Category Archives: Andropause

Andropause or male menopause, sometimes colloquially called "man-opause," is a name that has been given, in some parts of the English-speaking world, to a set of effects that appears in some aging men, and which have some superficial similarities to menopause effects in women. Andropause may be related to the slow but steady reduction of the production of the hormones testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone in middle-aged men, and the consequences of that reduction. It is also associated with a decrease in Leydig cells. A steady decline in testosterone levels with age (in both men and women) is well documented. Unlike "menopause," the word "andropause" is currently not recognized by the World Health Organization and its ICD-10 medical classification. While the words are sometimes used interchangeably, hypogonadism is a deficiency state in which the hormone testosterone goes below the normal range for even an aging male. The impact of low levels of testosterone has been previously reported. In 1944, Heller and Myers identified symptoms of what they labeled the "male climacteric" including loss of libido and potency, nervousness, depression, impaired memory, the inability to concentrate, fatigue, insomnia, hot flushes, and sweating. Heller and Myers found that their subjects had lower than usual … Read more »

August 21st, 2013 Andropause is the technical term for the hormone imbalance all men will experience as they age. Commonly called male menopause, andropause typically begins to affect men between the ages of 35 and 40. In some cases, however, the testosterone deficiencies associated with andropause may occur in much younger men. Whatever your age, as a man you need testosterone to maintain energy and focus, to build lean muscle, to boost your sex drive, and to regulate your moods. In other words, the onset of andropause (and the drop in testosterone that goes with it) can have a big impact on the quality of your personal and professional life. In fact, upon entering andropause, many men say they just dont feel like themselves anymore. Andropause occurs as men get older, primarily because our glands slow down and stop producing adequate levels of hormone. The result is hormone imbalance. In particular, testosterone, thyroid and DHEA levels decline. Meanwhile, estrogen levels often increasenot a good thing for a man. The following are some of the more common symptoms of andropause: While testosterone decline is something that will happen to every man as he gets older, that doesnt mean we have to … Read more »

The Facts Testosterone is the hormone responsible for deep voices, muscle mass, and facial and body hair patterns found in males. As men get older, the level of testosterone in the body and production of sperm gradually becomes lower, and they experience physical and psychological symptoms as a result of these low levels. This is part of the natural aging process, and it is estimated that testosterone decreases about 10% every decade after men reach the age of 30. Andropause is a condition that is associated with the decrease in the male hormone testosterone. It is unlike menopause in that the reduction of testosterone and the development of symptoms is more gradual than what occurs in women. Approximately 30% of men in their 50s will experience symptoms of andropause caused by low testosterone levels. A person experiencing andropause may have some symptoms related to the condition and could be at risk of other severe health conditions such as osteoporosis without proper treatment. Health Tool Low Testosterone Treatment Options Compare the treatment options for low testosterone so you can find one that is best for you. The decrease in testosterone is an essential factor in men suspected of having andropause. However, … Read more »

Some men develop depression,loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction and other physical and emotional symptomswhen they reach their late 40s to early 50s. Other symptoms common in men this ageare: These symptoms can interfere with everyday life and happiness, so it's important tofind the underlying cause and work out what can be done to resolve it. The "male menopause" (sometimes called the "andropause") is an unhelpful term sometimes used in the media to explain the above symptoms. This label ismisleading because it suggests the symptoms are the result of a suddendrop in testosterone in middle age, similar to what occurs in the female menopause. This isn't true. Although testosterone levels fall as men age, the decline is steadyless than 2% a year from around the age of 30-40and this is unlikely to cause any problems in itself. A testosterone deficiency that develops later in life (also known as late-onset hypogonadism) can sometimesbe responsible for these symptoms, but in many cases the symptoms are nothing to do withhormones. Lifestyle factors or psychological problems are often responsible for many of the symptoms described above. For example,erectile dysfunction,loss of libidoandmood swingsmay bethe result of either: There are alsophysical causes of erectile dysfunction, such … Read more »

Recognizing low testosterone levels A blood test is the only way to diagnose a low testosterone level or a reduction in the bioavailability of testosterone. Some men have a lower than normal testosterone level without signs or symptoms. In this case, no treatment is needed. For others, low testosterone might cause: However, some of these signs and symptoms can be caused by underlying factors other than low testosterone, including medication side effects, thyroid problems, depression and excessive alcohol use. There are also conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea, that might affect testosterone levels. Once these conditions are identified and treated, testosterone typically will return to a normal level. If you are experiencing signs and symptoms that might be the result of a low testosterone level, consult your doctor. He or she can evaluate possible causes for the way you feel and explain treatment options. You can't boost your natural testosterone production, but these steps might help: Treating aging-related low testosterone with testosterone replacement therapy is controversial. For some men, testosterone therapy relieves bothersome signs and symptoms of testosterone deficiency. For others, however, the benefits aren't clear and there are possible risks. Testosterone replacement therapy might increase the risk of heart … Read more »

Andropause: Introduction A reduction in androgen levels in aging males. The condition is comparable to menopause in women with symptoms such as loss of libido, bone thinning, osteoporosis and sleeping difficulty - it is therefore also called male menopause. Testosterone levels usually start declining once a man reaches his 40's. ...more See full list of 9 symptoms of Andropause Read more about treatments for Andropause Home medical testing related to Andropause: Read more about Deaths and Andropause. Read more about causes of Andropause. Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Andropause: Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories: Alzheimer's disease over-diagnosed: The well-known disease of Alzheimer's disease is often over-diagnosed. Patients tend to assume that any...read more Dementia may be a drug interaction: A common scenario in aged care is for a patient to show mental decline to dementia. Whereas this can, of course, occur due to various medical conditions,...read more Tremor need not be Parkinson's disease: There is the tendency to believe that any tremor symptom, or shakiness, means Parkinson's disease. The reality is that there are various possibilities, such...read more Rare diseases misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease: A rare genetic disorder is often … Read more »

Andropause is an area of growing interest for physicians, researchers and of course men. The existence of Andropause is now recognized by the medical world - including the Canadian Andropause Society - and by Canadians alike. In fact, a recent Angus Reid survey found that 70% of the general public share the belief that men experience a mid-life stage similar to women's menopause. Andropause (also called "male menopause") is a normal part of aging; although, for some men it is accompanied by a gradual and undesired decline in their sexuality, mood and overall energy. Sometimes it can even expose men to more serious health risks. As with women, Andropause begins at a time when life often offers some of its greatest rewards. This site has been designed to arm you with actionable information about Andropause - what causes it and what you can do about it. And if you are going through Andropause, we hope this information will help you maintain a healthy and active quality of life throughout your middle-years. Between the ages of 40 and 80+, men can experience a clinical syndrome similar to the female menopause, called andropause. For men, unlike women, there isnt a clear-cut signpost … Read more »

The phenomena of the biological clock isnt exclusive to women, it seems men also are prone to age related changes in hormone levels, sexual function, physical features, and quality of life. These changes, dubbed andropause (and sometimes male menopause) are due to a progressive decrease in testosterone production. As men near middle age, the process speeds up and so may the frequency and effect of the symptoms. Common symptoms include fatigue, reduced muscle mass,erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, and even depression. How common is andropause? Baylor College of Medicine reports that at least 30% of men 60-70 years of age and 70% of men 70-80years of age have low testosterone levels. [1] Although the root cause of reduced testosterone availability isdecreased testicular function, pituitary problems may also be a factor. [2] While andropause is a fairly new term,the concept is not. In China, observations have been reported for over 50 years. [3] The symptoms of andropause include loss of energy, depression, sluggish libido, sexual dysfunction, decreasedmuscle mass and strength, increased body fat, and overall weakness. While the symptoms of andropause might sound like another word for aging, its important to note that low testosterone can produce effects far more serious … Read more »

Do men have a menopause? Declining levels of testosterone and DHEA are commonly seen in men beginning in the fourth decade of life. These anabolic hormones are particularly important in men, as they are the major players in maintaining both physical and mental health. For example, they increase energy and decrease fatigue; they help in maintaining erectile function and normal sex drive; and they increase the strength of all structural tissues in the skin, bones, and muscles, including the heart. Proper levels of androgens also help to prevent depression and mental fatigue. Yes, men do experience age-related changes in their hormone levels. This hormonal decline, referred to as andropause, often coincides with symptoms of aging in males. The term andropause, named after the male hormones known as androgens, is the counterpart to menopause in women when production of estrogens and progesterone by the ovaries begins to decline. But, the drop is more gradual in men than the hormonal roller coaster so often experienced by women during menopause. Stress management, exercise, proper nutrition, dietary supplements (particularly zinc and selenium), and androgen replacement therapy with physician guidance have all been shown to raise androgen levels in men and help to counter andropause … Read more »

What Does it All Mean? Andropause symptoms due to declining hormone levels are common in men as they age. The modern lifestyle of high stress levels and poor fitness and nutrition habits paired with an increased life expectancy have a substantial affect on the male body. With your hormone-producing glands being forced to work harder and longer, it is no wonder that hormones become imbalanced over time. In men, this hormone imbalance often has the biggest impact on testosterone and cortisol (the stress hormone). With testosterone and cortisol levels out of proper range, men experience a range ofandropause symptoms. The imbalance of even one hormone causes imbalance in other hormones and leads to a domino effect of sorts. Men may not experience all of the above andropause symptoms, but instead commonly experience a combination of symptoms. While these symptoms are signs of andropause, they may also be symptoms of other conditions like adrenal fatigue and poor thyroid health. Contrary to popular belief, none of the above male menopause symptomsare just signs of old age. These andropause symptoms may be correctable through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. It all starts with quick and simple testing that allows a expert anti-aging physician to … Read more »