There’s no date on the calendar that will mark the start of your experiences with low T. Testosterone levels decline on their own unpredictable schedule. Some men start experiencing the signs of the condition as early as their mid-30s, while others don’t feel the slightest symptoms for another 20 years after that.
Knowing when your father started experiencing testosterone decline and assessing other aspects of your personal and family history can give you a vague idea of when you might start expecting your age to catch up with you, but even this isn’t definite. The best thing that you can do to prepare yourself for low T is to have a clear understanding of the warning signs and be quick to detect them as they start to settle in.
Where Did All the Testosterone Go?
Testosterone is what makes a man a man. Testosterone levels spike during puberty, prompting the onset of bodily changes and sexual development that occur during this time. Testosterone levels continue to rise for another decade or two after puberty before leveling off and eventually declining. The changes that come from the decline of testosterone can be just as troubling and invasive as the ones that came when it first spiked, luckily minus the complications of middle school.
The first thing every man should know is that testosterone decline is completely natural. It happens to everyone. That being said, not all men experience the symptoms in the same way—or at the same point in life.
Keep an eye out for these common signs and symptoms that might indicate low T:
- Reduced sex drive. Lower testosterone levels lead to decreased sexual interest. While the decrease could be gradual, a drop off in sexual interest is generally evident.
- Erectile dysfunction. For those who are still interested in sexual intercourse, low T can make the process difficult. Trouble becoming and staying aroused are common signs of low T.
- Fatigue. Low T can cause your energy levels to drop dramatically. This often leads men to lose interest in former hobbies or social events they formerly enjoyed.
- Mood changes. Low testosterone levels can make stress harder to manage, increase your risk for depression and cause bursts of moodiness that might be otherwise uncharacteristic.
For most men, it’s not a question of if testosterone levels are going to decline, but a question of when. Detecting the signs early on and seeking out anti-aging treatments like testosterone therapy can help you restore your former vitality and reduce the discomfort that comes with low T.
