Andropause, the Male Menopause
The andropause years are certainly not considered the best by any man. While not as severe as menopause, the male version is lengthier- it usually lasts 15 to 20 years. And it does take quite a toll on strength, energy, vigor and sexual function.
Andropause is due to hypogonadism - low testosterone levels. Andropause, the word, appeared in the literature in 1952 and is defined at the "natural cessation of the sexual function in older men." Andropause also refers to sexual regression in men over 40 due to dropping male hormone levels.
Endocrinologically, the difference between the hypogonadal man and the post-menopausal hypogonadal woman is not very great. Neither has adequate levels of androgens or estrogens and they both can be expected to show similar tendencies; i.e., hypogonadal men also tend to have frequent MI's and bone fractures from osteoporosis. There is current evidence of a protective effect of testosterone against both heart attacks and bone fractures.
The loss of sexual drive is one of the first changes most people notice with "aging". This decreased libido and failure to awaken with erections is the foreboding of the "impotence experienced by hypogonadal men". Women too experience a lessening of their desire but usually this does not occur until their testosterone levels drop below normal if they have their ovaries removed.
Unfortunately, in men, impotence tends to be accompanied in most not by frustrated sexual urges or complaints of frustration but rather by "passivity" according to Dr. Conrad Swartz. More than half of the healthy men over age 70 whom he surveyed showed morning serum testosterone levels at or below 300 ng/dl, the customary threshold of hypogonadism. (Ref.1). At this level men do not have erections in their sleep nor in the early mornings. Passivity in men soon leads to lack of interest in business, sex, sports or visual sexual stimulation.
Signs and Symptoms
- Weakness
- Reduced Libido
- Atherosclerosis
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Low Sperm Counts
- Reduced Muscle Mass
- Reduced Cognitive Function
- Fatigue
- Osteoporosis
- Irritability
- Disturbed Sleep
- Heart Disease
- Insomnia
- Prostate Problems
- Anxiety
- Impaired Blood Cell Formation
- Slow Wound Healing
- Depression
- Memory impairment
Treatment
In most cases there is a simple, effective and painless treatment. It is called hormone replacement therapy.
Goals of Testosterone Therapy
- Improvement in psychological well-being and mood
- Improvement in erectile dysfunction
- Improvement in libido
- Increased muscle mass
- Increased strength and stature
- Preservation of bone mass
- Decrease in Cardiovascular risk
