Many believe a healthy relationship can significantly improve their quality of life. Aside from keeping yourself happy and motivated, a healthy relationship provides a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. But it isn’t always flowers and rainbows for some couples. Many factors may affect your relationship with your partner, including low testosterone levels.
It’s normal for testosterone production to decrease after you turn 30 or hit menopause. But in men, low testosterone levels can be caused by hypogonadism, a condition where your testicles are no longer able to produce enough testosterone. On the other hand, low testosterone levels in women may occur due to certain factors, such as surgical removal of ovaries and oral estrogen therapy.
While some may think such matters won’t have much impact on their relationship, that might not be the case for others. Low testosterone levels could influence your overall behavior and thinking patterns if not addressed well and immediately. So, it’s crucial to understand this issue to deal with it effectively.
If you want to find out more about how low testosterone affects romantic relationships, continue reading.
Impacts of Low Testosterone Levels On Relationships
Testosterone, which is also known as the T hormones, is more important than you think. More than affecting a man’s sex drive and urges, it could affect their physical, emotional, mental, social, and overall functionality if not handled properly. Aside from that, your energy levels, mood, and psyche are at stake during the onset of this condition.
For instance, men with low testosterone levels tend to be more susceptible to mood instability, low self-esteem, and intrusive thoughts. Moreover, having low testosterone levels may alter your thinking patterns and overt behavior, making you feel anxious, irritable, and depressed.
Listed below are other effects of low testosterone on romantic relationships.
- Insecurities
One of the most common consequences of having low testosterone levels is being at risk of depressive and intrusive thoughts. Apart from dealing with low sex drives and a significant decrease in energy levels, you might show signs of insecurity due to low testosterone levels.
In fact, men with low T hormones tend to experience unfavorable body changes, such as unusual weight gain, lack of body hair, reduced muscle mass, gynecomastia, or the development of breast tissue.
Dealing with such issues may significantly affect your self-esteem and emotional state, and these emotional problems can lead to extreme feelings of insecurity, social anxiety, and depression. Consequently, the way you interact with your partner and handle relationships changes.
So, if you’re suffering from this condition, take note of the initial signs and consult a doctor. By doing that, you’ll know the proper measures to take to regulate your T hormones and regain your confidence.
- Misunderstandings Due To Mood Swings
In addition to affecting your self-esteem and physical health, low testosterone levels can lead to mood instability, irritability, and anxiety. It’s because insufficient T hormones affects the production of cortisol in your body. Notably, having comparably high cortisol levels and low T hormones may stimulate feelings of irritability, hostility, and anxiety.
Like the aftereffects of hormonal imbalance, low testosterone levels can trigger mood swings and stress. Such instances can make you or your partner feel more pressured to deal with sudden outbursts and unstable mood. Extreme mood swings and mental instability may also prevent you from communicating with your partner more freely, which will only lead to misunderstandings and arguments.
- Disinterest
Do you or your partner tend to behave coldly or seem uninterested lately? Or are you feeling stressed out and tired? If so, changes in behavior may be a result of testosterone levels. You’ll have to straighten things out with your partner and discuss the problem.
Men with low testosterone levels tend to have poor energy levels and extreme tiredness. They may experience reduced energy levels as well, which prevents them from performing daily activities.
While it’s common for most people to feel worn out, fatigue might be a sign of low T hormones. Being aware of the early signs will help to relieve symptoms of reduced testosterone levels:
- You don’t have the energy to engage in physical activities.
- You don’t seem to enjoy your favorite activities.
- You may have difficulty getting through the day.
- You may feel chronic fatigue.
- You don’t like to socialize or are no longer as active as you used to be.
Final Thoughts
Having low testosterone levels can negatively affect not only your physical and mental health but also your romantic relationship. Figuring out whether you have low T hormones may not be as straightforward as you think. But if you’re aware of the early signs, you’ll be able to know when to seek professional help. You can even attend programs and interventions that will help improve your mental health and strengthen your relationship with your partner. Last but not least, you can make lifestyle changes, such as working out regularly and following a balanced diet.
