ANDROPAUSE ( MALE MENOPAUSE )
What You Should Know About
ANDROPAUSE ( MALE MENOPAUSE )
By Dr . Donna Barsky
Most everyone is familiar with the term menopause , which refers to the end of a woman ’ s reproductive years . What some people don ’ t know is that men also go through a similar transition , known as andropause or male menopause , during their later years . In both cases , the transition is associated with hormone deficiencies and tends to coincide with other age-related declines . Fortunately , appropriate hormone treatment generally provides symptom relief , and also tends to delay other age-related illnesses or conditions .
Definition : Andropause is not considered to be a disease , nor is it the same as the “ mid-life crisis ” some men exhibit as they age . Most mid-life crises occur 10-20 years before andropause and may be indicative of the beginning of the decline , similar to symptoms of pre- or perimenopause in women .
The existence of andropause has been debated for years , but has recently gained recognition as a very real physiological state of hormone deficiency . Yet there is still controversy over an exact definition . Some practitioners define andropause as the inability to have a penile erection ; others associate it with a marked decline in hormone levels . What most agree on is that andropause is the result of a very gradual , age-related decline in hormones such as testosterone , DHEA , and others .
Between the ages of 25 and 50 , men ’ s testosterone levels tend to decrease by approximately 10 % per decade , yielding over a 50 % reduction by the time they reach their 60s . Because it is such a slow decline and men ’ s responses to it vary widely , andropause is difficult to detect . The fact that men generally do not discuss symptoms as readily as women
also makes it more difficult to diagnose .
During this period of testosterone decline , men ’ s estrogen hormone levels tent to increase by almost 50 %, drastically altering their hormone balance . This change in the ratio may help explain why many men begin to feel more family-oriented and nurturing as they age .
Factors that accelerate the decline of hormones such as testosterone and DHEA include : * excessive weight , especially abdominal obesity , * illness , disease , or other stressful events , * tobacco consumption , drug or alcohol abuse , * depression or mental illness , * reduced sexual activity .
Common Symptoms : Similar to menopause , the effects of andropause are not uniform –– each man ’ s response to it is unique . That said , there are commonly reported symptoms , many of which are considered part of the “ normal ” aging process , but which are also accelerated by a testosterone deficiency .
Symptoms of testosterone deficiency tend to fall into one of four categories : physical , cardiovascular , mental , or sexual , with some of them overlapping . For example : feeling too weak or tired to engage in sex could be related to impaired cardiovascular health , feelings of insecurity , and decreased libido , all of which may be related to a testosterone deficiency .
Physical symptoms include : Decreased muscle mass , with increased body fat ; balding head ; reduced body hair , especially armpits and genital area ; reduced strength and stamina ; feeling weak or tired ; decreased testicle size ; enlarged prostate ; urinary discomfort and / or difficulties .
Cardiovascular symptoms include : Increased abdominal fat , increasing risk of heart attack ; increased insulin , cholesterol , and triglyceride levels ; elevated blood pressure ; diminished coronary artery elasticity ; weakening of the heart muscle .
Mental symptoms include : Moodiness , irritability , insecurity ; Inner unrest ; lack of concentration ; memory failures ; reduced intellect and critical thinking .
Sexual symptoms include : Decreased sex drive and arousal ; reduced organ sensitivity or pleasure ; fewer orgasms ; erectile dysfunction .
One of the most troubling symptoms men encounter as they age is an enlarged prostate . The prostate gland goes through a second growth spurt as men reach their 40s , 50s or 60s , often resulting in benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH ). As the prostate grows , it pushes on the bladder and urethra , causing mild to severe urinary discomfort such as increased frequency of urination , especially at night ; difficulty initiating urination ; decreased urinary
26 DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | MARCH / APRIL 2017