What Is Andropause?

Andropause Treatment in Los Angeles

Andropause or “male menopause” is the decline of male hormonal function, most notably testosterone. It is the gradual but progressive hormonal decline in men which occurs with aging. Most men are affected, some to a larger degree than others. While some men continue to produce healthy levels of testosterone into their 70s and 80s, others experience symptoms of andropause as early as their mid-thirties. However, symptoms usually manifest themselves between the ages of 40 and 55. Testosterone levels peak in men at age 25 and decline 1 to 2 percent per year thereafter.

What Are Androgens?

Androgens refer to male-like hormones, although women also have androgens—but lower levels than men.  Andropause is also known as “male menopause” or PADAM – Partial Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male. The predominant male hormone, testosterone, peaks in men at age 25 and begins to decline thereafter.  By age 30, testosterone levels drop by about 10 percent every decade. By age seventy, most men have 30 to 50 percent less available testosterone than they had when they were young.

Andropause & Low Testosterone

Low testosterone has a number of negative effects on mental, sexual and physical health. The most common type of treatment for testosterone deficiency is known as testosterone replacement therapy. This can be an integral part of your andropause treatment plan depending on your blood panel results.

The Differences Between Andropause And Menopause

While women have a clear-cut sign of occurrence, the cessation of menstruation, to mark this transition, men typically have a slower and more subtle hormonal decline. Men and women experience many of the same symptoms during andropause and menopause, although symptoms of andropause are generally less intense and less noticeable. Frequently the changes which accompany andropause such as changes in attitude, mood, confidence, memory, energy level, sex drive, muscle strength, abdominal fat and physical agility are erroneously attributed to the stresses associated with middle age.

How Does Testosterone Affect Andropause?

Testosterone Is Critical For Every Aspect Of Life

Testosterone functions in numerous ways to keep the body maximally fit and healthy. It is an anabolic or building hormone that improves muscle mass, decreases abdominal fat and stimulates new bone formation. Testosterone is critical for optimal brain function because it bolsters mental sharpness, concentration, and memory. It enhances energy, flexibility, and mobility. Testosterone increases libido (sex drive), is a natural antidepressant, and helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. A normal testosterone level also helps protect against Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

What Affects Testosterone Levels?

As men age, testosterone decreases and estrogen increases. There are several reasons for this. First, testicular production of testosterone decreases with age, as noted above. Second, as men age, testosterone can be further diminished by conversion to estrogen. Third, the increased production of sex-binding globulins makes testosterone unusable. Importantly, not all estrogen in men is negative; small amounts are necessary to improve brain function, protect the heart, maintain strong bones, and increase male sex drive.

Other factors may contribute to testosterone deficiency. Mumps during childhood can affect testicular production of testosterone. Alcohol, stress, and obesity are associated with a decline in testosterone and an increase in estrogen. Many drugs affect the liver and reduce the amount of available testosterone, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, Tylenol, aspirin, statins, some heart and blood pressure medications, antidepressants, stomach acid blockers, and chemotherapy. As testosterone levels decline, typically there is a deterioration of both mental and physical health. The signs and symptoms of andropause vary from man to man and may be overlooked for years.

What Are The Most Common Signs And Symptoms Of Andropause:

Has Testosterone Replacement Therapy Been Linked to Prostate Cancer?

Testosterone has not been shown to cause prostate cancer. It is the elevated level of estrogen compared to testosterone that is a risk factor for both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. Restoration and optimization with bioidentical testosterone during andropause can relieve many of the above mentioned deficiency symptoms and considerably improve the quality of life in men. Bio-identical testosterone can also reduce the severity of coronary heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes. Because hormone needs differ from person to person a “one size fits all” approach will not work.

At Southern California Center for Anti-Aging, testosterone therapy for men is customized and based on symptoms, a physical exam and hormone test results.

Andropause Self-Questionnaire

How does Andropause treatment work?

A diagnosis of andropause is made based upon a patient’s history (symptoms), physical examination, and laboratory tests. Using a screening questionnaire can also be helpful. The most useful one is the ADAM Questionnaire, (Androgen Decline in the Aging Male).  Men answering “yes” to questions 1, 7 or a combination of any 4 or more may be candidates for testosterone replacement therapy.

ADAM Questionnaire

1.  Do you have decreased interest in sex (libido)?
2. Do you have lack of energy?
3. Do you have a decrease in strength and/or endurance?
4. Have you lost height?
5. Have you noticed a decrease in enjoyment of life?
6. Are you sad and/or grumpy?
7. Are your erections less strong?
8. Have you noticed a recent deterioration in your ability to play a sport you used to play well?
9. Are you falling asleep after dinner?
10. Has there been a recent deterioration in your work performance?

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