What Testosterone Does in Our Body
In the past few years, I came across various posts about low testosterone in men on platforms like Reddit, Instagram, and Threads. Some discussed the signs of low testosterone, others talked about the causes, and a few focused on ways to increase it. People tend to highlight and overstate such topics because they know subjects like these are of great importance to many. Obviously, their strategy worked and I became concerned about certain issues and decided to research this topic thoroughly. What I discovered was quite surprising and knowledgeable.
One thing that we all know is testosterone is a male sex hormone responsible for male puberty and further functionality in his adult life. However, it is not exclusive to men it is also present in women, but in much smaller amounts. Testosterone is mainly produced in the testes and the adrenal glands which are small glands located on top of the kidneys. Since females do not have testes, they produce much less testosterone, primarily from the adrenal glands. This difference in hormonal levels is what biologically distinguishes males from females. If this hormonal balance is disturbed, the results are definitely not favorable, a point I will elaborate on later.
How Stress Messes with Testosterone
I discovered that many of our daily habits are unknowingly damaging our testosterone levels. One of the major factors is stress. Stress triggers the release of a hormone called cortisol, whose effects are the complete opposite of testosterone. While testosterone promotes muscle building and growth, cortisol breaks down muscle tissue. The two hormones act like opposite sides of a seesaw. When cortisol levels are high, testosterone levels tend to drop. Both physical and mental stress contribute to elevated cortisol. I had often heard that stress disrupts your body’s internal systems, but it became even more evident once I delved into physiology and understood how prolonged cortisol elevation affects the body.
Why Sleep Is So Important
Another common mistake we make is neglecting proper sleep. Testosterone levels gradually rise during sleep and peak in the early morning. This is why morning erections occur and it indicates healthy testosterone levels and then cortisol levels begin to increase to wake you up and make you feel alert. Both hormones follow a circadian rhythm, and disrupting this rhythm creates a butterfly effect, a small change in sleep can lead to a large impact on overall health including bad mental and physical health.
The Hidden Danger in Receipts
One seemingly harmless but potentially harmful habit is touching thermal paper receipts, the kind you get at grocery stores or ATMs. These receipts contain bisphenol A (BPA), which can be absorbed through the skin. BPA is an endocrine disrupting compound that mimics estrogen, interfering with hormonal balance and potentially contributing to low testosterone. I believe it’s high time that we reduce our exposure to this harmful compound and switch to digital receipts.
Motorcycle Heat and Testosterone
Another common issue that is prevalent here, at least in my part of the world is that people who ride motorcycles are constantly exposed to heat from the seat, especially during summer. This heat exposure is harmful to testosterone production. Since this hormone is synthesized in the testes, and the testes function optimally at a temperature 2°C cooler than the rest of the body, consistent heat exposure undermines their purpose. That’s why the testicles hang outside the body to stay cooler. While sperm production is more sensitive to heat, testosterone synthesis can also be affected by prolonged exposure.
How Low Testosterone Affects Your Mood
There are various studies showing that low testosterone is linked to fatigue, lack of motivation, low mood, and even depression. Testosterone has a direct influence on neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood, drive, and pleasure. Many people with low testosterone report feeling anxious, under confident, or emotionally low.
Exercise: A Double-Edged Sword
A clear fact is that physical activity has reduced significantly in today’s world, and this affects our overall health. During exercise, the body temporarily increases testosterone levels for muscle repair and growth. Over time continuous stimulation by regular activity helps maintain healthy testosterone levels. It reduces body fat too, which is important because excess fat can convert testosterone into estrogen, posing a risk to men’s hormonal health. However, there is a catch excessive exercise without adequate rest can also lower testosterone levels.
The Risks of Using Steroids
One common mistake among gym-goers is using anabolic steroids. These are synthetic substances that mimic testosterone and are taken to boost muscle growth and enhance masculine traits. Although they may improve appearance, they are extremely harmful to health. When steroids are introduced from outside, the body senses excess testosterone and shuts down its own hormone production. This leads to low natural testosterone, reduced sperm production, and even infertility. Since testosterone is produced in the testes, the lack of use causes them to shrink in size. Besides these effects, steroids also impact heart health and mental well-being, which is beyond the scope of this blog.
Ending Note
While there are many more points that could be listed, I have chosen to focus on these common harmful practices I’ve observed around me. Correcting them can definitely boost overall health. When your endocrine system functions well, you feel more energetic and vibrant in everyday life, so taking caring of this is essential for a healthy lifestyle.
