時尚雙語:經濟危機影響男性性激素水平

Recession harms fertility

Men's testosterone levels could be harmed by stress caused by the global economic downturn, according to a British doctor.

Chronic stress caused by redundancy, financial worries or working longer hours could make levels of the hormone drop, says Richard Petty, the medical director of a top London men's health clinic.

Testosterone, the hormone produced by the testicles, triggers the development of male sexual characteristics. It is linked to sexual function, circulation and muscle mass, as well as concentration, mood and memory.

"When a man becomes grumpy or irritable, it's easy to blame work or simply the effects of aging," says Petty.

"In the short-term, stress can increase levels of testosterone and this is useful in helping people respond quickly to pressures and new situations.

"But chronic stress, which is ongoing, is a major factor in the decline of testosterone.

"Chronic stress occurs all too frequently due to our modern lifestyles, when everything from high-pressured jobs to unemployment keeps the body in a state of perceived threat."

Petty advises men to reduce their stress levels as much as possible by resting, eating healthily and exercising.

英國一名醫生日前稱，全球經濟衰退所致的壓力會導致男性雄性激素水平降低。

倫敦一家著名男性健康診所的內科主任理查德•佩蒂稱，裁員、對經濟狀況的擔憂或工作時間延長所造成的持續性壓力會導致激素水平下降。

由睾丸分泌的雄性激素能夠促進男性性特徵發育，它與性功能、血液循環、肌肉、注意力、情緒以及記憶力都有關。

佩蒂說：“當男人變得暴躁或易怒時，我們往往把原因歸咎於工作或僅僅是年齡大了。”

“從短期看，壓力會使雄性激素水平上升，這有助於人們更迅速地應對壓力和適應新環境。”

“但持續的壓力則是導致雄性激素水平下降的主要因素。”

“受現代生活方式的影響，持續性的壓力頻繁發生，無論是壓力過大的工作，還是失業，都會讓人的身體處於一種恐慌的狀態。”

佩蒂建議，男性應儘可能地通過休息、健康飲食和鍛鍊來減輕壓力。