Role of the Pituitary Gland
Though initially perceived as a myth, Male menopause is slowly gaining acceptance among the people as a medical condition that is likely to affect men as they grow old. Most of often than not male menopause is blamed on lowering levels of testosterone in a man’s body while the role of pituitary glands in escalating this condition is overlooked. Let us take a closer look pituitary glands affect the whole process.
To begin with we need to understand that pituitary glands in the brain produce a hormone called leuteinizing hormone, or simply LH, which sends order to testicles to produce testosterone. It must be noted that brain doesn’t produce the testosterone hormone, but it regulates its production.
Failure of pituitary glands in sending messages, along with incapable testicles, form the major causes of sagging testosterone levels in aged men. Clearly, if pituitary glands don’t secrete sufficient amount of LH, the functioning of testes in producing testosterone will be affected significantly. Secretion of the testosterone hormone also varies with certain times of the day, as it is found to be most prominent in morning and sunset times.
One must also note that testosterone is the prevailing male hormone, monitors a number of processes in a male’s body. In addition to performing sex-related functions, testosterone also helps in monitoring cholesterol-levels, regulating sugar levels in blood, bolstering immunity, and providing strength to bones.
Various metabolic processes, such as cell growth and cell production, also get stimulated by this hormone. Along with all these functions, testosterone also seems to be beneficial in building mental concentration, and is reportedly being effective in preventing a number of mood disorders, and memory related problems including Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, testosterone is not only an ingredient of the steroids pack that helps in muscle building, but it’s an integral part of a males’ body that help in performing a wide range of functions.
Testosterone hormone functions by linking to proteins available in the blood. These useful proteins flow though the blood stream and reach the sites where the hormone works. However, certain amount of testosterone doesn’t link with any protein in the blood, and hence termed as ‘free testosterone’.
Free testosterone is very useful in a male’s hormonal system. When male menopausal stage is at its peak, more of this free testosterone connects to blood proteins, leaving little amount of free testosterone in the body. Ironically, this linkage of testosterone with blood proteins generally triggers menopause in males.
As men approach their 50s, androgen levels in their body start plunging. Androgen is responsible for a wide range of activities, including sperm production, deepening of voice, checking erectile dysfunction, aiding facial hairs, and facilitating determine the sex of an unborn child. In addition, lack of androgen also affects muscle building, causing decline of strength and reduced muscle mass.
Nevertheless, all these aftermaths of lowering testosterone levels can be effectively tackled with proper exercising regimen, coupled with required dietary supplements for the purpose. Besides, other alternatives, like testosterone creams, can also help individuals in regaining their lost sex drives and energy levels.