The Connection Between Low Testosterone and Headaches
The Connection Between Low Testosterone and Headaches! Anyone who has ever experienced a migraine or cluster headache is familiar with how terrible and incapacitating they can be. Have you ever questioned why you are experiencing symptoms such as blinding pain? Your hormones might be one of the problems.
Hormones and headaches in women clearly have a link. Around the time of menstruation, estrogen and progesterone levels in women change. Migraine headaches can be brought on by these changes.
In contrast side, pregnancy-related increases in female hormones can momentarily alleviate migraines. Additionally, many women find that after menopause, their migraines completely vanish.
The link between hormones and migraine in men is less obvious. However, some data point to low testosterone (low T) levels as a possible migraine-causing factor in males. To find out if testosterone treatment helps lessen headaches, more study is required.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is the hormone that drives the development of the male reproductive system. It’s responsible for many of the changes boys go through in puberty. Male characteristics including a deep voice, facial hair, and bulky muscles are produced by testosterone. Additionally, it’s essential for sperm production and libido preservation in mature males.
Low testosterone is also produced by women. In order to keep women’s sex drives strong, testosterone is essential. Additionally, it’s necessary for strong bones and muscles.
As people age, their levels of testosterone normally decrease in both men and women. Some health conditions can also cause low T and lower levels of other hormones.
Hormones are chemicals that direct a variety of functions in your body. For example, different hormones determine how your body does the following:
- grows
- breaks down food for energy
- becomes sexually mature
What causes low testosterone
Causes of low testosterone levels may include:
- testicular injury or infection.
- chemotherapy or radiation cancer treatments.
- pituitary gland disease or other hormone disorders.
- medications, such as corticosteroids and opiate pain relief.
- genetic conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome.
- alcohol and drug abuse.
Low testosterone symptoms
Low testosterone in men is common as they get older. Symptoms can be subtle, but there is treatment available if the symptoms affect your lifestyle.
Low testosterone symptoms in men may include:
- Reduced sex drive.
- Reduced erectile function.
- Loss of body hair.
- Less beard growth.
- Loss of lean muscle mass.
- Feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
- Obesity (being overweight)
- Symptoms of depression.
Low testosterone woman
The main cause of low testosterone in women is natural aging. A woman’s testosterone levels decrease over time, particularly in menopause. Women who have had the ovaries surgically removed or damaged from chemotherapy can also experience low testosterone, which is produced in part in the ovaries.
Low libido, weight gain, and changes in mood are all common signs of low testosterone levels. Low testosterone over a long period of time may also contribute to more serious issues like heart disease, poor memory, and loss of bone density.
How is testosterone linked to headaches?
According to studies, men’s headaches and low testosterone may be related. The use of testosterone replacement therapy for the treatment of headaches is also supported by some data. Many previous studies have found a potential connection between cluster headaches and low T in men.
In a more recent study, testosterone’s impact on migraine headaches in a small sample of pre- and postmenopausal women was examined. The scientists discovered that both groups of women who received tiny testosterone pellets subcutaneously had migraine relief.
To determine if testosterone therapy is a safe and effective treatment for various types of headaches, more study is required to validate these findings. It’s possible that testosterone might help prevent or relieve headaches by:
- stopping cortical spreading depression (CSD), a disruption of electrical activity in your brain that may cause migraines
- increasing levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that carries messages from one part of your brain to another
- widening blood vessels in your brain, which can help improve blood flow
- reducing swelling in your brain
See: Types of Headaches: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Low testosterone treatment
Testosterone replacement therapy involves taking prescribed testosterone medication in the form of pills, patches, and gel that you apply to your skin. Also testosterone therapy can come in the form of injections. Testosterone injections are one of the more common forms of testosterone replacement therapy.
However, the best way to improve testosterone levels is by adopting some lifestyle habits that can improve overall health and well-being. And these may include:
- Getting enough sleep
- Maintain a balanced diet
- Lose weight
- Stay active
- Stress reduction
- Vitamins and supplements
- Review medications
- Avoid drugs and alcohol abuse
What are the dangers of testosterone therapy?
Risks of testosterone therapy: The effectiveness of testosterone treatment in treating headaches is yet unknown. It is often not advised for that use. Both men and women may experience a range of negative effects from it. Possible side effects of testosterone therapy in men include:
- blood clots in your veins
- enlargement of your breasts
- enlargement of your prostate
- shrinking of your testicles
- lowered sperm production
- oily skin and acne
- sleep apnea
The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) further issues a warning that testosterone therapy may raise your risk of death, heart attack, and stroke. Possible side effects of testosterone therapy in women include:
- deeper voice
- hair growth on your face and body
- male-pattern hair loss
- oily skin and acne
See your doctor
Speak with your doctor before deciding on an experimental headache medication, such as testosterone therapy. They can assist you in comprehending the advantages and disadvantages of various therapy alternatives. They’ll likely recommend further therapies to aid with symptom relief. For example, your doctor may recommend or prescribe:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen
- triptans, a class of medications used to treat migraines and cluster headaches
- tricyclic antidepressants, which are sometimes used to treat migraines
- drugs for high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers
- meditation, massage, or other complementary therapies
Before you find a therapy that works for you, you might need to try a few different ones.
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