Andropause – Low Testosterone :: Department of Urology

Are Your Experiencing Low Testosterone?

Most people are aware of the physical and hormonal changes that take place in women during menopause (the end of menstruation and fertility). The less frequently discussed issue of andropause in men is equally common, but many are unaware of the symptoms associated with this condition, as well as the treatment options available to make these changes easier to live with. Click here to see the brochure.

As men age, many will experience andropause, also known as low testosterone or ADAM (Androgen Deficiency of the Aging Male). Unlike women, who experience a significant drop in estrogen during menopause, the onset of andropause is generally more gradual and affects men in a variety of different ways.

This was discussed in a recent article in the Columbus Dispatch.

Television, magazine and Internet ads promise middle-age men more energy, a flatter stomach and an improved sex drive. They tell men that they might have something called low T, what some even call male menopause. And they say that all those men need is a little testosterone boost. But is that really what they need? The commercial sounds fantastic, said Dr. Gregory Lowe, a urologist and male infertility and mens sexual-health expert at Ohio State Universitys Wexner Medical Center. But he added, Its not the rejuvenation most men expect. As men get older, their testosterone levels gradually decrease typically about 1 percent a year after age 30.

Symptoms of Andropause

Irritability or moodiness Difficulty concentrating Low energy or fatigue Low sex drive Erection problems Increased fat deposition Trouble recovering from exercise Hair loss

Most men diagnosed with andropause experience a low sex drive accompanied by one or more of the other symptoms listed above. As soon as symptoms become bothersome, it is important to seek medical treatment. If testosterone levels drop too low, you have an increased chance of developing heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis (bone loss).

Treatment

The most common treatment for andropause is testosterone replacement therapy. Your physician will consider the symptoms you have been experiencing and identify how your testosterone levels fluctuate throughout a given day. Using this information, your physician will create a treatment plan specific to your situation.

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Andropause - Low Testosterone :: Department of Urology

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