Men also fade. What should you know about andropause?

Contents

Hypogonadism, or the first signs of male menopause
Testosterone deficiency and other diseases
Low testosterone levels and obesity
Hormone problems are treatable
What is andropause and when is it too early for it?
Can andropause be delayed?

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Although we associate the influence of hormones on well-being and behavior mainly with women, men are not indifferent to it. Andropause, or male menopause, is a frequent topic of anecdotes and jokes. What is it – really and completely seriously?

Hormonal disorders in men occur when they have too little testosterone or too much estrogen – explains Dr. Sylwia Kuźniarz-Rymarz, internist and endocrinologist from the Sublimed medical center in Krakow.
The symptoms of andropause are similar to those of menopause – women’s menopause
– Men warming up due to a reduced testosterone level may, therefore, struggle with sleep disorders, irritability, mood swings, hot flashes, sweating – explains the doctor
Early symptoms are also: erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, decreased desire, lack of interest in sex. Abdominal obesity may also appear
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Hormones affect men as much as they do women. Both sexes have the same relationships, and the only difference is in their proportions. In women, estrogens predominate, while in men the main role is played by testosterone, which has a major impact on the overall masculinity of them. It is he who most strongly determines the functioning of the endocrine system. Hormonal disorders in men occur when they have too little testosterone or too much estrogen. – This configuration can be a serious problem because testosterone has a huge impact on the formation of the male sex during pregnancy. The presence of testosterone in the right concentration determines both the physical and mental characteristics of a man – explains Dr. Sylwia Kuźniarz-Rymarz.

Hypogonadism, or the first signs of male menopause

Hypogonadism, which is understood to be the problem of low testosterone levels, affects 10-15 percent of the male population, most often between the ages of 45 and 60. This is when the first symptoms related to the deficiency of male sex hormones may appear. 50% of men over 80 struggle with the disease.

Testosterone levels in men change with age, as aging processes appear, leading to a decrease in testosterone levels. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes the form of testosterone deficiency syndrome, which is comparable to the female menopause, explains the drug. Sylwia Kuźniarz-Rymarz. This is when changes in the male body appear. But not all men do it at the same pace and intensity. For some, this process may be more noticeable and painful. This natural stage of aging affects the entire hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and applies to both the hormones produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, i.e. LH and FSH, and by the testes (testosterone), explains the doctor.

Testosterone deficiency and other diseases

Hypogonadism affects a man’s quality of life, causing a spectrum of symptoms similar to those faced by menopausal women. As the doctor explains, men who are warmed by a reduced testosterone level may at this time struggle with sleep disorders, irritability, changeable mood, hot flashes, sweating.

A man comes to the doctor when he feels a decrease in libido. This is a disturbing signal

In the early stages, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, decreased desire, and lack of interest in sex are also noticeable. Similar symptoms can occur in chronic fatigue syndrome. Therefore, when diagnosing the problem, it is worth paying attention to the level of testosterone in the body. It may turn out that it is he who is behind the problem of permanent exhaustion. Chronic testosterone deficiency also reduces bone mineral density, leading to osteoporosis, which may result in pathological fractures, explains the drug. Sylwia Kuźniarz-Rymarz.

Low testosterone levels and obesity

Too little sex hormone in men may go hand in hand with a tendency to develop abdominal obesity and a change in the ratio of muscle mass to fat mass. It is worth remembering that abdominal obesity is very dangerous and leads, among others, to to the development of other diseases: cardiovascular, hypertension and diabetes.

Testosterone deficiency always leads to abdominal obesity. An obese man, who will initially have normal testosterone levels, may have hormonal problems as a result. In adipose tissue, testosterone is converted into estrogens, too high a concentration of which causes a greater incidence of estrogen-dependent neoplasms, i.e. resulting from the effect of estrogen on the body. As a consequence, this problem may be caused by, inter alia, colorectal cancer.

A difficult time in a man’s life. How to relieve symptoms?

Hormone problems are treatable

According to drug. Sylwia Kuźniarz-Rymarz, patients are more and more often aware of their problems, and when looking for a solution, they report them to specialists. In most cases, medicine is able to deal with ailments of a hormonal nature. The main hormone produced by the male body is testosterone. The situation in which its level drops is a serious problem.

However, men also have other endocrine disorders, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Some symptoms of these diseases are also characteristic of testosterone deficiency, for example fatigue, weight gain, drowsiness, apathy. Therefore, the patient should always be diagnosed by examining a broader hormonal panel than just testosterone levels – the specialist realizes.

What is andropause and when is it too early for it?

Andropause is the equivalent of female menopause, although men tend to go through this process more gently than women in most cases. Andropause is usually a slow and gradual process in which testosterone levels decline with age. Typically, andropause occurs after the age of 45. So if a younger man has obvious symptoms of testosterone deficiency, it is definitely too early to do so. Then the pituitary hormones LH and FSH, the level of testosterone, DHEA-S, free testosterone, as well as prolactin and estradiol should be checked. If the analyzes show a testosterone deficiency, and urological problems have been ruled out and the prostate is healthy, the doctor may think about introducing substitution treatment by administering testosterone.

If a father, brother or grandfather has been ill, the risk increases up to ten times

If the patient chooses substitution treatment, what does it look like? We currently have tablets, intramuscular testosterone injection or a gel form. The latter method is most often recommended to patients, explains the Sublimed specialist.

Can andropause be delayed?

The timing of andropause in men, like menopause in women, results from genetic determinants. Their course also differs. In the case of men, however, it is especially important to lead a hygienic lifestyle and avoid obesity, which is the greatest enemy of masculinity.

The aging process itself cannot be stopped by medicine. At the same time, however, you should follow the signals sent by the body and provide it with what it currently lacks. It is definitely crucial to practice sports regularly and to follow a balanced diet.