Andropause in men is completely different than menopause in women. In men, there is no clear line of decline in reproductive performance or a sharp decline in testosterone levels. What are the symptoms of andropause? Are there medications that can alleviate them?
Impairment of the endocrine and reproductive function of the testicles duringandropauseis an individual feature of every man. Some gentlemen, even at an advanced age, are sexually active and fit. On the other hand, the concentration oftestosteronedecreases with age in all men, but the process is very slow. Testosterone levels inof menaged 80 account for 60 percent. values at the age of 20-40.
Andropause - the most common symptoms
Symptoms of andropause do not just result from a drop in testosterone levels. Low levels of DHEA and growth hormone are also responsible for the unfavorable feelings. The effects of low levels of these hormones can be many and varied:
- worse general well-being and mental performance
- tendency to depression
- nervousness
- sleep disturbance
- libido decrease
- weight loss or fat gain
- reduction of muscle strength
- excessive sweating
- bone density decrease
- immunity weakening
- the occurrence of insulin resistance with its consequences, i.e. diabetes
- increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Clear symptoms of andropause occur in 10-20 percent. men around 60, and the first symptoms are:
- erectile dysfunction
- general weakness and memory problems.
Andropauza - is there an effective treatment?
There has been a discussion for years whether androgen hormone therapy can help. Doctors have still not agreed on their views on this. There is still not enough research to show that such therapy brings more benefits than side effects. Increasingly, instead of the term andropause, doctors are using the term partial androgen deficiency in aging men.