Over the years we have heard about women who suffer from menopause- and
this is viewed as a natural cycle of life. What we are just learning now,
is that men, too suffer from a very similar cycle of life that has not
been addressed by the general public until now.
When men are between the ages of 40 and 55, they may experience an unusual
phenomenon much like female menopause, called andropause. Men have not
been given clear-cut symptoms to watch for, such as the ending of a menstrual
cycle. Both menopause and andropause are marked by a drop in hormonal
levels in the body. The hormones being estrogen in the female and testosterone
in the male. 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 interesting 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 an occurrence in all men, but it is hard to
distinguish who will have more severe symptoms and when, nor is it easy
to predict at what age symptoms may occur.
Beginning at the age of thirty, testosterone levels drop by about 10%
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. The left over
portion is able to do the work and is known as "bioavailable" testosterone.
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 the distinct andropausal symptoms.
Symptoms may impact quality of life and may cause exposure to other,
longer-term risks of low-testosterone. The estimate stands at about 30%,
where men who have low testosterone will be putting themselves at increased
risk for increased disease.
Testosterone is so important due to the unique effect it has on a man's
total body. Testosterone is produced in the testes and in the adrenal
glands, and is akin to males what estrogen is to females.
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 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.
Find out more :
Frequently Asked Questions
FIND
A FACILITY/WELLNESS CENTER
