Testosterone is one of the many words autocorrect has to fix for me. But, it is also the building block of what makes us gay men, both men and probably gay. First, we want to stress a few important points about this hormone. GMJ will never believe or state that anything about being male or having testosterone is negative. No science says its mere existence causes rage, anger issues, emotional distance, or violence. Also, it is no more toxic to society than any other hormone, including estrogen. Being a man, being a gay man, is what you make of it. Testosterone doesn’t genetically turn you into an asshole.

When most guys think of testosterone, they picture a guy like the one in the picture; beautiful smile, great skin complexion, and muscles on top of muscles. But this hormone does much more than get you ripped. Here is what every guy needs to know about this hormone.

Testosterone:

  •  is the primary male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid. In men, testosterone plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as the testis and prostate, as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass and body hair growth. In addition, testosterone is involved in health and well-being and the prevention of osteoporosis. Insufficient testosterone levels in men may lead to abnormalities, including frailty and bone loss.
  • is linked to many of the changes seen in boys during puberty (including an increase in height, body and pubic hair growth, enlargement of the penis, testes and prostate gland, and changes in sexual behavior)
  • is essential for the production of sperm in adult life. This hormone also signals the body to make new blood cells, ensures that muscles and bones stay strong during and after puberty, and enhances libido
  • is also essential in creating pheromones and natural male body scent (odor)

In essence, testosterone is what makes you, you. But unfortunately, your hormone levels will not continue to grow or even stay consistent as you get older. And worst of all, many studies indicate that modern Western males have less testosterone than males even twenty (20) years ago. What is causing this rapid decline is not yet known, but here is a list of the usual suspects that are known to decrease your T levels.

  1. age
  2. smoking
  3. diabetes
  4. obesity/weight gain (specifically around the gut) levels are also taking a nose-dive by 50% among obese adult men between the ages of 18 and 35 due to type 2 diabetes prescription medications
  5. even swimming (in chlorinated water), long-distance biking, and running make the list
  6. Another study by Travison and colleagues indicated that health and lifestyle changes, such as unemployment and the loss of a spouse, can have as much impact on testosterone levels as normal aging during a short to mid-length period of about ten years.

Then we have some unexpected reducers of testosterone. But, as expected, they are high in estrogen, which is the problem.

  1. Flaxseed products
  2. Licorice
  3. Alcohol
  4. Soy products (This includes the soy in your protein shakes, but some disagree)
  5. Vegetable oils
  6. Mint, peppermint, spearmint
  7. Trans fats
  8. some others claim everything from soda to fast food and even dairy.
  9. A new study found that reduced levels of circulating testosterone were associated with increased phthalate exposure in several key populations, including a 24-34 percent decline in testosterone levels in boys aged 6 to 12
    • It is believed that phthalates may have adverse hormonal effects because they reduce testosterone synthesis by interfering with an enzyme needed to produce the male hormone
    • Declines in testosterone levels among men have been noted for decades, along with a rise in related health problems such as reduced semen quality and genital deformities in newborn boys
    • During fetal development, low testosterone can lead to incomplete formation of the sex organs, and during puberty, it may permanently affect growth and development; in adults, low testosterone may lead to decreased sex drive, depression, weight gain, and more
    • You can minimize your phthalates exposure by choosing natural personal care products and avoiding the use of PVC plastics; adults can also optimize their testosterone levels naturally by following a healthy lifestyle
    • Phthalates are almost everywhere, but here are some ways you can avoid many of them.

The bottom line is that scientists don’t know what is causing the decrease in testosterone in the general population and much more study and research needs to be conducted. But, as an individual, here are some signs you need to look out for regarding “Low T.”

The basics:

The normal range in males is about 270 to 1070 ng/dL, with an average level of 679 ng/dL. A typical male’s testosterone level peaks at about age 20 and slowly declines. Testosterone levels above or below the normal range are considered by many to be out of balance. Moreover, some researchers suggest that the healthiest men have testosterone levels between 400 – 600 ng/dL.

Signs of low testosterone

If testosterone deficiency occurs during puberty, a boy’s growth may slow, and no growth spurt will be seen. The child may also fail to develop complete sexual characteristics (hypogonadism) associated with men undergoing puberty, including the development of pubic hair, growth of the penis and testes, and deepening of the voice. Around puberty, boys with too little testosterone may also have less than normal strength and endurance, and their arms and legs may continue to grow out of proportion with the rest of their bodies.

In adult men, low testosterone may reduce muscle bulk, loss of body hair, and a wrinkled ‘parchment-like’ appearance of the skin. Testosterone levels in men decline naturally as they age. In the media, this is sometimes referred to as male menopause (andropause).

Low testosterone levels can cause mood disturbances, increased body fat, loss of muscle tone, inadequate erections, poor sexual performance, osteoporosis, difficulty with concentration, memory loss, and sleep difficulties. Current research suggests that this effect occurs in only a small group of aging men but disproportionately in HIV-positive males. However, a lot of research is currently in progress to find out more about the effects of testosterone in older men and whether the use of testosterone replacement therapy would have any benefits.

Testosterone Replacements therapy: 

So, about now, you are scared shitless and wondering what you can do to keep from falling into the Low T trap. The bad news is that, for the most part, there is nothing you can do. We all will have our levels dip and decline with age. But, there are some things you can do to slow down the process, at least for a little while.

The first thing you can do is begin to take better care of yourself. This includes exercising, eating right, getting proper sleep, and reducing stress. Avoiding foods and products which reduce testosterone levels is also a good idea. But, you want to know about the quick fixes. One guy took the natural route for 90 days and claimed dramatic results. Take a look for yourself.

Hormone Replacement Therapy:

If you have stayed home from work or are up late at night, you have seen the commercials about Low T and the medications that can treat it. Testim and Androgel are the most common ones prescribed by doctors. But there has been some controversy about their usage as they do come with a long list of possible side effects, with some major ones including heart attack, stroke, prostate cancer, and even death that have resulted in several class action lawsuits. But a study in 2014 refuted these claims.

This is excellent news for HIV-positive guys because World Health Clinicians published in Postgraduate Medicine that 66 percent have low testosterone,” said Dr. Gary Blick, founder and chief medical officer of World Health Clinicians (WHC, www.worldhealthclinicians.org). “

Athletes and shots in the ass

Some legitimate doctors prescribe injectable forms of testosterone for their patients with Low T. But, we all know of, heard about, or seen obvious examples of guys juiced up at the gym, club, or any place gay men can and will show off their bodies. (i.e., Earth).  Outside of being illegal and banned from most sports (non/semi and pro), anabolic steroids are synthetic copies of your naturally produced testosterone. They are also known to shrink your balls and cause other long-term problems besides the tremendous pain that comes with each shot. Dr. Richard Quinton, an endocrinologist,  says, “The man who’s most likely to have low testosterone is the one who’s taken it,.” “When you inject, your brain senses a high level, and your own production is switched off.” Parry confirms it: “In our clinic, we see ex-bodybuilders who have taken so much testosterone that they’ve switched off their natural production. Ten years later, they’re testosterone deficient.”

ROID RAGE!!!

This is the genuine fear of many. Like a flesh-colored version of the Incredible Hulk, they will bust out of their clothes and begin a giant rampage that destroys the village. You first need to know that natural testosterone is not the same as anabolic steroids used by strength trainers, athletes, and those that want to get huge. Also, we could not find one study that linked the usage or even abuse of this substance with increased aggression, violence, or any other negative trait. We found many body-building sites that happily debunked the myth, all citing a New England Journal of Medicine research and report.

Here are the best things that we can recommend:

  • Have regular check-ups with your doctor, and make sure to get your testosterone levels checked and monitored
  • If your levels are low, talk to your doctor about natural alternatives and lifestyle changes first
  • If this does not work, then ask about gels and creams for replacement
  • Accept that you will have a decrease in everything from muscle mass to mental ability as you age, but keeping proper health with slow the hands of time.

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