Testosterone is an important hormone in the development of male secondary sexual features. The hormone is also produced by the female body but in significantly lower amounts and without the crucial functions.
The levels at which these hormones are produced must be monitored because too much and too little can pose a lot of health risks, even ones that are nonsexual, even if you get the best over the counter testosterone supplements.
There are a lot of factors that affect the production of testosterone, from lifestyle activities to emotions.
What Affects Testosterone Levels?
Testosterone is the hormone that regulates a man’s sex drive, as well as body mass, muscle mass, fat distribution, and the reproduction of red blood cells and sperm. The level of testosterone produced by a man’s body can also affect his behavior, much like other animals, the hormone promotes aggressive and non-aggressive behavior, especially towards other males.
Production of the hormone can be affected by:
- Genes
- Weight
- Age
- Exercise
- Diet
These factors may be the cause of increased or decreased testosterone levels.
Bodily functions are also affected by emotional causes, even stress has its effects on the hormone.
Relationships and Testosterone
According to research, testosterone levels differ significantly between men who are in long-term relationships, those who are in new ones, and those who are single.
Studies have shown that men who are in new relationships and men that are single have almost the same testosterone levels, while men who are in long-term relationships have reduced levels of testosterone.
Contrary to what one may think, the cause of the decreased number is not the fact that the person is in a committed relationship but rather their interest in finding other sexual partners.
Men who are in new relationships or are not in relationships at all have high testosterone levels because their bodies are programmed to mate, the hormone is in charge of regulating the libido which motivates mating.
The low testosterone levels in men who are in relationships are influenced by their desire to be sexually exclusive with their partner, this reduced amount can then be related to their readiness to settle down. Low levels of testosterone can be assumed as the male body’s adaptation to parental care by moving the reproductive system’s attention away from seeking other mates.
The difference in these levels and the studies also suggest that men with lower testosterone levels are least likely to have an affair or be unfaithful to their partners, while the opposite can be assumed of men with high testosterone levels, regardless of whether they are in a relationship or not.
Testosterone Level Effects
Just as the levels of testosterone are affected by psychological and emotional, as well as biological causes, they also have psychological, emotional, and physical effects.
Too much or too little of the hormone will have adverse effects on the body, especially in reproductive function.
High Testosterone Levels
These are some of the effects of high testosterone levels in men:
- Low Sperm Count
- Increased risk to heart attacks
- Weight gain
- Aggressive behavior
- High blood pressure
Low Testosterone Levels
Here are the effects that a low amount of testosterone can have to the male body:
- Low libido
- Low muscle mass
- Loss of body and facial hair
- Irritability
- Depression
Testosterone is an essential hormone to regulate the body’s needs and function in both men and women. As the primary sex hormone for males, it has much more notable causes and effects on the body.
A relationship’s effect on a man’s testosterone level might be as significant as motivating biological adaptations or might not be that major, it might be a factor as well for their readiness to start a family.
