What Are the Causes of Hormonal Imbalance in Men?

Testosterone is the natural hormone that is dominant in males. A hormonal imbalance in men is created when a man has an overabundance of estrogen, the female hormone, in his system. It can cause urinary problems, lower sex drive, prostate issues and depression, along with many other serious health concerns. There are a variety of ways that a man can develop a problem with estrogen dominance.

Steroids

Steroids are synthetic male hormones. Doctors sometimes prescribe steroids in men who have extremely low testosterone levels. But when steroids are abused, they can create a hormonal imbalance that causes a negative reaction in men. Men can also experience dangerous side effects, such as high blood pressure, kidney and liver issues, uncontrollable anger and even a decrease in the size of the testicles.

Environment

Pollution is a bigger immediate concern than most people think. The many toxins in the air can negatively affect hormone secretion. So if you live in a major city that has a lot of pollution, you can end up having a hormonal imbalance. The petrochemical pollution in the environment can cause testosterone levels to decrease.

Diet

The food that a man eats can have a huge effect on his hormonal balance. Many of the foods we eat on a daily basis contain hormones (estrogens), including chicken, beef, fruit, milk and eggs. Farm animals are pumped with synthetic estrogen hormones in order to fatten them up. Fruits are sprayed with pesticides and herbicides that contain these same synthetic estrogens. The only way to avoid this consumption is to buy organically grown foods. Check the packages of meat and milk that you buy to be sure that the company did not use hormones in the animals, or else the hormones will eventually be passed into your system.

Aging

As a man ages, he will experience a hormonal shift due to the fact that less testosterone is being produced in his body. At the same time, he is still taking in foods and environmental influences that increase his estrogen levels, causing a potentially significant hormonal imbalance later in life.

Combating the Problem

If you want to build up your testosterone levels, change your diet to healthy foods, preferably those that are rich in soy, which has been shown to improve testosterone levels. You can also take synthetic testosterone and participate in hormone replacement therapies, but you must consult with your doctor about these supplements and solutions.