Testosterone and Manhood

    

Men are always telling other men to man up, don't be a wimp or simp. Men take masculinity seriously. Manhood and masculinity are two different things. Masculinity are qualities or attributes regarded as characteristics of men or boys. It is attitudes and behaviors that signifiy and validate maleness. Masculinity is socially constructed and influenced by culture.

Boys can do masculine things. Women can be masculine also. Don't believe me? Look up masculinity and the traits of masculinity. You will find modern masculinity traits are defined by courage, assertiveness, leadership, strength, courage, and compassion. Men, children, and women can display the characteristics of masculinity.

Do women love a muscular man? Millennial women are turning their attention back towards the manly man, but in the end, it is character that counts. For decades, the presence of muscles on a man declared his virility. People attributed muscles to manhood and he was a man who could take care of business. Women still enjoy muscular men, but usually for short-term relationships.

Women want a provider, protector, and procreator (father who stay and care for his children). They want a loyal committed man who may or may not have muscles. So why was the  muscular man sought after? Because muscles were an indicator of testosterone in men. Testosterone is what makes a man a man. Now women are not searching out men with muscles. It no longer matters as much as it once did to them. Men, on the other hand, should take note of their decreasing muscle mass (and there is a decrease), an indicator of low testosterone. The definition of manhood includes taking care of your physical and sexual health. Low testosterone increases depression, decreases bone density and self-esteem, and sex drive. 

The hormone testosterone gives men their deep voice, body hair, and muscular body. The sexual component peaks in adolescence and young adulthood. Testosterone is generally at its peak in young men aged 18-19. A man's ability to produce testosterone starts to decline at about 40 years of age, and levels continue to drop 1 – 3% a year thereafter.

Has testosterone declined in response to a changed world, or has the world changed to accommodate less virile men? Testosterone changes are largely explained by smoking behavior and changes in health status, particularly obesity and depression. But, many scientists attribute lower testosterone levels to the type of work men are doing. More on that in a minute.

Men’s testosterone levels have dropped at least 20% in the last 20 years with more and more younger men suffering the effects of low testosterone.

This is not a new trend. Seventy-year-old men in 1987-89 had an average testosterone level that was almost 100 points higher than even 55-year-old men in 2002-04. Meaning that the average 22 year old man today, has an average testosterone level roughly equal to that of  a 67 year old man in 2000. Therefore, it’s likely that your testosterone levels are half of those of your father and undoubtedly significantly less than your grandfather.

Levels of testosterone of single men and men in new relationships did not differ, but both had significantly greater levels of testosterone than men in long-term relationships. Many men as well as women believe having a lot of sex increases testosterone. Studies show there is no relationship between testosterone levels and sexual activity. A 2003 study shows testosterone levels could be more influenced by a LACK of sex than by sex itself. This is the use it or lose it principle. And overuse does not mean better or more testosterone.

Many observers put more weight on increased exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides, parabens, and chemicals common in household products like phthalates and bisphenol A, decreasing testosterone in men. Also playing a role are long-term shifts in the ways we work and live. Young men are far less likely to hold jobs in manual labor, so they don’t have to be as physically strong as previous generations. Boys and teens no longer participate in sports where testosterone plays a significant factor. Many men have office jobs, spend leisure time gaming, watching t.v., or on their phone on social media. These activities do not require muscles. 

Meanwhile, certain forms of close relationships—such as marriage, fatherhood, and increased time spent with children—are casually linked to lower testosterone levels. Lower testosterone helps facilitate supportive relationships, researchers said. Other research found that the quality of a relationship, including satisfaction, commitment, and investment, lowered testosterone for both men and women, and that couples were more satisfied when one person had lower testosterone. Men who become married experience an accelerated decline in testosterone whereas men who remain unmarried experience a slower decline.

Most American Millennial men report feeling pressured to project a traditional image of manhood characterized by traits like toughness, self-reliance, and hypersexuality—but when asked if they wish to emulate these characteristics themselves, the majority don’t. 

In addition to causing physical changes, having low levels of testosterone can affect a man on an emotional level. The condition can lead to feelings of sadness or depression. Low testosterone can lead to depression, anxiety, mood swings, and other mental health problems, such as feelings of uselessness and low self-worth. Therefore, if you want to live your best and healthiest life, it's crucial to have adequate testosterone levels. Some men  have trouble with memory and concentration and experience lowered motivation and self-confidence. Many men's testosterone levels drop too far and the results are increased irritability, anger, and depression.

Higher testosterone levels can be linked to a higher probability of infidelity in men, study finds. Men who cheat on their romantic partner tend to also have higher testosterone levels than men who don't cheat, according to new research published in the journal Biological Psychology. Remember, new relationships tend to increase testosterone levels. Men have a decline in testosterone in COMMITTED relationships. Men who cheat are not in a committed relationship regardless of how many years he has been in the relationship. 

Can a man know if he may be suffering from low testosterone? Yes. But do men attribute the symptoms to low testosterone? No. 

Symptoms of low testosterone.

• Low sex drive.
• Problems having an erection.
• Low sperm count.
• Sleep problems such as insomnia.
• Decrease in muscle size and strength.
• Bone loss.
• Increase in body fat.
• Depression.

What can a man do if he believes he has low testosterone? Always seek medical advice for any health problems that are experienced. There are some things that a man can do on his own if he have symptoms of low testosterone.

1.    Maintain ideal body weight. Obesity is an enemy of testosterone

2.    Avoid developing diabetes

3.    Exercise

4.    Sleep well

5.    Avoid tobacco products

6.    Avoid excessive alcohol

7.    Avoid opioid pain medication

8.    Avoid Xenobiotics. Found in plastic products

9.    Avoid excessive stress

10.    Eat well. Cut out excessive sugar, caffeine, red meat, excessive dairy products, food dyes, processed food.

11.    Dietary Suppliments such as zinc, Quercetin, Grapeseed extract, and DHEA

High testosterone levels do not make a man more manly. Testosterone levels can affect masculinity and how it is demonstrated by men, but remember, boys and women can also demonstrate masculine traits. It is surprising that the man in solid, lasting, committed relationships have lower testosterone levels but are living out manhood. Manhood is always demonstrated in relationships where masculinity can be demonstrated outside of relationships in a solo effort. testosterone makes a man but does not necessarily give admission into manhood.