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

Chronic¹ stress caused by redundancy, financial worries or working longer hours could make levels of the hormone² 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 irritable³, 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 helping⁴ people respond quickly to pressures and new situations.

"But chronic stress, which is ongoing⁵, 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.

英国一名医生日前称，全球经济衰退所致的压力会导致男性雄性激素水平降低。

伦敦一家著名男性健康诊所的内科主任理查德•佩蒂称，裁员、对经济状况的担忧或工作时间延长所造成的持续性压力会导致激素水平下降。

由睾丸分泌的雄性激素能够促进男性性特征发育，它与性功能、血液循环、肌肉、注意力、情绪以及记忆力都有关。

佩蒂说：“当男人变得暴躁或易怒时，我们往往把原因归咎于工作或仅仅是年龄大了。”

“从短期看，压力会使雄性激素水平上升，这有助于人们更迅速地应对压力和适应新环境。”

“但持续的压力则是导致雄性激素水平下降的主要因素。”

“受现代生活方式的影响，持续性的压力频繁发生，无论是压力过大的工作，还是失业，都会让人的身体处于一种恐慌的状态。”

佩蒂建议，男性应尽可能地通过休息、健康饮食和锻炼来减轻压力。