Most people associate sleep with neurotransmitters such as melatonin and serotonin. But you would be surprised to know that there can be more to sleep than meets the eye.
You see, it appears that testosterone plays a factor in sleep.
Primarily, we know testosterone as a hormone found in both humans and animals. The testicles are the primary producers of testosterone in men. Women's ovaries produce testosterone as well, albeit in considerably smaller quantities.
But in a 2016 paper published in the journal Sleep medicine clinics, it's stated that sleep disturbances have been associated with reduced testosterone levels in both men and women. Reduced testosterone levels were associated with lower sleep efficiency, which is the percentage of time spent asleep when in bed, and higher night waking in a cohort study of over 1,300 men aged 65 and older.
Here are the other findings:
- Low testosterone levels may also worsen overall sleep quality.
- Lower serum testosterone levels correlate with increased obstructive sleep apnea severity.
So, why do people have low testosterone levels? There are many factors, but the most common ones are metabolic dysfunction, overweight, abdominal fat, and some health conditions.
All this highlights the relevance of hormonal imbalance. It can indeed affect the quality of a person's sleep.
In a previous blog, the importance of sufficient sleep is emphasized. You cannot get the hustle and bustle if you don't have adequate sleep. So, if you are having any unexplained difficulty in sleeping, it's worth checking out if you have a hormonal imbalance.
I urge you to consult with your doctor.
One short-term action would be bio-identical hormonal replacement therapy.
A long-term step would be to rethink your diet.
Work these out with your doctor to have the right amount of testosterone levels for a better night's sleep and better quality of life.
