Andropause – the Male Menopause
It’s a well-documented medical fact that as you age your body’s production of hormones naturally declines. This decrease in hormone levels is part of the normal aging process and is most commonly referred to as menopause in women and andropause in men. We are all familiar with menopause, however andropause is now becoming a more commonly recognized and treatable condition affecting men of all ages.
As women age, their body begins to produce less estrogen and progesterone both suddenly and dramatically. For men, hormones decrease much more gradually. The symptoms that men experience evolve over longer period of time and have only recently become recognized by the medical community.
The hormone testosterone in men begins to decrease around age 30 and drops just 1 to 2 percent annually. Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is responsible for creating and releasing sperm, initiating sex drive and providing muscular strength.
A significant reduction in testosterone levels can cause a variety of uncomfortable ailments including decreased libido, loss of energy, fatigue, changes in attitudes and moods and decreased physical agility. While the affects can be quite pronounced, they evolve over a longer period of time again making it sometimes difficult to diagnose.
Are you suffering from Andropause?
- Do you feel run down or lack energy?
- Do you feel like your sex drive is lower than it once was?
- Do you have problems sleeping or sleep too much?
- Have you become more depressed, enjoy life less?
- Do you often feel tense, nervous or easily irritated?
- Have you gained weight, primarily in the abdomen?
- Do you feel not as mentally sharp as you once were?
- Is your hair thinning or are you loosing your hair?
- Do you get less or no morning erections when you awaken?
- Is it harder to maintain muscle mass even though you work out?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, chances are you are experiencing a drop in your hormone levels which causes many of these symptoms. You may be wondering what options are available.
Do men need treatment for Andropause?
Typically, men suffering from the symptoms of andropause are often treated for a specific medical condition. For example, an andropausal male may be diagnosed with depression and prescribed an antidepressant. However, if that man has other symptoms of male menopause such as loss of libido, the antidepressant will only exaggerate that problem.
In addition, men complaining of low libido and inability to maintain a strong erection are often misdiagnosed simply with erectile dysfunction.
Any one of these ailments can be problematic. In addition, testosterone builds bone, and low testosterone can lead to thinning of the bones or osteoporosis which can increase the risk of bone fractures. Studies also show that a low level of testosterone puts men at additional risk for heart disease.
When a male patient complains of symptoms that are causing a significant disturbance in his life, a doctor who suspects andropause will perform a blood testosterone test to determine the level of the male hormone (androgen) in the blood. Low testosterone is defined as less than 300 nanograms per deciliter of blood. The mean level for a 40 year old male is 500 nanongrams.
If a blood test confirms low testosterone levels, a doctor may prescribe a variety of treatments designed for that individual patient. These may include hormone replacement therapy, lifestyle changes such as exercise, a healthier diet, vitamins and herbal supplements, and the elimination of alcohol. Many patients can find relief and have significant improvement in their overall symptoms.
Andropause does not affect all men, and many may have varying degrees of severity. Anyone who suspects that their symptoms are a result of andropause and feel that their personal and/or professional life is somehow disrupted by these symptoms may want to consider seeking treatment.
Many men have found relief of their symptoms with the use of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.
