Andropause - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management

Introduction

Women are not the only ones who suffer from changes in the body due to fluctuations in hormones. Males also face a problem with androgen, which is declining in testosterone levels with age. It may be associated with some conditions like diabetes. So hormonal changes are a normal part of aging in men and women. There may be testosterone deficiency and androgen deficiency. Andropause is also known as male menopause. Menopause is the end of the reproductive transitional period. The condition is natural as every man faces at age fifty or older. At age 30 or 40, the hormone levels tend to decline; by age 70, the testosterone levels decline gradually. The hormone testosterone is produced in the testis. It acts as fuel during the sex drive. The hormone level changes during puberty and regulates the physical and mental changes, maintaining muscle mass, deep voices, and body and facial hair patterns. As testosterone levels decrease, sperm production decreases, resulting in physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms. The development of the symptoms with andropause is more gradual than the women. The condition may cause severe health conditions if left untreated. The article is about andropause, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

What Are the Causes of Andropause?

Andropause is a natural process in males. The decrease in testosterone levels may suspect andropause. Along with testosterone, the other hormones, including sex hormone-binding globulin, which takes the testosterone from the blood, also increase. The sex hormone-binding globulin will bind up the testosterone, and the leftover testosterone is available for use by the body. Some other causes include personal and lifestyle issues, and late-onset hypogonadism also leads to andropause.

Emotional and Lifestyle Problems: These are also responsible for andropause. Stress, depression, and anxiety may lead to erectile dysfunction, mood swings, and low sex drive in males. Smoking and heart problems may also cause erectile dysfunction. In addition, stress and psychological issues may be brought into a relationship, work, or money problems. Other causes include a poor diet, lack of sleep, drinking alcohol, and lack of exercise may lead to andropause.

Low-Onset Hypogonadism: Male menopause may be due to hypogonadism, which is uncommon, in which the testes produce few or no hormones. Hypogonadism can occur in later life, particularly in obese and diabetic men.

What Is the Difference Between Male Menopause and Female Menopause?

Male menopause is different from female menopause. However, in both, menopause is a natural part of aging. Some men in older age never develop low testosterone levels. Andropause is the name due to the androgen deficiency in the aging male. In the morning, testosterone levels are generally low.

What Are the Changes in Testosterone Levels in Males?

The testosterone levels are low before the boy hits puberty. However, after puberty, the levels increase as the male sexually matures. The testosterone levels involved in male puberty lead to the growth of muscle mass, lowering of the voice, changes in sexual functioning, and development of facial and body hairs. After thirty, with age, the testosterone levels start declining. In addition, some health and medical conditions can decrease testosterone levels.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Andropause?

Low testosterone levels may cause symptoms and complications in males. Male menopause may lead to weaker erections, reduced sex drive, loss of muscle mass, low bone mass, sleep problems, increased fat accumulation, and depression. The signs and symptoms are as follows:

• Low Sex Drive: Testosterone plays an essential role in sexual drive and function. Low testosterone due to male menopause may lead to a decrease in the libido than usual and erectile dysfunction (weak erections during sex). It can also decrease sperm count.

• Depression: Testosterone is associated with mood swings. If the testosterone levels are low, the person might be depressed. Common symptoms include sadness, anxiety, anger, and irritability. In addition, the person will be unable to concentrate on remembering things and will lose interest in everyday enjoyable activities. It is the first symptom associated with low testosterone levels.

• Low Energy: Testosterone helps the body maintain energy levels in daily activities. With low testosterone levels, the person may feel tired and face difficulties in routine activities.

• Insomnia: Testosterone plays an essential role in maintaining sleep patterns. Low testosterone levels may lead to disturbance in sleep. As a result, there may be difficulty falling asleep, trouble focusing, and irritability.

• Bone Density: Testosterone helps maintain bone mass growth and density. Low testosterone levels may lead to decreased bone density, making the bone more fragile, brittle, and easily fractured. The condition is known as osteoporosis.

• Abdominal Fat: Low testosterone levels may lead to excess abdominal fat. An enzyme in the fat tissue may decrease testosterone levels more because the enzyme converts the testosterone into estrogen.

How Can Andropause Be Diagnosed?

The doctor may ask for the symptoms to diagnose the condition. Then, the healthcare provider may prescribe a blood test to check the testosterone levels in the blood. The situation must be analyzed early to prevent psychological and physical disturbances.

How Can Andropause Be Managed?

Many symptoms associated with the condition are a natural part, so cannot be reverted with treatment. Instead, the main goal of the treatment is to replace the testosterone in the blood, which will help relieve symptoms like depression, fatigue, and interest in sex. In addition, lifestyle changes like exercise, stress reduction, and nutrition help maintain testosterone levels. Testosterone is available in capsules, patches, gels, and injections.

• Skin Patches: These provide testosterone through the skin. The skin patch releases the slow testosterone in the blood. It is applied on the dry area on the thighs, abdomen, back, and upper arms.

• Gel: Testosterone gel is applied directly on the skin, especially on the upper arms.

• Capsules: The doctor may advise testosterone capsules twice daily after meals. The tablets are contraindicated in people with liver, heart, and kidney disease.

• Injections: The doctor may prescribe testosterone injection in the muscle every two to four weeks.

Conclusion

Andropause is male menopause leading to low testosterone levels. Low testosterone is a natural aging process and may be due to some lifestyle problems, health, or medical conditions. Testosterone changes in the male body during puberty. A decrease in testosterone may lead to erectile dysfunction, loss of sexual function, stress, anxiety, depression, mood swings, bone density reduction, and abdominal fat increase. The doctor may prescribe a blood test to check the testosterone levels. Several treatments may treat the condition, including testosterone patches, gels, capsules, and injections.