Hormone imbalance symptoms of males can occur at any point in your life. It can be brought on by stress, an acute injury or illness, poor nutrition, inadequate exercise, and a lot of other factors.

Men experience natural periods of hormonal imbalance during their lifetime. As they age, I say about around their 50’s, this occurrence is called andropause ” The Male Menopause”.

The symptoms of hormone imbalance are imprecise; therefore generally misdiagnosed and ignored. Male hormone imbalance is an increasing issue in today’s time.

My goal in doing this article is that not only will you better understand these hormone imbalance symptoms of males, but be able to deal with them by using herbs.

Testosterone, prolactin, and estrogen are some of the many hormones produced in the male body. Testosterone plays an important role in male development. If you aren’t producing enough testosterone, it can cause a variety of symptoms.

Hormone Imbalance Symptoms of Males:

Low Sex Drive

Libido is a term used to describe sexual desire in both men and women. Low sex drive occurs when an individual loses all desire to be sexually active. Low levels of testosterone and high levels of prolactin–a hormone responsible for breast milk production–may cause this problem.

The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library explains that about two-thirds of men who have high levels of prolactin in the bodies lose interest in sex and develop low sex drive.

A low sex drive might be caused by imbalanced testosterone, the follicle-stimulating hormone, and the luteinizing hormone. Normally, these work together to help the reproductive system thrive.

Erectile Dysfunction

A condition in which a man is unable to maintain an erection long enough to have satisfactory sexual intercourse is referred to as erectile dysfunction. MedlinePlus explains that in this case, an erection may not be attained or once established, the erection is lost during intercourse.

High levels of prolactin and low levels of testosterone may lead to erectile dysfunction. Along with low testosterone, an imbalance level of thyroid hormones can lead to erectile dysfunction (ED). Issues with the pituitary gland can boost prolactin production, causing ED.

Breast Enlargement

Man’s body produces more testosterone than estrogen(the female sex hormone). This is why men have flatter chests and more masculine features. But when hormonal imbalance causes estrogen to increase (and testosterone to decrease), breast enlargement occurs. This is one of the hormone imbalance symptoms of males that is most noticeable.

The imbalance can be caused by the normal aging process or some underlying conditions. The medical term for this disorder is gynecomastia.

Breast Milk Production

The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library describes galactorrhea as a condition in which a woman who is not breast-feeding starts producing breast milk. This condition can also affect men who suffer from certain hormonal imbalances. It is caused by high levels of prolactin and low levels of testosterone in the body.

Low Sperm count (Infertility)

Testosterone is most often associated with sex drive, and plays a vital role in sperm production. This condition may be caused by low sperm counts or low sperm quality.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the process of fertility begins with the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the hypothalamus. This hormone then stimulates the pituitary gland to release two other hormones known as the follicle-stimulating hormone and the luteinizing hormone.

These two hormones are directly involved in sperm production because follicle-stimulating hormone is responsible for maintaining sperm production while the luteinizing hormone ensures testosterone production.

A deficiency in gonadotropin-releasing hormone may result in low follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels which can in turn lead to low or no sperm production.

Weight Gain

Testosterone, the male sex hormone, is responsible for muscle mass and the masculine look. But when the testosterone levels are low, body fat and weight increase. This causes you to gain weight even when you are not trying.

Fatigue

When your testosterone levels are low, it be might be causing grogginess and insomnia. Prolonged stress can also increase cortisol, which regulates your sleep cycle. High levels can lead to tiredness and weakness, but lower levels may also have a similar effect.

Depression

Low testosterone equals a low mood. An under-active thyroid gland, or hypothyroidism, might also be the culprit. This condition is marked by a lack of the thyroid hormone, leading to mood swings, sadness, or a lack of motivation.

Hair Loss

Any testosterone that is produced may convert into other molecules. In the hair, an enzyme turns it into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This is super potent and is the main cause of age-related balding. Hair growth is also blunted, while existing hair becomes thin and weak.

Excess Estrogen

Some men think they have symptoms of testosterone deficiency, but in reality, it’s just excess estrogen. Symptoms of excess estrogen are similar to testosterone deficiency.

If you have two or more of the above symptoms, then you may have a hormone imbalance.

Low Body Temperature

There’s a small gland right below the Adam’s apple and above the chest bone that is called the thyroid. When receiving a signal (via a hormone) from the brain, the thyroid secretes the thyroid hormones T3 and T4, which maintain the bodily energy production in all of its cells.

If the thyroid is sluggish and secretes too little of the hormones T3 and T4 (hypothyroidism), then the bodily energy production also goes down, and this slows down EVERYTHING in the body. It slows down the metabolic rate, hair and nail growth, synthesis of other hormones, bowel movements, and the immune system.

One of the easiest ways to identify a problem in the thyroid gland and an imbalance in the thyroid hormones, is by taking your morning body temperature.

According to Dr. Broda Barnes, the optimal waking temperature is between 97.8 – 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit, higher than that and you’re likely suffering from hyperthyroidism (over active thyroid), lower than that and you’re likely having hypothyroidism (under active thyroid).

Brain Fog

Brain fog is medically called “clouding of consciousness”. It feels like a cloudy feeling in the head, inability to think, and acute memory loss. It’s usually caused by widespread micronutrient deficiencies and lack of proper nutrition.

Which in turn has led to increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol, lowered levels of the male hormone testosterone, and usually has suppressed thyroid levels.

If the cause isn’t taken care off, the chronically elevated cortisol levels and suppressed thyroid can start causing actual damage to the brain tissue, and eventually lead into real dementia.

Unexplained Loss of Muscle Mass (Inability to Maintain Muscle Mass)

Hormonal imbalance in androgens like testosterone, and/or peptide hormones like growth hormone can result in unexplained loss of muscle mass, even in people who actively lift weights.

When these hormones dip, muscle protein synthesis decreases, muscle accompanying cell activity goes down, and catabolic (muscle breaking) compounds like myostatin are elevated.

When this muscle loss occurs, many men panic and try to fix it by lifting more weights, but this can backfire by increasing cortisol levels and stress-response and further suppressing the hormones that are necessary for growth of muscle mass.

Final Thoughts:

Knowing hormone imbalance symptoms in men can help you address the underlying cause and help get your hormones in balance again. Stress reduction, rest and relaxation is very important because most of the male hormones are generated during deep sleep.

Sometimes, all you need is to make some lifestyle changes to help your body produce enough hormones. Other times, you need natural herb remedies to help manage the symptoms of hormone imbalance.

I hope you found this article helpful! If you have any other questions, feel free to leave it in the comments below! I’ll make sure to reply ASAP

Disclaimer: The information provided on Herbs For Ailment is for educational purposes only and IS NOT intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.