Category Archives: Andropause

Andropause or male menopause,[1] 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.[2] It is also associated with a decrease in Leydig cells.[3] A steady decline in testosterone levels with age (in both men and women) is well documented.[4] 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[5] 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 »

Testosterone Replacement Therapy is a highly effective hormone treatment designed to restore Testosterone Levels in patients suffering from Low-T and Andropause. One issue with Testosterone Treatments as they exist today is that each form of therapy has its own distinct drawbacks. Common forms of treatment involve Testosterone Patches, Testosterone Gels, Testosterone Implants, and Testosterone Injections Low-T Patch Drawbacks – Transdermal Patches have to adhere to the skin 22-24 hours per day. Some people don't like the appearance of these patches, and a small portion of patients develop irritation as a result of the patches. These patches also have issues when submerged in water. Low-T Gel Drawbacks – Gel and Cream Testosterone come with the risk of transference if someone makes physical contact with the area where the treatment is administered, in the hours following application. These treatments also wash off when exposed to water in the first few hours, reducing the effectiveness of treatment in that case. Low-T Implant Drawbacks – Testosterone Pellets provide a 3-5 month dose of Testosterone, but must be surgically implanted in an outpatient procedure. Furthermore, there is a small risk of infection and a slightly more significant risk that the pellets will dislodge from the … Read more »

High Cholesterol is one of the leading risk factors associated with poor heart health and increased mortality rate from conditions associated with the heart and the cardiovascular system. The quickest way to get dangerously high cholesterol levels under control quickly is through the use of Statin Drugs and similar medications, but for patients that are looking to prevent their cholesterol levels from reaching a problematic, dangerous level, there are a number of steps that you can take to keep your cholesterol under control. Also, even if you do currently take drugs to control your Cholesterol, it's still heavily in your favor as a patient to make strong efforts to improve your natural cholesterol balance, not only to limit your need for Cholesterol Medications, but also because these same steps can significantly improve your health in a variety of ways. Lose Weight to Control Cholesterol The food that you eat and the bodyfat that you carry play a major, central role in your underlying cholesterol levels. If you lose weight, you help get your cholesterol in check more effectively. If you eat less of the foods associated with elevated cholesterol, you'll also improve your Cholesterol balance. A little lost weight can … Read more »

Testosterone Deficiency has a big impact on male health, and, like most hormonal deficiencies, Low-T leads to a full spectrum of related symptoms. Among the most well-known signs of Testosterone Deficiency are low sex drive, fatigue, and depression. These aren't the only symptoms, however, and knowing a greater range of symptoms can help you recognize your need for treatment more quickly. Andropause not only affects sex, energy levels, and psychological well-being, but it can also impacts body fat distribution, cognitive health, cardiovascular health, and the strength of your bones. If you feel that Testosterone Deficiency may be suppressing your ability to live and enjoy your life, it is simple and easy to get tested for Low-T. A physical and blood test provide all of the information needed to assess your Testosterone Levels. Let's discuss some of the less well-recognized symptoms of Low-T. Testosterone Deficiency Saps Bone Density One of the most insidious symptoms of Low-T is that it reduces your bone mineral density, putting you more at risk for Osteoporosis, bone fractures, and breaks. Less Testosterone leads directly to weaker bones. The scary thing about this is that Osteoporosis isn't easily diagnosed until you actually break a bone. Studies have … Read more »

Andropause is a hormonal condition that impacts men as they grow older, caused by natural changes in hormone balance that are inevitably associated with aging. This change in hormone production can lead to psychological, sexual, and physical changes which inhibit health, suppress vitality, and increase the risk of a variety of conditions that can impair health and wellness. In the past, it was assumed that these physiological changes were strictly due to aging, but the more that doctors research male aging, the more that they discover is actually associated with hormone imbalance and the more it seems possible to alleviate those symptoms effectively with Testosterone Therapy. Andropause goes by a number of different names. It belongs to a subset of conditions known as Male Hypogonadism, but it is also referred to as Androgen Decline in the Aging Male and Late-Onset Hypogonadism. Not all men experience significant changes as a direct result of Andropause, and produce levels of Testosterone that are in the normal range for their entire life. Other men will experience these symptoms relatively early, even in the thirties in many cases! You'll sometimes hear Andropause called the Male Menopause, but this isn't necessarily accurate. Menopause is a sudden … Read more »

Hypogonadism is the term for any condition which causes sex hormones to be produced at levels which are inadequate for normal and healthy function. In males, Hypogonadism is also known as Low-T or Testosterone Deficiency. Dependent upon the age at which Hypogonadism becomes a health issue, the symptoms can be dramatically different. Healthy sex hormone production is absolutely necessary for the development of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty, and if Testosterone or Estrogen Levels are too low, this can lead to delayed puberty or underdevelopment. In adulthood, Hypogonadism affects physiological function rather than development. Testosterone is vitally important to both health and sexual function in men. In women, Estrogen is necessary for the menstrual cycle and normal fertility. In both sexes, Testosterone is directly associated with sexual desire and performance. If a man doesn't produce enough Testosterone, libido suffers, erectile function diminishes, and fertility falls dramatially. Treatments options for Hypogonadism depend on the underlying cause of Sex Hormone Deficiency, but usually revolve around effective use of Testosterone Replacement Therapy or Clomiphene Citrate. Primary Hypogonadism in Men In men, Primary Hypogonadism is a condition in which the testes are unable to adequately produce Testosterone in order to meet the physiological requirements … Read more »

As Americans become more informed, they quickly recognize the health risks related to andropause and testosterone deficiency. Andropause is the time in a guy's life where he no longer produces enough testosterone to meet the body's needs. Though andropause is the most common type of hypogonadism, the condition can result from some different causes. For example, many men lack the means to release sufficient testosterone from birth. Others lose their ability to make enough testosterone because of cancer, radiation, trauma, or other circumstances. For these patients, direct testosterone replacement is the only adequate means to treat low-t. For most patients, however, there is another option available — clomiphene citrate. Clomiphene citrate is now available for a generic prescription but was initially prescribed by the brand names Clomid and Serophene. Treating Andropause with Clomiphene Citrate Most men think that low-t is the direct result of the body's inability to produce its own testosterone. The truth is that, in fact, most males retain the ability to create their own testosterone throughout their entire lives — given the appropriate and adequate stimulation. Andropause is a form of secondary hypogonadism, meaning that the testes still work just fine, they don't receive enough upstream signaling … Read more »

Aging men have to worry about a lot of things — raising kids, maintaining their careers, and staying healthy. It's a lot of work. They also have to worry about pleasing their significant other. Sexual satisfaction plays a massive role in the quality of life, and it's during middle age when sexual desire and ability begin to wane. Testosterone deficiency is mostly to blame. There are many ways in which our bodies work against us as we grow older. Hormone imbalance is one of the many issues that compromise our ability to make the most of our lives as we age. For men, one of the most frustrating age-related hormonal conditions is andropause. What is Andropause? Andropause is the medical terminology for age-associated testosterone deficiency, frequently referred to just as low-t. The majority of men don't experience issues related to testosterone deficiency until they reach their forties or fifties, though some guys may experience these problems as early as thirty if they maintain an unhealthy lifestyle. Alcoholism, obesity, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle all suppress testosterone activity, for example. Even the healthiest of men can experience symptoms of andropause eventually, however. The Rate of Testosterone Decline in Aging Men This … Read more »