Acupuncture and Hormone Balance
Chapter 10. Testosterone and Prostate Problems
Testosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the interstitial cells of the testes. The production of testosterone is controlled by a luteinizing hormone released by the anterior pituitary gland and is subject to a negative feedback mechanism. Therefore, if you have too much testosterone, the pituitary gland will reduce the amount of luteinizing hormone so that the testes produce less testosterone. On the other hand, if testosterone level is too low, the pituitary will increase the amount of the stimulating hormone to push the testes to produce more testosterone.
Functions of Testosterone
1. Testosterone is necessary for the proper development of the male reproductive system during puberty.
2. Following puberty, testosterone keeps the male reproductive system working properly, producing healthy sperm and seminal fluid.
3. Testosterone promotes sexual function and the sexual drive.
4. Testosterone initiates and maintains the secondary sex characteristics of males. Males exhibit increased muscular development, deepened voices, broad shoulders, prominent body and facial hair, and patterned baldness.
What can cause low testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction?
1. Stress: Research indicates that stress can lower testosterone levels temporarily, causing functional impotence. If stress continues for too long, however, structural changes will also follow.
2. Medications: Certain medications such as those that treat high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression (including the tricyclics and the monoamine oxidase inhibitors) have been implicated in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and impaired ejaculation. Calcium channel blockers and acetylcholine esterase inhibitors cause a low incidence of erectile dysfunction. Although most high blood pressure medications have been associated with some kind of erectile impairment, diuretics seem to have little effect on erectile function. High blood pressure medications, which target the sympathetic nervous systems, seldom cause impotence but may trigger retrograde ejaculation because they may relax the smooth muscles in the prostatic urethra and at the bladder neck. Therefore, if one kind of blood pressure pill causes temporary impotence, you should try another kind.
© 2008 Li Zheng