levels beginning in their forties and the symptom tend to grow stronger as the years add on. At some point these symptom become severe enough to impact their life. This period of life has a name: Andropause.
Symptoms of Andropause
The following is a list of many of the symptoms of andropause:
- Weigh gain
- loss of lean muscle
- increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol
- sleep apnea
- low libido, low sex drive
- excessive sweating
- erectile dysfunction
- irritability
- hair loss
- depression, loss of meaning
Erectile Dysfunction Triggers Action
Most of the symptoms creep up on a man. With menopause, women hit an often severe disruption in hormone out put, so it can’t be ignored. But men experience the decline of testosterone in a gradual manner. It is usually the onset of erectile dysfunction that gets their attention. Now a man is ready to admit that something needs to be done.
Why Does Testosterone Decline?
There are many factors involved in the decline of the hormone. The factors and be both physical and psychological in nature. The most prominent “head” cause if stress. Guilt and general depression will also put the libido into low gear. Men and women are so taxed in their careers and family responsibilities, that stress lowers testosterone and triggers poor health. (Diabetes is now associated with low testosterone according to the latest research.)
Drug and alcohol use lower testosterone production. A lack of exercise will lower the hormone, too. In general, just plain old “aging” causes it to be lower.
Raising Testosterone and Libido Naturally
There are four things you can do today to raise your testosterone levels naturally:
- Daily Intensive Exercise
- Eat a healthier whole foods diet and eat every two to three hours
- Reduce stress
- Take natural supplements (like Testyx TPL with fenugreek extract, Testofen, LJ100 Tongkat Ali, and Octacosanol)