Does poor sleep cause low testosterone?

Do you get enough sleep? If you are a man and regularly deprive yourself of sleep, you may find yourself suffering from certain health problems now or in the near future that are related to low testosterone levels. A study discussed on Science Daily has found that healthy young men have their testosterone levels significantly reduced when they don't get regular sleep.

Eve Van Cauter, PhD, a professor in medicine and director of the study, found that men who slept less than five hours a night for one week in a laboratory had significantly lower levels of testosterone than when they had a full night's sleep.

Testosterone is critical for building strength, muscle mass and bone density. The study found that, by skipping sleep, young men reduced their testosterone to levels of men who are 10 to 15 years older. During the study, young men (average age 24) spent three nights in a laboratory sleeping for up to ten hours, and then eight nights sleeping less than five hours. Their blood was sampled every 15 to 30 minutes testing testosterone levels.

The results showed that testosterone levels decreased by 10%-15% after the week of sleep loss compared with their rested states. This decrease in testosterone levels was also associated with a loss of vigour among the participants. These men reported their mood and level of vigour during the study. The result was a declined sense of well-being as their testosterone levels dropped, which continued to decline through the end of the study.

Men lose testosterone as they age

After the age of 30, men begin to experience a gradual drop in testosterone at a rate of 1% to 2% per year. As a man ages, they may begin suffering from symptoms of low testosterone, which include feeling excessively fatigued, weaker, depressed or loss of sex drive. If you feel as though you are suffering from the above symptoms and believe the culprit could be low testosterone, consider getting your blood tested to determine if your amount of testosterone is deficient.

Adjusting lifestyle for better testosterone production

By lifting weights, eating a proper diet, sleeping 7 to 8 hours per day, minimizing stress and cortisol levels and following a healthy lifestyle, you can help boost the testosterone your body produces naturally. Research natural methods for increasing testosterone as managing this by natural methods is the best way to increase your testosterone and reduce symptoms associated with having low T.

If your doctor has tested your blood and discovered you are deficient in testosterone, they may prescribe Testogel. This type of gel, also called "testosterone gel", works by boosting a man's testosterone levels by absorption through the skin. 

Symptoms of low testosterone

Symptoms of low testosterone are listed below.

• impotence

• infertility

• low sex drive

• tiredness

• depressive moods

• regression of masculine characteristics

• reduced body mass

• bone loss

• the inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection

Treatment for sleep deprivation

It is imperative that you get at least seven hours of sleep per evening. Many people feel more comfortable with eight hours of sleep. If you find it hard to fall asleep, you may be suffering from insomnia. There are a number of reasons why someone may be experiencing insomnia. Your doctor may determine that sleeping tablets may help you get the regular sleep you need. By managing your sleep better, you can avoid health problems associated with sleep deprivation, such as loss of testosterone.

Can Melatonin help me sleep better?

There is a supplement called "Melatonin" which can help people sleep better. Melatonin is actually a hormone produced by the body which helps regulate sleep and wake cycles. By taking Melatonin, your body gets the signal that it is time to sleep, making it much easier to do so. Unlike prescription sleep medications, Melatonin is not habit-forming and is safer to use long-term. Melatonin is used in the treatment of insomnia due to jet lag or having an odd schedule because of the timing of work shifts.