Men over 40? It’s time to check your testosterone!

Testosterone is a type of androgen secreted by the male testicles. Don't underestimate it, it is one of the important substances that determine men's characteristics. Moreover, the physiological effects of testosterone are very extensive in medicine, and have a certain impact on various organs and major systems of the human body. Recently, some experts pointed out that men over the age of 40 need to check their androgen levels.

Androgen levels decline with age

Studies have found that the testosterone level in men decreases with age, which is one of the main factors for men to experience symptoms similar to those of women during menopause. In 2002, the International Society for the Study of Aging renamed "male menopause" as "delayed hypogonadism (LOH)".

Androgens have a victorious effect on the whole body system

Experts point out that testosterone has direct or indirect physiological effects on all systems in the body. Testosterone deficiency will lead to a series of pathophysiological changes in organs such as bones, muscles, emotions and cognitive functions, sexual function, blood and cardiovascular system, which will not only affect the quality of life, but also induce a series of diseases.

Androgen deficiency affects bones

For example, bones are one of the target organs of testosterone. Men with testosterone deficiency have lower bone density than others; among male patients with osteoporosis-induced fractures, 7% to 30% have testosterone deficiency.

Lack of testosterone can cause depression in middle-aged men

An analysis of 748 men over 50 years old found that those with low testosterone levels had a 2.1 times higher risk of depression. Mild anemia is more common in middle-aged and elderly men, one of the reasons being low serum testosterone levels. In addition, a study of coronary angiography for angina pectoris found that plasma testosterone levels in patients with coronary artery disease were significantly reduced; epidemiological surveys have shown that increasing plasma testosterone levels can enhance the anti-atherosclerotic effect.

You should check your testosterone level after you are 40.

In addition to the above adverse effects, testosterone deficiency is also closely related to diabetes, cognitive dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, etc. Experts remind that men over 40 should pay attention to testosterone level examination. Androgen deficiency can cause men to have a series of symptoms similar to women's menopause.