Hormone deficiency in men
Hormone deficiency in men
Hormone deficiency in men is a condition whereby a man doesn’t produce enough hormones for male growth and development through puberty. In this condition, the male’s body is seen to have fewer male sex hormones than the body needs.
It results in underdeveloped male secondary sexual characteristics and a lot of other risks. It’s a serious condition that calls for immediate treatment, especially when the levels of the hormones are dangerously low.
Causes of hormone deficiency in men
Hormone deficiency in men can be caused by several factors. Some of the causes of hormone deficiency in men include:
Medical conditions
Any medical disorder that affects the testes, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus has a high risk of resulting in male hormonal imbalance. Tumours or disorders of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus affect the production of male hormones. Genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome also affect the production of male hormones.
Stress
Another cause of hormone deficiency in males is chronic stress. Stress can disrupt the normal functioning of the human system, which is why it should be avoided and managed well. Prolonged exposure to chronic stress has been shown to affect the secretion of the essential male hormone leading to deficiency.
Being overweight
Being obese or overweight may affect the normal physiology of the body affecting the production of hormones in the body. Being underweight and anorexic may also lead to hormonal imbalance in males.
Poor lifestyle choices
Quite a good number of deficiencies in hormones in men is also a result of poor lifestyle habits such as unhealthy diets and lack of exercise. Poor food choices and nutrition reflect the nutrients available in the body. Without the appropriate nutrients, the body finds it difficult to produce the essential hormone.
Risks of hormone deficiency in men
The risks associated with hormone deficiency in men include:
Erectile dysfunction
One of the major risks of hormone deficiency in men is erectile dysfunction. It makes it difficult to achieve and sustain an erection for sexual intercourse.
Mood disorders
Being deficient in male sex hormones can also increase your risk of experiencing mood disorders. Some hormones, such as testosterone, play a major role in moods, and their deficiency can result in sudden mood changes, including anxiety, irritability, and depression.
Infertility
Infertility risk is a major effect associated with male hormone deficiency. Lack of necessary male hormones can result in low or zero production of sperm which causes infertility issues.
Absence of secondary sexual characteristics
The male sexual hormone plays a key role in secondary sexual characteristics in men. Hormonal imbalance in men results in the absence of some or all secondary sexual characteristics.
