Much focus is placed on women and their hormones, but hormones play a large role in the lives of men as well. From sex drive to the development of muscles, hormones are as essential to a man’s well being as they are for women. Unfortunately, this under-representation leaves many men in the dark when it comes to solving their own hormone-related problems.
Today we’re going to look at some of the symptoms men might have due to hormonal imbalance.
- Depression – Depression is a symptom of of hormonal imbalance for men, just like it is for women. This can include feeling blue, unmotivated, and even losing your natural competitive drive. For men, these symptoms may go unnoticed longer, since men are less likely to talk about such feelings.
- Sleep problems – Hormonal imbalance can lead to a variety of sleep problems, including insomnia. This might manifest itself as problems staying asleep, changes in sleep patterns, or general restlessness. Like many other hormonal problems, sleep disturbances might start small but they get worse over time.
- Fatigue – Diminishing testosterone can leave guys feeling tired and exhausted. Oftentimes, this feeling is attributed to lack of sleep or to an increased workload, but this doesn’t go away after rest. Over time, this can become a chronic problem.
- Mood changes – Unlike depression, mood changes can include everything from being moody to a complete change in outlook. The change might be subtle, but it tends to increase over time. Feelings of reduced optimism, apathy, irritability, or even anger are all common.
- Reduced sex drive – Testosterone plays a large role in a man’s sex drive and sexual function. This can lead to a complete lack of interest and even erectile dysfunction. Unfortunately, many men don’t seek help for these problems out of embarrassment, but treatment can help restore normal function and drive.
Hormones play powerful roles in our daily lives, and while they affect men and women differently, they are equally important. So encourage the guys in your life to pay attention to any symptoms they experience, because while they may start small, they can quickly escalate!