A.What is andropause?
Called also "Midlife crisis" : this is often the transitional period for men when they experience what is termed as the second childhood. This period usually starts from age 40 to 45. It is also called andropause or male menopause because its symptoms coincide with the decrease in a class of male hormones called androgen. All men are affected, although some to
a larger degree than others. A thorough knowledge of the underlying hormonal and physiological changes will better prepare all males to deal with this phase of life. By the time men are between the ages of 40 and 55, they can experience a phenomenon similar to the female menopause, called Andropause. Unlike women, men do not have a clear-cut external signpost such as the cessation of menstruation to mark this transition. Both, however, are distinguished by a drop in hormone levels. Estrogen in the female, testosterone in the male. The bodily changes occur very gradually in men and may be accompanied by changes in attitudes and moods, fatigue, a loss of energy, sex drive and physical agility. What's more, studies show that this decline in testosterone can actually put one at risk of other health problems like heart disease and weak bones. Since all this happens at a time of life when many men begin to question their values, accomplishments and direction in life, it's often difficult to realize that the changes occurring are related to more than just external conditions.
Unlike menopause, which generally occurs in women during their mid-forties to mid-fifties, men's "transition" may be much more gradual and expand over many decades. Attitude, psychological stress, alcohol, injuries or surgery, medications, obesity and infections can contribute to its onset.
Although with age, a decline in testosterone levels will occur in virtually all men, there is no way of predicting who will experience Andropausal symptoms of sufficient severity to seek medical help. Neither is it predictable at what age symptoms will occur in a particular individual. Each man's symptoms may be also different.
Go to the top
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B.More information on andropause
What is andropause? - Andropause refers to a set of gradual physical and psychological changes that men generally go through beginning in middle age. Andropause is equivalent to the menopause that women over 45 suffer from.
What causes andropause? - Andropause is caused by lower levels of testosterone and its consequences as men age. After age 30, testosterone levels drop by about 10 percent every decade. Andropause is associated with low testosterone level. Every man experiences a decline of bioavailable testosterone but some men's levels dip lower than others. And when this happens, these men may experience andropause symptoms.
What're the symptoms of andropause? - Symptoms of andropause can vary from one man to the next. Symptoms of male Andropause may include lethargy or decreased energy, decreased libido or interest in sex, erectile dysfunction with loss of erections, muscle weakness and aches, inability to sleep, hot flashes, night sweats, depression, infertility and thinning of bones or bone loss.
What're the mechanism of andropause? - Numerous researches have been conducted to explore the mechanism that triggers the decreased testosterone production with age. The major factor in aging is the dysfunction of the male reproductive homeostat (hypothalamic - pituitary - testes axis), which leads to the progressive loss of hypothalamic sensitivity to the inhibitory effects of testosterone.
What're the treatment options for andropause? - Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) re-energizes the entire body, increases lean muscle mass, and reverses the fat accumulation and muscular atrophy characteristic of aging. The replenishment of growth hormone from a deficient state can lead to an improved sex life; skin tone and can help to balance other hormones in the body including testosterone, DHEA, melatonin, pregnenolone, and progesterone.
