How Low Testosterone Levels Affect Your Mental Health

Published: 2025-07-09

Updated: 2025-07-09

4 mins

You may hear testosterone referred to as the “primary male sex hormone,” but it also plays a major role in your overall health. Testosterone levels tend to be the highest during puberty for a young boy and gradually decrease with age. Testosterone helps support bone strength, metabolism, and muscle mass. 

While low testosterone levels do not cause health conditions like type 2 diabetes, the two are often correlated. Still, low testosterone levels don’t always result in noticeable symptoms. Most of the time, a lack of symptoms means that low testosterone levels are not negatively affecting your health. 

However, when low testosterone levels are present along with symptoms like muscle decline and fatigue, a healthcare provider may suggest looking further into your hormonal health. Certain physical symptoms associated with low testosterone, like low libido, may also affect your mental health.

What Causes Low Testosterone?

Low testosterone levels (also referred to as hypogonadism) can occur at any age for various reasons. Hypogonadism is the production of little to no gonads (primary reproductive organs), potentially reducing testosterone levels in men. 

It’s common for men to experience lower testosterone levels while having certain health conditions, after an accident, or after getting a prostate cancer diagnosis. 

The following are potential scenarios where a man may experience low testosterone levels:

• Taking certain medications

• Having thyroid complications

• Having obesity

• Receiving chemotherapy

• Getting treatment for testicular cancer

Generally, testosterone levels naturally decline slowly as men age. Health experts have found that testosterone levels begin declining around the mid-thirties in men and continue to go down over time. Referred to as andropause, low testosterone levels can show up as a decline in libido and trouble sleeping in older men. However, some health experts don’t see andropause as an accurate description of the changes that occur as a man ages.

Mental Health Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Low testosterone levels may affect some more than others mentally. Hormonal imbalances can potentially affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Dopamine and other neurotransmitters play a major role in mood regulation. 

Older men may experience a loss of memory while having low testosterone levels. However, the chances of this occurring because of low testosterone levels are low. Health experts still need to conduct more research on the connection between testosterone levels and cognitive ability. 

On the other hand, health experts have found that high testosterone levels may lead to an increased risk of fatigue and antisocial behavior. Some studies suggest that low testosterone levels may be more prevalent in men with anxiety as well.

The risk of experiencing mood swings and low testosterone levels is higher for men who have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. Symptoms like brain fog are more common as men age and have lower testosterone levels. However, the direct relationship between brain fog and low testosterone levels still needs more research.

Can Low Testosterone Cause Depression?

Depression and other mental health conditions have long been associated with hormonal imbalances. Health experts have found that low testosterone may be associated with your risk of developing depression. Low testosterone levels may increase the intensity of depression and anxiety symptoms. 

Studies concluded that young boys with lower levels of testosterone were more likely to experience depressive symptoms. Still, more research is needed on the relationship between the two.

Can You Treat Low Testosterone Levels?

It’s normal for testosterone levels to fluctuate throughout your life. Low testosterone levels are associated with health conditions, but are not one in itself. A healthcare provider can help you manage health conditions often associated with low testosterone levels. A blood test can tell a healthcare provider more about your hormonal health.

TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) is a treatment that restores low testosterone levels by increasing testosterone levels in the body. There are several methods for TRT, including gels, injections, and oral medications. Testosterone replacement therapy is one way to improve energy levels, cognitive function, and sexual libido in men.

How Does Testosterone Treatment Affect Your Mental Health?

Most of the time, low testosterone levels don’t require treatment unless you have hypogonadism. Depression, irritability, and trouble concentrating are potential symptoms of hypogonadism that may correlate with low testosterone levels. 

Health experts have found that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may help improve mood. However, more research from larger studies is still needed. 

Men who experience a low libido along with low testosterone levels may experience the following symptoms:

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Irritability

Experiencing fatigue as you get older may also increase your chances of experiencing emotional distress. While emotional and mental health is not discussed enough in men’s health spaces, having the courage to reach out for help can be the first step to finding relief. 

Telehealth platforms like LifeMD can provide you with access to licensed healthcare professionals who can help you better understand how to manage mental health conditions at any stage in your life. If appropriate, a LifeMD-affiliated healthcare provider can also prescribe medications to help you manage mental health symptoms.

How Rex MD Can Help

It’s possible that TRT can also play a key role in a treatment plan to balance testosterone levels. Rex MD provides access to TRT for men who want to alleviate symptoms of low testosterone, such as fatigue, low libido, depression, and a loss in muscle mass, when medically appropriate. With Rex MD, all you have to do is fill out a short questionnaire evaluated by a licensed healthcare provider to know if you qualify for TRT. 

Get started today with improving your hormonal health.