What is Male Menopause (Andropause)?

Male menopause, also known as andropause, is the result of a gradual decline in testosterone levels.

Testosterone is an important hormone that helps the male body produce blood cells.

It also regulates liver and prostate function and is essential for men to achieve an erection.

Typically, testosterone levels begin to drop when a man enters his 30’s, and continues to decline at a rate of about one to two percent a year. Decreasing levels of testosterone can affect the body in many ways. A recent study by the US Census Bureau tells us that about 4.5 million American men have symptoms of low testosterone.

Here are some of the symptoms of low testosterone brought about by male menopause.

• Erectile dysfunction
• Night sweats
• Muscle loss
• Depression
• Loss or decrease in libido
• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Irritability

Most men do not experience all of the symptoms of andropause, but rather a combination of symptoms.

These symptoms can strongly resemble other diseases or disorders such as a thyroid disease, prostate cancer or clinical depression, making diagnosis and treatment problematic. A doctor may recognize symptoms of depression in a patient and prescribe an antidepressant. However if that patient suffers from low testosterone as the root of the disorder, an antidepressant can actually accelerate the loss of testosterone. Symptoms of male menopause can also be associated with stress levels, nutrition and fitness habits and environmental factors.

Historically, male menopause was commonly under-diagnosed and under-treated, but that’s changed.  Education on the issue, and the availability of specialists such as the doctors at American Male Medical Clinics, have brought about that change.

Treatments such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) have proven very effective in treating this disorder.

Men taking testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) have experienced the following benefits:

• Higher energy levels
• Increased sexual desire (libido)
• Lower body fat
• Improved mental clarity
• Elevated moods
• Better sleep pattern

And many others.

Feel like you’re running low, not hitting on all cylinders? You don’t have to.

Talk to the doctors at AMMC today if you are concerned about andropause and want to learn more.