Benefits of Testosterone

Testosterone plays a critical role in both the female and male body, and there are numerous benefits to having and maintaining healthy levels. 

Getting your levels to a healthy range for your age means your age won't change, but you will feel a change! More energy, better sleep, longer walks, doing more in the gym, motivation to exercise.

When testosterone levels are healthy, optimal and balanced, your physical and mental state will begin to reflect that.

Benefits of testosterone

• Drives the changes boys experience through puberty.
• Sex drive (libido)

  Higher T levels generally mean higher levels of sexual activity. As men get older, testosterone supports libido and erectile function. 

• Sperm production
• Muscle mass, size and strength
• Studies have shown treatment can increase muscle size and strength.
• Body shape and fat distribution
• Treatment can decrease fat mass
• Facial and body hair
• Heart and blood health
  

  Recent study of 83,000 men found men with normal T levels were 24% less likely to suffer a heart attack and 26% less likely to experience a stroke.

• Bone density, growth and strength
• Treatment increases bone density and reduce the risk of weak bones, breakages and osteoporosis. Strong bones support body as well as internal organs.
• Well-being and better mood
• Research does vary, but generally testosterone levels correlate with quality of life.
• Reduced risk of depression
• Sexual features
• Improved memory, spatial abilities and mathematical reasoning
• Research shows reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, and correlation between testosterone and verbal memory, processing speed and in certain age groups spatial memory.
• Energy
• Motivation

 And the list of benefits goes on...

Testosterone is also essential for the development of growth in males and their masculine characteristics.

Other areas impacted include:

• Reproductive system, sex drive, and sperm production
• Puberty (penis, testes, hair, height, muscle, bones, voice, etc.)
• Central nervous system, affecting behaviours and cognitive function
• Skin and hair, especially through puberty
• Circulatory system - spurs bone marrow to make red blood cells

Listen to Old Bull podcasts Episode 27 - Testosterone Benefits which is a part of our 4-part miniseries on testosterone.

Factors to consider

Typically, a male will lose around 1-2% testosterone per year after the age of 30, but up to 2-3% of free testosterone can be lost. This is the stuff that is biologically active, and which drives many of the benefits above.

Just because it declines as you age, does not mean it is low!

While your age will drive a decline in testosterone, age is not solely responsible for any decline you may experience.

Age only accounts for around 41% of the decline in general, with lifestyle factors making up the remainder, so keep in mind there is a lot you can do to ensure your T levels are healthy, balanced and optimal.

Hypogonadism hampers the ability to produce normal amounts of testosterone and thus it is important to understand if age or another issue is contributing to reduced testosterone.

Blood tests are an efficient way to check testosterone levels. There are also various saliva-based tests available.

Do you know what is considered a normal level of testosterone in men, as they age? This is a good place to start.

There are many benefits to optimising your testosterone levels, but keep in mind there is an unavoidable age-related decline that will occur over time. Your mission should be to minimise this.

Read more about testosterone and the male body here.

Disclaimer: The information provided by Old Bull Health in this article is for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Our content is not intended to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and thus reliance should not be placed on it. If you are experiencing testosterone related symptoms, please consult a healthcare professional.