When most people think of low testosterone, they tend to think of rapid hair loss or a sudden decrease in muscle mass. However, this hormone deficiency doesn’t just cause physical changes. Many men with low T also experience shifts in their mood and mental well-being. Because these symptoms aren’t as visible as differences in physical appearance, you might not notice them initially in yourself or someone else. However, the emotional effects of low T are just as important as the physical ones.
A hormone deficiency can adversely affect your mood and emotions in a number of ways. You might notice increased sluggishness, or you may lose interest in activities you used to enjoy. This may indicate an underlying mental health condition that needs to be addressed. Seek out a mental health professional if you believe you’re struggling in any way.
In other cases, your sullen mood or disinterest could be a result of low T. Recognizing the link between low testosterone and mental health will help you properly address any emotional changes brought on by this hormone deficiency. Here’s everything you need to know before stopping by your local Boston, MA, testosterone clinic.
How Low Testosterone Impacts Mental Well-Being
Even though it’s known as the male sex hormone, testosterone isn’t only responsible for regulating sex drive. Other key functions of testosterone include managing the distribution of body fat, supporting muscle mass development, enhancing bone density and regulating emotions.
Mood regulation is often overlooked as a crucial function of testosterone. Like every other hormone in your body, testosterone is regulated by the hypothalamus in your brain. This structure plays a vital part in managing your moods and balancing your emotions.
When your hormone levels are lower than normal, your hypothalamus struggles to keep your dopamine and serotonin at healthy levels. As a result, you may struggle with feelings of sadness, irritability, anxiety or other negative emotions. Low testosterone may also increase your risk of developing a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety, which can impact various areas of your overall health.
What Depression Looks Like in Men
Depression affects men and women in different ways. Because men are less likely to seek help for this condition, many leave their depression untreated. Moreover, men might not identify their symptoms as falling under the umbrella of depression. Everyone has periods where they feel down or out of sorts, but this isn’t necessarily indicative of a mental disorder. Knowing the difference between a temporary mood dip and depression can help you determine whether you need professional help.
Fortunately, there are several key signs that can help clear up any uncertainties you may have. Here are some of the most common symptoms of depression.
Loss of Interest
One of the most defining symptoms of depression is a lost of interest in the activities you used to enjoy. Your favorite hobbies or pastimes may have no effect on you anymore. You might be forcing yourself to participate in activities which used to excite you, such as hanging out with your friends or playing your favorite sport.
Unpredictable Emotions
Generally speaking, men are more likely to experience irritability and anger than women. However, both sexes are prone to mood swings, which is one of the defining characteristics of depression. If you feel your mood fluctuates from one moment to the next unpredictably, you may be struggling with depression.
Feelings of Worthlessness
Depression can also impact the way you think and feel about yourself. Feeling worthless and self-loathing are common characteristics of this mental health condition. Your mind may lie to you and say the way you feel is all your fault or you don’t deserve happiness in life. Despite their falsity, these thoughts are often a recurring theme of depression.
Sleep Troubles
If you’ve been sleeping more than usual or have trouble falling asleep at night, this may be another sign. Extreme fatigue and a lack of energy are hallmarks of this mental health condition. In some situations, fatigue may cause someone to sleep excessively. In other cases, though, depression leads to insomnia, which is defined as persistent difficulty with falling or staying asleep.
Anxiety
Anxiety and depression are usually seen as two separate mental disorders. In reality, though, these two conditions frequently co-exist. Someone with depression can also be diagnosed with anxiety and vice versa. The most common symptoms of anxiety include:
- Feelings of panic, dread or impending danger
- Restlessness or tension
- Heavy sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Muscle twitching or trembling
- Rapid breathing
Weight Changes
Unintentional changes in weight or appetite are a common symptom of depression. Like sleep patterns, fluctuations in weight differ significantly from one person to the next. For some, depression causes a sharp increase in appetite, which results in overeating, while others may not feel hungry at all and lose weight as a result.
Negative Outlook on Life
People who live with depression tend to have a pessimistic outlook on life in general. They may feel hopeless about their future and focus solely on the negative aspects of their lives. Not only can this mindset be a common sign of a hormone imbalance, it can also feed the feelings of despair and hopelessness that are commonly associated with depression.
Tips for Coping With Mood Changes Caused by Low Testosterone
If you’ve noticed any significant changes in your mood or emotions lately, there are several coping strategies you can adopt to improve your outlook on life. Try out different methods to find the one that works best for you. The goal is to boost your mood and help you feel better on a daily basis.
Monitor Your Stress Levels
Stress and testosterone are closely linked. If you frequently deal with high stress levels, you may be depleting your testosterone. Persistent stress can also reduce your overall quality of life. Make sure you keep your stress in check to maintain healthy testosterone levels and enjoy better well-being in general.
Adjust Your Diet
The food you eat plays a vital role in your mental health. Foods that may help raise testosterone and improve mood include egg yolks, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower or leafy plants, tuna, oysters, pomegranate and low-fat or skim milk. Be sure to weed out any food items riddled with preservatives, saturated fats and artificial colors or flavors. These unhealthy choices can harm both your physical and mental health over time.
Don’t Skimp on Sleep
If you routinely deprive yourself of the sleep you need, your mental health will pay the price. In addition to building immunity, adequate sleep helps enhance mood, sharpens focus and reduces the risk of mental disorders like anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Make sleep a priority if you aren’t getting the recommended seven to eight hours every night.
Spend Time Outdoors
Nature’s healing powers can do wonders for your mental well-being. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors plays a key role in promoting happiness, enhancing mental clarity, minimizing stress, improving concentration and sparking creativity. In addition, getting enough sunlight helps raise vitamin D levels, which is a key nutrient for overall health. Whether you head outside during your lunch break or go for a jog in the morning, this simple lifestyle adjustment can lead to amazing benefits.
Get Active
An inactive lifestyle is a major contributing factor to low testosterone. This can adversely affect your mood and sometimes lead to depression. If your exercise game is a little rusty, don’t push yourself. Start out slow and gauge your unique pace to determine what works best for you. Even something as simple as going for a fifteen-minute walk every day can make a difference in the long run.
Talk to Someone You Trust
Having a strong support system makes a meaningful difference in your mental health. Find a trustworthy individual in your life—whether it’s a close friend, family member or significant other—and seek their counsel or time. Simply venting your frustrations and getting advice from a loved one can help you feel more capable and confident.
Hormone Treatment: Taking the Next Step
The tips outlined above can provide temporary relief from hormone-related mood changes. However, they don’t get to the root of a more severe issue, such as anxiety or depression. Fortunately, there is a more effective long-term solution available for treating low testosterone.
Hormone replacement therapy in Boston, MA, has a host of positive effects on men’s hormone health. Some of the most notable benefits include:
- Enhanced muscle mass
- Better sleep quality
- Improved sex drive
- Prevention of hair loss
- Increased energy levels
- A stabler mood
- Increased bone mass
By undergoing hormone treatment at a trusted clinic, you can also combat the symptoms of low T. Some of these include low sex drive, reduced muscle mass, erectile dysfunction, irregular sleeping patterns, memory problems, decreased bone mass, hair loss and lower energy levels.
Before you begin replacement therapy, be sure to discuss your symptoms with your doctor. A medical professional will guide you toward the best course of action according to your needs. Once you’ve made an informed decision, you can begin hormone therapy with more confidence and peace of mind.
Keep in mind that hormone treatment itself isn’t a solution for more severe psychological conditions. If you’re concerned about your mental health, make an appointment with a trained specialist to receive the appropriate treatment for your needs. A mental health professional can help you better understand your condition, teach you helpful coping mechanisms and even prescribe you medication if needed.
Find Relief From Mood Changes Caused by Low Testosterone
As the aging process accelerates, your testosterone levels will begin a steady decline. This is your body’s normal and natural response to getting older. However, this doesn’t mean you should simply accept the changes occurring throughout your body, especially if you’ve developed symptoms of a mental disorder such as depression. You can still become the best version of yourself, even if your hormone levels are lower than ideal.
At Boston Vitality, we’re proud to offer top-quality men’s hormone replacement therapy and treatment to residents of Boston, MA. Our skilled and experienced experts are well-versed in the various effects that the aging process can have on men’s health, such as those involving libido, energy levels, sleep quality and mental well-being. One of our lead practitioners is a world-class board-certified urologist who has treated thousands of male patients for low T and other hormonal issues.
We’re dedicated to optimizing your hormones to keep these unpleasant side effects at bay. No matter where you are in the aging process or what goals you have, our specialists are ready to work with you to ensure you’re exactly where you want to be.
To learn more about what we do and how we can help enrich your hormone health, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.
