Men also have to deal with a transitional period in their lives. Andropause, because that’s what this period is called, however, has a completely different course than menopause. In some respects, men fare better, because there is no clear cut-off between reproductive decline and a sharp drop in testosterone levels. So what are the symptoms of andropause and how to deal with it?
The change in the reproductive and hormonal function of the testicles is an individual matter here. It may be different for each man – some, even at an advanced age, will still be fit and sexually active, others less so. On the other hand, testosterone levels decrease in all men, but this process is gradual and proceeds very slowly. For example, in an 80-year-old man, testosterone levels are 60% of those between the ages of 20 and 40.
Symptoms of andropause
However, menopause does not result from a decrease in testosterone levels alone. Growth hormone and low DHEA levels are also responsible for unfavorable feelings. As a result of this low hormone level, you may feel:
- Sleep disturbance
- Decrease in libido,
- Decrease in bone density
- Generally feeling worse,
- Deterioration of mental performance,
- Higher risk of cardiovascular disease
- Nervousness,
- Tendency to depression
- excessive sweating,
- The occurrence of insulin resistance, and as a result – diabetes,
- Increase or decrease in body weight – some gain weight, others lose weight,
- decrease in muscle strength,
- Weaker immunity.
Such clear symptoms of andropause occur in 10-20% of men before the age of 60, and the most common first symptoms are general weakness and problems with concentration and erectile dysfunction.
How to treat andropause? Are there effective treatments?
Physicians have argued for years over whether hormone therapy involving the administration of androgens to patients would be helpful. However, there are still not enough studies to clearly indicate that such therapy will bring more benefits than side effects. It also happens that some doctors do not use the term andropause, but the term “partial androgen deficiency” occurring in aging men.
In addition, medicine stipulates that andropause results more from the general health of a man than the age itself. Male menopause can be aggravated and accelerated by various diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis and hypertension. Lifestyle is also not indifferent, i.e. poor nutrition, inactive lifestyle, smoking, alcohol abuse. As in the case of female menopause, the appearance of the first symptoms of andropause and its course are also influenced by genetic factors. When they appeared early and were quite pronounced in the father, it will be similar in the son.