Nrs Oke Ololade
Last week, I wrote about menopause in women and since then, it has generated a lot of debate amongst the men-folks who feel they are being left behind. It is on this backdrop that I chose to talk about andropause. Yes, there is menopause for men, and it is called ANDROPAUSE.
Andropause is a condition that is associated with the decrease in the male hormone testosterone. It is unlike menopause in that the decrease in 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 a number of symptoms related to the condition and could be at risk of other serious health conditions such as osteoporosis without proper treatment.
Wandering what testosterone is? 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.
Some men develop depression, loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other physical and emotional symptoms when they reach their late 40s to early 50s.
Other symptoms common in men this age are:
- mood swings and irritability
- loss of muscle mass and reduced ability to exercise
- fat redistribution, such as developing a large belly or “man boobs” (gynaecomastia)
- a general lack of enthusiasm or energy
- difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or increased tiredness
- poor concentration and short-term memory
These symptoms can interfere with everyday life and happiness, so it’s important to find the underlying cause and work out what can be done to resolve it.
Women may not be the only ones who suffer the effects of changing hormones. Some doctors are noticing that men are reporting some of the same symptoms that women experience in perimenopause and menopause
The medical community is debating whether or not men really do go through a well-defined menopause as their testosterone levels decline. Doctors say that men receiving hormone therapy with testosterone have reported relief of some of the symptoms associated with so-called male menopause.
Because men do not go through a well-defined period referred to as menopause, some doctors refer to this problem as androgen (testosterone) decline in the aging male — or what some people call low testosterone. It is normal for men to experience a decline in the production of the male hormone testosterone with aging, but this also occurs with conditions such as diabetes.
Along with the decline in testosterone, some men experience symptoms that include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Depression
- Sexual problems
The relationship of these symptoms to decreased testosterone levels is still controversial.
Unlike menopause in women, when hormone production stops completely, testosterone decline in men is a slower process. The testes, unlike the ovaries, do not run out of the substance it needs to make testosterone. A healthy man may be able to make sperm well into his 80s or later.
However, as a result of disease, subtle changes in the function of the testes may occur as early as age 45 to 50 and more dramatically after the age of 70 in some men.
How Is Male Menopause Diagnosed?
To make the diagnosis of male “menopause,” the doctor will:
- Perform a physical exam
- Ask about symptoms
- Order tests to rule out medical problems that may be contributing to the condition
- Order blood tests, which may include measuring testosterone level
Can Male Menopause Be Treated?
If testosterone levels are low, testosterone replacement therapy may help relieve symptoms such as:
- Loss of interest in sex (decreased libido)
- Depression
- Fatigue
Just as with hormone replacement therapy in women, testosterone replacement therapy has potential risks and side effects. Replacing testosterone may worsen prostate cancer and increase the risk of heart disease, for example.
If you are considering androgen replacement therapy, talk to a doctor to learn more. Your doctor may also recommend certain lifestyle or other changes to help with some symptoms of male menopause. These include:
- Diet
- Exercise program
- Medications, such as an antidepressant
- When coupled with sound nutrition and exercise, however, hormone replacement therapy becomes a powerful treatment with benefits transcending into the physical and emotional domain, too. Improved muscle strength, physical function, lean body mass, and mood are just some of the positive changes that targeted treatment can achieve.
- It’s important to emphasize, however, that treatments must always be based on an individual needs analysis. Age management specialists will discuss a number of treatment strategies regarding the use of bioidentical hormones, but these must be carefully considered by both the physician and the patient. Moreover, individualized dietary changes and exercise plans should be provided if the goal is to improve overall vitality, not just improvements in the sexual domain.
Andropause symptoms are unique to each patient, and each patient likewise has their own individual set of pre-existing health factors to consider, it’s critical for men to work with experienced age management professionals when seeking treatment for low testosterone. More importantly, comprehensive monitoring must be performed to ensure the patient’s progress is aligning with treatment goals and that biomarkers are within appropriate values.