Testosterone has long been wrapped up in cultural ideas of masculinity: strength, energy and vitality. So, when levels begin to decline, it can feel personal. Or like something is failing you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reality is that it\u2019s not failure, it\u2019s biology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many men tend to brush off symptoms or power through them, but there\u2019s a smarter approach: being proactive about your hormone health before small changes turn into bigger ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Healthy hormone levels aren\u2019t just about how you feel today. They play a critical role in your overall health, affecting how you function and thrive in the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike women, who often experience more rapid hormonal shifts during menopause, male hormone changes are a gradual testosterone decline with age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor women, perimenopause changes hit like falling off a cliff,\u201d explains Dr. Jennifer Bettenhausen<\/a>, a Vail Health family physician who specializes in hormone replacement therapy for both men and women. \u201cWith men, it\u2019s a slow, steady decrease, which makes it harder to recognize.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Testosterone levels typically drop about 1% per year, or 10% per decade, starting around age 30. That might not sound like much, but over time, it adds up, becoming more noticeable in the mid-40s and 50s. Because the change is subtle, symptoms are often overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common low testosterone symptoms to watch for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Testosterone does more than influence mood or libido: it plays a key role in men\u2019s health and aging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maintaining healthy testosterone levels helps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOver time, lower testosterone levels can be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, dementia, anxiety and depression,\u201d warns Dr. Barry Sandler<\/a>, medical director of the Vail Healthspan program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Healthy testosterone levels aren\u2019t just about how you feel; it\u2019s about how well your body functions as you age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By age 40, it\u2019s worth considering a baseline hormone panel, even if you feel fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s important to get a baseline number so you know where to start when your numbers begin to decline,\u201d says Sandler. \u201cWe always take a whole-person approach first to see if the person is doing everything they can before hormone replacement therapy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hormone panels aren\u2019t typically included in routine screenings, but they can be requested through your primary care provider or a specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Foundational habits should be dialed in before someone considers hormone replacement therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEating a healthy diet, getting high-quality sleep, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol and marijuana, and living a healthy lifestyle will help your symptoms, but not change your hormone levels,\u201d Bettenhausen explains. \u201cMost of the decrease in hormone levels is due to age and we haven\u2019t figured out how to age backward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some supplements, like zinc and selenium, may support testosterone production, along with adequate protein and creatine intake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve already made adjustments to your lifestyle and still aren\u2019t seeing a change, that\u2019s when treatment can make a meaningful difference. But, like many things in medicine, deciding when to get treatment is not black and white; instead, it falls into the gray area based on several factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe would consider hormone replacement therapy for men whose testosterone levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter and have symptoms,\u201d Sandler says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several common forms of testosterone therapy, which include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like any medical therapy, testosterone treatments aren\u2019t without risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Testosterone can increase red blood cell production, which is already elevated at altitude. Without proper oversight, this can thicken the blood, leading to health risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also considerations around prostate health. While testosterone therapy has not been proven to cause prostate cancer, it may accelerate the growth of the prostate and uncover an undiagnosed condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The takeaway: treatment should always be guided and closely monitored by a qualified provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aging is inevitable. How you age is not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Addressing hormone health will improve your overall quality of life, including sleep, mood, sexual health and overall well-being. So, pay attention to your body, recognize subtle changes and take action early by seeking out a professional and asking questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s about investing in your health, both now and for the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Connect with one of our hormonal health experts to take the next step in your health care journey.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n
Why Testosterone Matters for Long-Term Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When and How to Test<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The First Line of Defense: Lifestyle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When to Consider Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Understanding the Risks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Aging Well is an Active Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Want to understand your health?<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t