Are you a man between the ages of 35 and 65, suffering irritability & grumpiness, loss of energy, depression, lack of motivation, decrease in libido & sexual performance, tired all the time, and can’t get rid of that “spare tire”?
By the time men are between the ages of 35 and 65, they can experience a phenomenon similar to the female menopause, called Andropause. Just as the sex hormones, decline in women over time leading to menopause, so too, aging in men leads to the gradual and steady decline in testosterone.
Andropause has gone through a long period where it was under diagnosed and under treated. As with any biological change that occurs gradually rather than abruptly, the age-related decline in testosterone often goes unnoticed until a critical point is reached. One of the reasons Andropause has been under diagnosed is that the symptoms are vague and can vary a lot among individuals. Most men have a difficult time even admitting that there is a problem.
As men age, their testosterone levels decline but does not stop completely. By the time a man reaches 40, his testosterone will be approximately ½ what it was in his twenties. When a man reaches 50 years old, his testosterone levels will be 1/3 of their peak; at 60 it will be a ¼ or less of their peak. The signs and symptoms of testosterone decline are;
- Loss of muscle mass and strength
- Erection difficulties
- Decreased libido
- Increased fat around the waist
- Diminished stamina
- Loss of energy
- Lack of motivation
- Joint pain
- Depression
- Irritability
- Grumpiness
- Hypochondriacal
- Memory Loss
- Withdrawn behavior
- Backache
- Lack of endurance
- Muscle stiffness
- Increase in risk for cardiovascular disease
- Increase risk for diabetes Inability to lose weight
There is a natural decline in testicular function with age which is associated with a concomitant decline in testosterone. This decline in testosterone, along with other hormones, is the prelude to the degenerative diseases which will afflict men as they age, such as, heart disease, arthritis, obesity, high blood pressure, adult onset diabetes and cancer.
The diagnosis of Andropause can be made based upon the patient’s age and clinical symptoms. The diagnosis can easily be confirmed by an exam and obtaining blood lab tests. Testosterone can be supplemented with bio-identical replacement therapy using creams, gels, patches, and injections. However, Andropause isn't just about the treatment in declining testosterone. Growth hormone and hCG are also utilized when indicated, as well as other hormones. There are many contributors to Andropause, and treatment takes on a multi-modal approach utilizing; lifestyle, pharmaceutical grade nutraceutical, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, stress management, exercise and nutrition.
Testosterone isn’t just a “sex” hormone; it affects every cell in the body and should be seen as a “total body” hormone. With testosterone therapy, one’s attitude improves, reinforcing self-esteem and self confidence, as well as increased energy and motivation. Most men will feel more vigorous, experience improved energy levels, mood, concentration, cognition, increased libido and sexual performance, with an overall sense of well-being. These effects are usually noted within 3 to 6 weeks of testosterone replacement therapy, generally leading to improved health and greater quality of life.
Do you have symptoms of Andropause? Take the male questionnaire and find out how many symptoms of low testosterone you may have.