Learn about Andropause

Over the years we have heard about women who suffer from menopause- and it is viewed as a natural cycle of life. Just recently, we have been hearing about how men too suffer from a very similar cycle of life that has never really been discussed until now. When men are between the ages of 40 and 55, they may experience an unusual phenomenon similar to female menopause, called andropause. Both menopause and andropause are marked by a relative drop in hormonal levels in the body, for men it is a drop in testosterone. Changes occur gradually over time in men and may be accompanied by changes in overall outlook, fatigue, energy loss, sex drive and physical agility.

The out of the ordinary aspect of the condition is that the decline in testosterone can put one at risk for other health problems such as heart disease and osteoporosis. Unfortunately, this condition seems to come on at a time of life when men may begin to question their life, accomplishments and future—making it difficult to understand that the changes are related to more than just external conditions. Menopause tends to happen in women during their mid-forties to mid-fifties, and the men's "transition" tends to occur over decades. Contributory factors include attitude, stress, alcohol, injuries or surgery, medications, obesity and infections- all part of everyday life.

As with menopause, this is a natural occurrence in all men, but it is hard to distinguish who will have more severe symptoms and when, and it is not easy to predict at what age symptoms may occur. Beginning at the age of thirty, testosterone levels drop anywhere between 10-15% every decade. During this time, SHBG, or sex binding hormone globulin increases. The SHBG traps testosterone that may be circulating, making it unavailable to exert its effects in the body's tissues. Andropause is primarily associated with low testosterone levels. Each man undergoes a decline of testosterone, but in some cases some levels dip lower than others, this causes distinct andropausal symptoms. Symptoms may impact quality of life and may cause exposure to other, longer-term risks of low-testosterone.

Testosterone aids in building protein and is essential for normal sexual behavior and producing erections. Many metabolic activities are directly affected, such as the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, bone formation, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, liver function and prostate gland growth. When a lack of testosterone is available to do its duty in the body, the target-organs who need it then bring about the symptoms that many men complain of.

Each individual is different and some symptoms may not apply to all men, but do include some of the following:

• Decreased sex drive
• Emotional, psychological and behavioral changes
• Decreased muscle mass in the body
• Loss of muscle strength
• Upper and central body fat increase
• Osteoporosis or weak bones and back pain
• Increased cardiovascular risk

Andropause should be taken as seriously as women take menopause because it has a distinct effect on the quality of life that one leads. These are easily remediable symptoms, that will not just make you feel better, but in the long run, will help in the prevention of cardiovascular, degenerative and osteoporotic diseases. Work with your specialist to see what treatment options may be right for you including treatment or assistance with dietary supplements.