Are you experiencing sudden mood swings, depression, or stress? Low testosterone can be a reason for these symptoms. Testosterone plays a significant role in mental health. Its low levels cause these symptoms and if left untreated, it can make those symptoms severe and lead to complications. Learn how low testosterone affects mental health and when you should visit a doctor for low testosterone in this article. Visit the best Mental Health Clinic in Brooklyn at Doral Health & Wellness or log on to www.doralhw.org.
Low testosterone and its effects on mental health
Testosterone is the main male sexual hormone that helps in various other functions in the body, especially in regulating mood. It is also present in females but in fewer amounts.
Usually after 30, men start to lose their testosterone levels gradually. This decline in testosterone levels along with aging, starts affecting your mental health which causes different mental problems, including:
- Stress:
Stress is not only caused by stressors at work but also due to low testosterone. According to research, on average 191,000 men a year report stress, depression, and anxiety caused by work. An increase of 1.2% is noticed in men who work over 12 months. Men whose ages are between 45 to 54 experience feelings of stress and low mood at their peak, which indicates a link with andropause (a condition that causes low testosterone after the age of 40).
This happens because managing stress produces cortisol hormone in the body. When cortisol levels rise it impacts other hormones in the body including serotonin, dopamine, and testosterone. That’s why excessive stress can lead to hormone imbalance and along with low testosterone, it can worsen your mental health and even impact your physical health if left untreated.
- Depression:
Depression is a common mental health condition that can affect people of all ages, genders, and races. However, in males, it is commonly caused by low testosterone levels. This happens because your brain cells have testosterone receptors that stimulate the testosterone hormone. If you have low testosterone, it leads to depression.
- Irritability:
As testosterone helps to balance/manage emotional regulation, low testosterone levels can easily lead to anger, irritability, and depression. Irritability also can occur due to depression along with low testosterone as both affect your mental health significantly. That’s why testosterone replacement therapy can decrease negative moods, anger, nervousness, and irritability.
- Anxiety:
Along with depression, experts found a direct link between low testosterone and anxiety. Anxiety occurs when you feel excessively stressed or fearful about something that causes symptoms like sweating, rapid heart rate, etc. Researchers found the same brain cells that need testosterone to prevent depression also need testosterone to prevent anxiety. Studies found that if you have low testosterone, it can lead to anxiety or worsen it if you’re already feeling anxious. Research also demonstrates that if testosterone supplementation is given to a low-testosterone person, it produces an anti-anxiety effect.
- Mood swings:
Mood swings are dramatic shifts in attitude and how you’re feeling. For example, one moment you may be experiencing an emotional high of joy and happiness, and the next, you may feel extremely sad or depressed. Mood swings can be dangerous and lead to suicidal tendencies if you’re not careful.
While several things can cause mood swings in men, low testosterone is one of them. Low testosterone can cause mood swings in men due to hormonal imbalances because testosterone works as a mood stabilizer, which means if you have low testosterone, you may have wild mood swings.
When to see a doctor?
You should visit a doctor if you’re experiencing testosterone deficiency. Low testosterone can lead to physical and psychological symptoms that indicate low testosterone. Physical signs include:
- Fatigue
- Sleep apnea
- Low libido
- Indecisiveness
- Increased body fat especially, around the waist.
- Decline in sexual ability.
- Loss of muscle mass, strength, and tone.
- Gynecomastia
- Lower stamina and endurance.
Psychological symptoms include:
- Stress
- Sudden mood changes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
If low testosterone levels are left untreated, it can lead to chronic psychological symptoms and mood disorders.
Testosterone plays a very essential role in men’s mental and physical health. If your testosterone levels are low, you should take serious action to prevent complications. Doctors test your hormonal levels and suggest the right treatment to improve your low testosterone levels to improve your well-being and overall health.
If you need professional help with your issues, visit our behavioral health clinic in Brooklyn, where friendly doctors listen to your concerns and treat you like a friend. All your concerns will be addressed here. For further inquiries, call us on +1-347-384-5690 to get a consultation. We have some of the finest psychiatrist doctors who listen to your concerns, examine your symptoms, and create a treatment plan to improve your condition as soon as possible. If you need help learning coping methods, register your information and make direct contact with our doctors and psychiatrists to learn those methods, log on to www.doralw.org. Visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.
