Low Testosterone and Depression in Men
HRT can help with mood swings and feelings of depression
Testosterone levels and depression
Low testosterone and depression can be intertwined. Many middle-aged men start developing loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other symptoms of falling testosterone, leading to depression. Unlike female menopause, where hormone levels fall suddenly, andropause is a slow decline of testosterone that speeds up with age, leaving many men with symptoms that affect their physical and mental wellbeing.
These symptoms often negatively affect day-to-day life, including overall happiness and relationships with others. Typically, when feeling symptoms of depression, men go to see a doctor, only to be told it is normal for aging men.
The ‘symptoms’ of getting older and reduced testosterone levels can cause depression. But it does not have to be “normal.” You can do something about it by investigating whether it could be your hormones to blame.
Low testosterone effects on mood
Depression and anxiety symptoms in men can increase with age; it is also no coincidence that this follows the pattern of declining testosterone levels as you get older.
Your hormones are chemical messengers that control many of your bodily functions and, importantly, your mental wellbeing. In your twenties, when hormones are well balanced, your mood is balanced as well. You are full of energy, your metabolism is working efficiently, and your motivation to better yourself is high. However, as you age, your testosterone levels start to decline, along with the positive effects they have. Your muscles start to weaken, you feel tired all the time, and symptoms of depression and low libido start to present themselves.
Depression and anxiety symptoms in men
- Mood swings and feelings of anger
- Low libido and erection problems
- Fatigue
- Lack of motivation
- Trouble concentrating
- Anxiety
- Feelings of sadness
- Brain fog and reduced mental capacity
- Sleep disturbances
Wondering if you may be suffering from low testosterone? Take our free hormone assessment to see if you could benefit from Hormone Replacement Therapy!
HRT can help relieve symptoms of depression in men
In many cases, hormone imbalance is responsible for feelings of depression and a lack of energy. Doctors do not routinely check hormone levels. Many doctors do, however, routinely prescribe antidepressants; this is merely treating the symptoms and not the root cause.
Often physical and mental indicators of reduced testosterone levels are interlinked. For example, suppose your main issue is being overweight. You may experience a loss of self-confidence, which causes stress, leading to sleep problems and a declining sex drive. In a chain reaction of events, your problems become worse, and depression can set in.
In the same manner, the benefits of bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy are all interlinked. Improved metabolism will help you burn visceral fat easier: improve cardio health, increase blood flow, and improve mental ability, energy levels, and libido. Ultimately, you will become less stressed due to all the other benefits, decreasing the likelihood of feelings of depression.
Which hormones can reduce depression?
- Testosterone: Decreased testosterone levels can affect physical and mental health, particularly low libido, depression, and body composition. BHRT replenishes your testosterone levels, giving you a boost in mood and energy to reduce depression.
- Estradiol (a form of estrogen): Estradiol is a by-product of testosterone. If you increase testosterone levels, you increase levels of this influential hormone. Many assume estradiol exclusively benefits women; this is far from the truth. Estradiol in men decreases the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, reduces the risk of prostate cancer, belly fat, and improves sexual function. Estradiol is also the essential hormone for protecting and maintaining brain function.
- Thyroid: The thyroid gland regulates your metabolism and energy production on a cellular level, so any lack of function can profoundly affect your body. It is responsible for controlling heart, muscle, digestive function, brain development, and bone maintenance. By balancing thyroid hormones, you will regulate your metabolism and reactivate your entire hormone system to perform efficiently.
- Cortisol: This hormone helps control your body’s blood sugar levels and metabolism, influencing water and salt balance, blood pressure, memory, and the ability to fight infection. Depression and stress cause cortisol levels to increase, reducing testosterone and estradiol levels, negatively impacting your wellbeing on every level. By optimizing hormone balance, your cortisol level will likely fall, enabling your other hormones to perform.
How hormone replacement helps treat depression in men
It is still surprising that doctors don’t prescribe BHRT to treat depression more commonly because it is so effective. Many men suffer in silence, trapped in a body they hate, while their hormone issues go unnoticed by mainstream medical care.
We feel it is crucial to look at the entire picture. Our treatment protocol addresses symptomatology, behavior, and lab test results to identify the root cause. Everybody is different, so we treat everybody differently.
The phenomenon of “andropause” is a reality, and BHRT can significantly improve physical symptoms such as strength and muscle mass, reduce visceral fat, and stop insulin resistance. Testosterone can also improve cognitive function, depression, confidence, libido, and sleep. Testosterone therapy can transform a man’s existence by injecting life into their older years and adding years to life!
The reality is: your hormones are most likely the major contributing factor to the symptoms you’re experiencing.
With BHRT, we can restore your hormones back to the levels of your youth. Our patients report physical appearance changes for the better, along with improved mood and increased feelings of wellbeing.
With Male Excel, life can be good again!
Other Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Frequently asked questions
HRT stands for hormone replacement therapy. Hormone levels are tested and medications are administered to help hormones such as testosterone and thyroid reach their optimum levels.
TRT stands for testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone is given to combat decreasing levels in men. This is to fight the usual signs and symptoms of aging such as fatigue, weight gain, loss of libido, and muscle loss.
We offer a daily injectable Testosterone Cypionate or a twice-daily Lipoderm cream. Both are bioidentical. We also prescribe Triclozene (Clomiphene Citrate) for men, which can help improve several aspects of male health, including low testosterone levels, hormone ratios and sperm production.
The benefits of HRT are extensive but include the following: healthy heart and blood, less fat, more muscle, stronger bones, improved libido, better sleep, improved memory, spatial ability and mental reasoning, improved mood, and better sex.
On average it takes approximately 7 business days from ordering your test kit to receiving your results. This is obviously dependent on how quickly you complete and return the test via free return postage. Once we have received your results, a dedicated medical provider will review this along with your online assessment to create your personalized treatment plan.
This is a very difficult question because there is no definitive answer. Everybody is biologically different and responds to the treatment differently. For detailed information, click here.
The test indicates whether you will benefit from this treatment and what your current hormone levels are. We can then know the proper medication to get your testosterone and thyroid to their optimum levels.
Our blood spot test measures 5 key hormone levels. It offers distinct advantages over traditional testing methods because it eliminates the need for a blood draw – saving patients time and money. Our blood spot test is a simple to use test that is done in the comfort of your own home. It involves a finger prick and 12 drops of blood dropped onto a card. We include free return postage with your test for your convenience.
Yes. HRT is safe when monitored by a licensed medical provider. This is why we require yearly testing and symptoms questionnaires every 2 months.
The treatment is effective for as long as you take it. Once you stop taking HRT your levels will return to the levels they were previously.
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