ANDROPAUSE
Andropause is a male related menopause that is marked by age-related changes in the male hormone levels.
- For a woman, menopause may mark the time when menstruation ends and she is unable to become pregnant. Her levels of female hormones, estrogen, and progesterone reduce in a relatively short period of time. In men, production of testosterone and other hormones declines over a period of many years- at about less than 2% a year after age 30 on an average.
- Testosterone is a hormone produced in the male testes responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics. It also contributes to the sex drive, it maintains muscle mass, regulates fertility, fat distribution, and red blood cell production.
- Not all men experience male menopause.
- A specialist in male infertility, Michael A. Werner provides that andropause occurs in 2-5% of men ages 40-49, rises to 6-30% in men ages 50-59, reaches 20-45% in men ages 60-69, and is found in up to 70% of men ages 70-79. Once men reach the 80s, andropause rates top 90%.
CAUSES
Andropause is caused by a gradual decrease in the level of testosterone in men. Testosterone levels decline with aging at about 1% per year.
Not all men experience the condition, it is believed that certain factors other than a change in the level of the hormone may contribute to the development of male menopause. These may include:
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Lack of exercise e
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Sleep deprivation
SYMPTOMS
- Decreased desire for sex
- Lack of energy
- depression
- Hot flashes
- Increased body fat especially around the abdomen and chest
- Dry and thin skin
- Moodiness and irritability
- Loss of muscle mass
- Excessive sweating
- Erectile dysfunction
- Infertility
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
Your doctor may ask you questions about how you feel to see if those symptoms match with those of people with low testosterone.
A blood test is then performed to check the level of testosterone in your blood.
Your doctor may order tests to rule out other medical conditions that may be contributing to your problem.
TREATMENT
The most common treatment option includes making healthier lifestyle choices especially for people who are obese. This habits may increase your overall health. Your doctor may suggest:
- Eat a healthy diet
- Get regular exercise
- Get enough sleep
- Reduce your stress
Your doctor will refer you to a psychologist who may prescribe antidepressants, behavioral therapy or both if you are experiencing depression.
Hormone replacement therapy is another treatment option, although the effectiveness of this treatment is not confirmed. For some men, it may reduce symptoms and for others, benefits are not certain and risk may be involved.
The possible risk with replacement therapy may include sleep apnea, stimulation of growth of prostate cancer, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke and contribute to the formation of blood clots in the veins.
Before making the decision to use the replacement therapy, both the negative and positive effects should be weighed together with your doctor.
Herbal supplements have not been proven safe and effective and some may be dangerous. Be careful of them.