In times gone bye, when gender equality, transgenderism and gender neutrality were unheard of and when gender fluidity was just a figment of imagination, males had less stressors than our present day and age generation. Everywhere we look around us, especially on our small crammed island, there are a number of factors that give rise to stress. This list is a tentative and by no means exhausive:
- Traffic congestion
- Noise and light pollution
- Overcrowding (density of the population and buildings)
- Loss of the traditional family
- Confusion over gender issues
- Inflation and economic woes
- Lack of open recreational space and obliteration of green areas
The importance of cortisol
The ancient survival hormone in human males was cortisol. It triggered what is known as the "fight of flight" syndrome or respone to threats. Early humans were favourite breakfast, lunch and dinner for the savage predators that roamed the earth and it was through cortisol that humans were able to fight off savage predators with their rudimentary weapons.
Cortisol works amazingly when humans are faced with environmental threat. The adrinal glands pump out cortisol sending messages to the brain (the hypothalmus). This reaction causes all the other systems of the body (digestive, reproductive, immune, nervous and so on) to shut down. Shutting down these systems means that no testosterone can be produced. The body is truly a fascinating mechanism since this chemical reaction acts as a safety valve, allowing the brain to focus on defending itself from the environmental threat and hence its self-preservation.
Since primordial times, threats have radically changed but the cortisol, which induced the survival instinct, did not change. Nature's release of cortisol in the bloodstream was meant for short burts and for a short time (similar to firing a light machine gun). Up to that stage, it was not harmful.
Change in environmental threats
Since pre-historic times, our environmental threats have drastically changed. We live in comfortable homes equipped with cooling and heating. Cosiness and warmth are now taken-for-granted creature comforts. But cortisol has remained the same cortisol as that of our ancestors. This means that whenever stress strikes, the body will react in the same way as in those early days when the first humans roamed the earth. Such seemingly less stressful breed of stressors that feed on the human persona will cause the same effect as it caused on early humans.
- Caught in a long traffic tailback
- A family argument
- Stress about having less or no Facebook likes
- Giving a public speech
- Anxiety about current wars
It is also noted that as males pass from one stage of growth to another the build-up of cortisol increases over time. Hence, one would expect it to be higher at age 50 than at age 20. It is a recognised fact that stress increases over time, as family responsibilities, such as raising a child, marital troubles and other additional duties increase over the individual's life span.
Research on Testosterone Replacement Therapy
According to a paper published in 27 August 2014 in Sage journals titled Adverse effects of testosterone replacement therapy: an update on the evidence and controversy - Anthony Grech, John Breck, Joel Heidelbaugh, 2014 (sagepub.com), testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has been used in millions of men worldwide to treat diminished libido and erectile dysfunction and to improve strength and physical function. The estimated likelihood of adverse effects of long-term TRT is still essentially unknown, as overall high-quality evidence based upon prospective randomised trials to recommend for or against its use in most men with testosterone deficiency (TD) is lacking. Evidence to suggest that TRT increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality risks is poor, as results vary across study populations and their baseline comorbidities.
Effects of cortisol on muscle mass
Studies show that cortisol attacks muscle mass redering muscles weak. The energy that cortisol requires is taken from muscle tissue. It is no great wonder that many experience muscle loss and fatigue. Instead of muscle, cortisol contributes to fat stored in the belly. Fat, in itself is also a cortisol receptor acting as a magnet for more fat storing. This means that it would be more difficult to burn fat in the body since the cells become bigger. Also, the effects of the increase of cortisol on the male libido are disasterous with all-round decline in sex drive.
Thankfully, there are remedies to increase the testosterone levels naturally by increasing the intake of vitamin D and zinc in the diet, rather than using testosterone replacement therapies and risk adverse effects, especially when used long-term.
Apart from vitamins and the maintenance of a balanced diet, other natural methods include losing weight, staying active, reducing stress, reviewing any medications being taken and avoiding drug and alcohol abuse.