Sleep and Low Testosterone
Both insomnia and low testosterone can cause daytime fatigue, however sleep deprivation itself can be a major cause of low testosterone. One’s disinterest in sex can be caused by not getting enough sleep. Or it can be caused by low testosterone levels in the body. However it is possible that low testosterone itself is caused by sleep deprivation. According to many studies, the answer is definitely yes. Ultimately low testosterone can cause sleep disturbances in many men and these disturbances can lead to low testosterone.
One 2011 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that one week of sleep restriction in young, healthy men resulted in a decrease of 10-15 percent of testosterone levels after just five hours of sleep a night for one week.
Other studies have shown that the gradual decrease in sleep time was responsible for lower testosterone levels in older men. Many other studies also show that sleep disturbances that are caused by sleep apnea, is directly linked to low testosterone. Sleep apnea is a common condition which causes obstructed breathing during sleep. They found that the men with sleep apnea were 50 percent more likely to have low testosterone then those without.
Normal Decline in Testosterone
Around the age of 30, testosterone naturally begins to drop steadily in men. This decline will continue as a man ages. At about 40, many men report having trouble sleeping. This pattern has many researchers believing that this decline in testosterone levels and the start of sleeping problems may in fact be linked. Men over 50 are the largest group reporting these sleep problems. These observations of sleep problems began the initial interest in comparing testosterone levels and sleep.
Why is There a Link Between Sleep and Low Testosterone?
Ultimately normal testosterone production requires high-performance sleep such as REM sleep. The majority of testosterone that is used each day is replenished at night. In older men, the gradual reduction of hours of sleep is closely linked to the gradual lowering of testosterone levels in the body. Many studies have shown that men with low T, especially older men, have more trouble sleeping overall. However it is still unclear whether low T levels actually affect sleep.
Researchers have found that low levels of testosterone can alter the way the brain syncs. This synchronization is needed for the brain to attain the deepest sleep possible. Inadequate testosterone levels can prevent this important syncing and preventing men from reaching deep sleep cycles.
Your Low T-Sleep Deprivation Problem
Ultimately, it’s important to discuss with your doctor your issues with sleep to determine if it is affecting your hormone levels. For many men who complain of fatigue, a doctor will test their hormone levels to determine if testosterone is affected. It is also important to look for causes of sleep disturbances. If you have daytime sleepiness, poor concentration, low energy and a low libido, talk to your doctor about the possibility of low testosterone levels.
What Does Loss of Sleep Do To Men?
One particular study found that just one week of diminished sleep lowered a man’s testosterone levels by 15%. Another study found that 15% of Americans get five hours of sleep or less nightly. Imagine what long-term sleep deprivation can do to someone’s hormone levels, especially men.
How to Fix Your Sleep Problem
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend an adult gets seven to nine hours of sleep each night. It’s important to set a routine and to try to get up at the same time every day of the week. Also, getting comfortable is important. Keep the bedroom dark, at a comfortable temperature and quiet.
It’s always important to speak to your doctor about your symptoms as there may be underlying medical conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea affecting your sleep.
