Male reproductive hormone disorders

You’re probably aware of testosterone’s essential role in male reproductive health and fertility. But did you know that testosterone also plays a crucial part in regulating a man’s physical features, energy, weight, mood and bone health? Normal testosterone levels fluctuate through the day, but when they are consistently too low, it can cause erectile dysfunction, infertility and a wide range of physical changes. Low testosterone levels can have a devastating impact on your overall mental health and wellbeing – London Medical is here to help.

The testes are male reproductive glands that produce androgens – male sex hormones. The most important of these hormones is testosterone. The pituitary gland in the brain (often called the ‘master gland’) controls testosterone production by the testes. 

Testosterone has many essential functions. It stimulates puberty in boys and is responsible for male characteristics such as facial, body and pubic hair and testes development. It also plays a critical role in sperm production, sex drive (libido), bone health and muscle mass.  

Men rarely experience a problem with producing too much testosterone. However, it is common for testosterone levels to become too low. Many factors can cause your testosterone levels to decrease, including genetic diseases, pituitary disorder, diabetes, obesity, stress and chronic illness. In fact, it’s estimated that 40-50% of men with type 2 diabetes or obesity have low testosterone levels.

What are the signs and symptoms of an imbalance of testosterone in the male body?

• Inability to get or keep an erection
• Low sperm count
• Low sex drive
• Fatigue
• Osteoporosis
• Reduced muscle mass
• Smaller testes
• Loss of body hair
• Irritability/low mood
• Trouble sleeping
• Delayed puberty in adolescents 
• Increased growth and height in adolescence
• Psychological distress

As you age, your testosterone levels naturally decrease. This varies by individual. But if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above and you’re looking to restore your testosterone to healthy levels and improve your overall quality of life, we can help.

Our top-rated experts are highly experienced in diagnosing and treating male hormone disorders.

• Hypogonadism – This is a common condition in which the testes produce low levels of testosterone. It can be present from birth or develop in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. There are several reasons why you might develop low levels of testosterone, including problems with your pituitary gland, cancer treatments, some medications and obesity, just to name a few.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED) – ED is the inability to get or maintain an erection. Many factors can put you at high risk for erectile dysfunction, including hypogonadism, other hormone disorders, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety disorders and some medications.  
• Delayed puberty – There is a wide range of normal in puberty, with puberty typically starting between 9 and 14 for boys. Boys have delayed puberty if they have not experienced any pubic hair or testicular growth by the age of 14. This results from a lack of male sex hormone, testosterone. 
• Infertility – Although rare, male infertility can be caused by a hormonal imbalance. Low testosterone levels affect your ability to make healthy sperm, but other hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin and thyroid hormones all play key roles in male reproductive function. An imbalance of any of these can affect your fertility.