Causes of Fatigue in Men: Could Your Hormones Be the Problem?
Constant fatigue and lethargy can be tricky to fix, especially when you’re not sure what’s causing it. There are many causes of fatigue in men, and discovering the root of the problem can make finding a solution much more straightforward.
Common causes of fatigue in men
Most of the time, fatigue in men is temporary and is normally down to a bad night sleep or a busy period at work. In other cases, fatigue is an ongoing problem despite feeling like you’ve had enough time to rest.
Common causes of fatigue include:
Not getting enough sleep
Adults should be aiming for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Making sure you have a healthy sleep routine is important for feeling refreshed, so try to get to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. You can’t ever ‘catch up’ on lost sleep.
An unhealthy lifestyle, and not enough exercise
Smoking, caffeine and alcohol are stimulants and will keep you awake even when you’re feeling fatigued. Cutting down on these will help your body regulate and support your circadian rhythm.
Stress or depression
Heightened stress can cause an increase in cortisol levels, keeping you awake at night. Journaling, talking to your friends and family or speaking to a therapist about how you’re feeling can help you to feel more relaxed, especially if you’re struggling with low mood repeatedly.
Some medications
Certain medications can affect your sleep quality. This includes antidepressants, antihistamines and medications for dealing with nausea and pain.
Common fixes for fatigue are:
Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly
Getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night
Having time to relax before bed
Sticking to a routine
Sometimes, fatigue doesn’t go away. In these cases, more investigations are needed to work out why you’re feeling tired all the time. Hormones play a big part in your energy levels - Here’s why…
How can hormone imbalance cause fatigue?
When most people think about fatigue, they often blame a lack of sleep, stress or a busy schedule. While these can all contribute to low energy levels, hormones also play an important role in how energised and motivated we feel each day.
Hormones act as the body's chemical messengers, helping to regulate everything from sleep and mood to metabolism, muscle strength and energy. When hormone levels become unbalanced, it can leave you feeling constantly tired, even after a full night's sleep.
Could low testosterone be causing your fatigue?
One of the most important hormones for men's health is testosterone. Testosterone helps maintain energy levels, muscle mass, mental focus, libido and overall wellbeing. As testosterone naturally declines with age, some men may begin to experience symptoms such as fatigue, low mood, reduced motivation and difficulty concentrating.
Because the symptoms often develop gradually, many men assume they're simply getting older or dealing with the pressures of everyday life. However, if fatigue is persistent and accompanied by other symptoms, it may be worth investigating whether a hormone imbalance, like andropause, could be contributing to the problem.
What is andropause?
Did you know that men can experience the ‘male menopause’?
If your answer was ‘no’, you’re alongside the millions of other people who have never heard of ‘andropause’.
Unlike menopause, where women’s hormones drop quickly over a short period of time, andropause is a gradual decline in hormones - particularly testosterone.
Andropause doesn’t affect every man in the same way and sometimes, men won’t experience symptoms at all. This is because testosterone levels decline gradually, by 1% each year from the age of 30 onwards.
At Marion Gluck Clinic, we can help you manage and treat the symptoms of andropause. Our treatments are personalised to you, so you can quickly, and safely, get back to being you again.
“Many men are surprised to learn just how much changing hormone levels can affect how they feel emotionally. If you've noticed you're not yourself lately, feeling low, anxious, irritable, or simply lacking the energy and motivation you once had, it may be more than just stress or ageing. Getting checked and receiving the right treatment can make a real difference, helping men feel more like themselves again and improving both their mental wellbeing and overall quality of life." - Dr Joseph Libermann, Men’s Hormonal Health Specialist
How do we treat chronic fatigue at Marion Gluck Clinic?
When you book an appointment with our team at Marion Gluck Clinic, your doctor will take time to talk to you about your lifestyle, your medical history and any symptoms you’re experiencing. You will have a blood test to help our doctors see your hormone levels and work out the cause of your symptoms.
If your doctor believes you are experiencing a hormone imbalance, they will build a personalised treatment plan for testosterone replacement therapy. This helps restore the hormones lost through hormone conditions.
Get in touch
If you’re experiencing ongoing unexplained fatigue, our team of doctors can help. To book an appointment, please fill out our online consultation form or give us a call on 020 7191 2378.
