Erectile Dysfunction and Vaping: Is There a Link?
Vaping is linked to a long list of health problems. From cardiovascular disease to lung inflammation, it doesn’t do your body any favors. And now, we can add erectile dysfunction to the list.
8 Factors That Can Impact Testosterone Levels
Hormones — and there are more than 50 types — are small, but mighty chemical messengers that influence almost every function in your body. One of these hormones, testosterone, is often discussed, and we want to chime in with some real information.
As a board-certified urologist, Dr. Robert J. Cornell has considerable expertise and experience in evaluating and treating low testosterone. If you’re concerned about it, here’s what we know about what influences your testosterone levels, both positively and negatively.
Factors that lower testosterone
Many everyday lifestyle and health factors can drive testosterone levels down over time, such as:
Sleep
The benefits of sleep extend well beyond being well-rested and having more energy. Many areas of your body, including your metabolic (or hormone) systems, use this time to reset, repair, and regulate. So, if you don’t get 7-9 hours of restorative sleep each night, this can impact your testosterone levels.
Stress
There’s no shortage of stress these days, and it can impact your hormone health. When you have chronic stress, the boost in stress-related hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, can suppress testosterone.
Weight
The link between weight and your testosterone levels is bi-directional. Men who carry too much weight are more prone to low testosterone, and having low testosterone can lead to weight gain.
Exercise
Leading a sedentary lifestyle is associated with lower testosterone. Conversely, exercise, especially strength training, can raise your levels.
Genetics
One study reports that genetics accounts for between 40% and 70% of the variation in testosterone levels.
Habits
Many habits we know to be unhealthy can also have a far reach. For example, smoking and drinking have been linked to lower-than-normal testosterone. These habits damage all types of cells, including the Leydig cells that produce testosterone.
Factors with less influence over testosterone
Certain factors that get blamed for low testosterone have either no influence or less than you think. Here are a couple of examples:
Seasonal variations
If you’re wondering whether the climate, seasons, or other weather considerations affect testosterone, research shows otherwise.
Age
You may hear people say older men lose testosterone in the same way women lose estrogen during menopause, but the reality is, they don’t.
While testosterone levels naturally decline as you get older, the deficit is gradual. In healthy males, this shouldn’t have as much of an impact as menopause does on women.
Get personalized insight into your testosterone levels
To find out what impacts your testosterone levels, our team can evaluate your unique factors. For guidance on how to best optimize your testosterone levels, contact our Houston office today to schedule an appointment.
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