What Causes Low Testosterone in Young Males 7 Reasons

Everyday signs of low testosterone in men as experts warn it is a key link to erectile dysfunction Health

Famed as the fuel behind strength, sex, masculinity, and fertility, testosterone makes men perform at their best. It’s difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to one of the most talked about hormones. He works as a GP in the NHS and as the Head of Medical at digital men’s health clinic Numan. At Numan, he advises on the development of new products and services, manages the clinical team, and works closely with marketing to develop medical messaging for television advertising and social media. In addition, he regularly contributes expert medical comments to mainstream media publications on behalf of Numan such as The Times, The Independent, The Sun, The Daily Mail, Men’s Health and Vice.

It is essential to have an accurate diagnosis, which typically involves a blood test to measure your total testosterone level. If the levels are confirmed to be low, several treatment options may be considered. With the availability of new T formulations in combination with aggressive consumer advertising there has been an exponential rise in the use of TRT for late onset hypogonadism. In the USA, sales of T preparations quadrupled between 2000 and 2011, although the number of low serum T in commercial laboratories has remained relatively constant (44). Problems with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, which are parts of the brain that tell the testicles to produce testosterone, can lower your levels of the hormone. This might include Kallmann’s syndrome, which is a brain development abnormality, or a pituitary disorder that might interfere with normal testosterone production, according to the Mayo Clinic.

« Either directly or indirectly, smoking does affect sexual and overall general health, » says Dr. Hakim. We do know that smoking often has a negative effect on erectile function because of damage to your blood vessels and the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of your arteries). Boston Medical Group Telemedicine, via our Telemedicine platform, is now able to service patients in all 50 states and remains the same trusted brand for over 20 years helping men improve their sex life. If any of these risk factors are in your family health history, tell your doctor. If you suspect that your testosterone is low, talk to your doctor about any symptoms that you’re having, Dr. Nall urges. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause testosterone deficiency. The relationship between weight and testosterone is a « vicious cycle, » Dr. Nall says.

He was the fellowship director at the Center for East-West Medicine and led courses for physician fellows, residents, and medical students. Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, and trauma healing. Wolter completed his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Illinois. He then completed his urology residency at Tulane University in New Orleans, followed by a fellowship in female hormones test list – https://behaviortherapyassociates.com/, pelvic medicine and reconstructive urology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Guidelines suggest yearly colorectal cancer and blood pressure checks. Colorectal cancer screenings start at age 45, and regular prostate cancer screenings should take place from age 50 to 70, unless a strong personal or family history dictates otherwise. While this may not mean their sex life has necessarily ended, they might just have lost enthusiasm for it.

An unhealthy gut microbiome could disrupt hormone production, potentially leading to lower testosterone levels. Several underlying medical conditions can be linked to low testosterone levels. A lack of testosterone can result in physical and psycho-emotional symptoms, such as reduced muscle mass, low energy levels, decrease in bone density, mood swings, and fertility issues. Before you start any treatment, it’s critical to discuss the benefits and potential risks with your healthcare provider. Testosterone replacement isn’t suitable for everyone and may pose risks in certain health conditions. Monitoring and adjusting the therapy might be necessary based on your response to treatment.

What’s more, one in four men delay seeking medical advice for five years. As he puts it, « most men are never educated about hormonal health in the same way women are around menopause ». Once dismissed as a rare condition affecting older men, low T (testosterone deficiency) is now understood as a far more widespread issue. Thanks to a mix of modern stress, environmental exposures, and plain old aging, more men are hitting their 40s and 50s feeling like shadows of themselves — and many don’t even know why. In 2025, clinics like AlphaMan, a men’s health center specializing in hormone optimization, are rethinking how testosterone therapy fits into modern masculinity.

Symptoms of low testosterone in men under 30 include erectile dysfunction, decreased libido or sexual activity, infertility, and hair loss. Short acting, T nasal gel (Natesto®) is an exogenous T that may not decrease spermatogenesis. Early results from a phase 4 trial reported that Natesto significantly increased median AM T levels without affecting median FSH, LH and semen parameters at 6 months follow-up. Further benefit of Natesto compared to other forms of exogenous TRT includes the ease of delivery, no need for needles and decreased risk of transference (43). IF YOU’RE NOTICING that your sex drive isn’t what it used to be, or that you’re struggling to get through your workouts, or that you’re just feeling down, your testosterone levels could be to blame. Low testosterone can cause many symptoms, and several factors can contribute to a deficiency. However, consistent hormone replacement therapy helps improve sex drive, ease symptoms of depression and increase energy levels for those experiencing low testosterone.

In cases where someone has low testosterone due to a modifiable underlying condition, one of the first steps would be to treat or manage that condition. It can be difficult to diagnose low testosterone in younger males because the symptoms are vague. Growth hormone deficiency that occurs in childhood causes short stature. It can also cause other complications, such as delayed puberty or blood sugar problems. Alison Ozgur, RDN, is a wellness expert with advanced training in whole-food, plant-based nutrition. She is also an adjunct instructor of nutrition at Jersey College in Teterboro, New Jersey, and a board-certified lifestyle medicine professional through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.