Low Testosterone

Low testosterone, also called hypogonadism, occurs when the body does not make enough testosterone to support normal male health. This hormone helps maintain sex drive, muscle mass, bone strength, energy, and sperm production. When levels drop, a person may notice tiredness, reduced interest in sex, weaker erections, loss of muscle, increased body fat, irritability, poor sleep, or difficulty concentrating.

Several factors can lead to low testosterone, including natural aging, obesity, chronic disease, stress, injury to the testicles, problems with the pituitary gland, and some treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. Because the symptoms can overlap with other conditions like depression, thyroid disorders, anemia, or sleep apnea, proper testing is important. Doctors usually confirm the diagnosis with morning blood tests and may repeat testing to verify the result.

Healthy sleep, weight loss, exercise, and managing medical conditions can help some people. In selected cases, testosterone replacement therapy may improve symptoms, but it should be used only under medical guidance because it has possible risks and is not an infertility treatment.