The hormone testosterone is mainly thought of as the fuel for sexual desire in men. When you hear “low testosterone,” the first thing that may come to mind is reduced sexual desire or physical complications like erectile dysfunction.

But testosterone’s role in the body is more involved than simply getting you aroused. The hormone also plays a role in your state of mind, including how well your brain works. That’s why low testosterone has been linked with symptoms such as mood swings, increased stress, and depression.

“Low testosterone is a major source of mental health issues in men,” says Edward Levitan, MD, co-founder and chief executive officer of Visions HealthCare in Wellesley, Mass. “Cells in the brain have testosterone receptors that significantly affect mental health. Men with low testosterone can experience fatigue and commonly have mood swings,” he says. “It’s also one of the major causes of depression. Men experiencing this condition, sometimes called andropause or ‘male menopause,’ should see a doctor to discuss symptoms and treatment.”

The Low Testosterone-Mental Health Connection

How is it that testosterone can have such strong control over mental faculties? Experts aren’t exactly sure why, but they do know that it happens: In recent years, large scientific studies have noted a link between low testosterone and mood swings in men, low testosterone and stress, and low testosterone and depression.

For example, a study of more than 600 elderly Dutch men found a significant association between low testosterone and depression. The men in the study with low testosterone levels were more likely to also be dealing with symptoms of depression.

In addition, the symptoms of low testosterone can be emotionally distressing, which can create a downward spiral that can eventually lead to depression. “Low levels of testosterone can cause a cycle of a man having low energy, thus not exercising, then gaining weight and feeling less attractive,” says Michael A. Werner, MD, a board-certified urologist in private practice in the New York area.

Compounding your frustration, these low-testosterone-related issues can put a strain on your romantic relationship. Bat Sheva Marcus, PhD, MPH, founder and clinical director of the Medical Center for Female Sexuality, with offices in Westchester County and Long Island, N.Y., has worked with a number of couples sorting through relationship problems related to low testosterone. Dr. Marcus notes that if your sex life suffers, it may ultimately lead to problems for both partners, no matter how much you try to work on your relationship in other ways.

Tips for Boosting Mood

The good news for men when it comes to low testosterone and mood swings, as well as other emotional issues, is that these problems can be addressed and corrected through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Here’s what can help:

  • Examine your health habits. If you have low testosterone, chances are that obesity or inactivity is a contributing factor, Dr. Levitan explains. The first order of business, then, is to work on not only your low testosterone levels, but also on your overall lifestyle choices. “As with any mental health issue, it’s important to get plenty of sleep and make sure you get enough sunlight, either outside or with a natural light made for seasonal mood disorder,” Levitan says. “Exercise is extremely important, as is significantly decreasing the amount of carbohydrates and sugar in your diet. Excess sugar and carbohydrates have been shown to negatively affect mood, while exercise boosts it.”
  • Communicate with your partner. If issues with your significant other are contributing to your problems with low testosterone and stress or depression, make sure to include your partner in your quest to solve the problems. “Couples have to find new and innovative ways to connect, find physical pleasure, and realize that low testosterone is a treatable condition,” Levitan says. “Sex therapy or counseling may help the couple express their respective needs in a more open and healing environment. Because testosterone may not only affect the ability to get and maintain an erection, open and honest communication is important.”
  • Manage stress. The connection between low testosterone and stress is significant. “Another major cause of low testosterone levels is high stress levels,” Levitan says. “If you’re stressed and in constant fight-or-flight mode, your body is going to focus on handling the stress before it thinks of having sex.” And if stress is controlling your life, he says, it can be difficult to get a handle on the other emotional issues related to low testosterone.
  • Consider testosterone replacement therapy. Although all of the previous steps can help, Marcus says the best result often comes from treating low testosterone medically with testosterone replacement therapy. However, this therapy isn’t appropriate for everyone. Once your testosterone level itself begins to improve, she says, many of the other emotional and sexual problems begin to ressolve as well.