Testosterone is a hormone that regulates male characteristics and sexual function. Just like other hormones in your body, testosterone naturally fluctuates from day to day and over the course of your life.
Your testosterone levels start increasing when you enter puberty, and peak in your late teens. Around age 30, testosterone begins declining at a rate of about 1% per year.
Lower testosterone levels are normal as you get older, but testosterone that drops too low can have a range of negative effects on your health and well-being.
Symptoms can include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction (ED), weight gain, and more. If you’re concerned that you have low testosterone, you might be wondering if there’s anything you can do to increase testosterone levels.
Our team at Advanced Urology specializes in diagnosing and treating low testosterone. In your consultation at one of our offices — in Redondo Beach, Culver City, San Pedro, and Los Angeles, California — we review your symptoms and perform a few tests to identify any hormonal imbalances. Then, we recommend ways to increase your testosterone.
Testosterone naturally declines with age, but age isn’t the only factor. Your overall health and your lifestyle contribute to your body’s testosterone production, too.
Making some simple lifestyle changes can increase natural testosterone production. Our team might recommend:
Physical activity is one of the best ways to increase testosterone production naturally. People who get regular exercise have more testosterone than those who don’t, so strive to get about 30 minutes of moderate activity most days, and lift weights a few times a week.
A nutritious diet fuels your body and helps it function at its best. If you have low testosterone, improving your diet could increase testosterone levels. Focus on eating healthy foods like fruit, vegetables, and lean protein, with a balance of healthy fats and carbohydrates.
Carrying extra weight can lower testosterone levels and have a negative effect on other hormones. Maintaining a healthy weight or striving to shed extra pounds if you have weight to lose can help regulate testosterone.
When you’re stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol negatively impacts testosterone, and high stress levels can contribute to low testosterone over time. Find ways to reduce stress, such as exercise or medication, to fight these effects.
Sleep is an essential restorative period for your body, and it’s critical for optimal hormone function. Prioritize getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and you could see an improvement in your testosterone levels and your symptoms.
For many men with low testosterone levels, implementing healthy lifestyle changes relieves their symptoms and increases their testosterone. However, lifestyle changes aren’t enough for everyone.
Men with severe symptoms of low testosterone or those who don’t find relief with conservative treatments may be good candidates for testosterone replacement therapy. If you’ve tried other options and you’re still living with low testosterone, talk to our team about your options.
We offer customized testosterone replacement therapy to boost testosterone levels. Based on your health needs, we may recommend testosterone in a topical gel, tablet, injection, or pellet implant.
Hormone therapy rebalances testosterone levels in your body, and you can expect to see your symptoms fade in 3-6 months. Our team works closely with you throughout your treatment, adjusting your dosages as needed to help you feel your best.
Low testosterone is common, and you don’t have to live with it. For customized recommendations to increase your testosterone levels, book a consultation at Advanced Urology. Contact us online or call for an appointment.
