Andropause in men is a common experience during midlife as a result of an age-related decline in male hormone levels. Testosterone deficiency typically occurs as men age, and it may have undesirable effects on their sexual wellness, mood, and physical appearance.
Although andropause in men has been compared to menopause in women, the decrease in hormones and onset of symptoms during andropause in men is slower and subtler than it is in women. However, low testosterone (low t) levels can occur for many reasons at any age, even as early as the teenage years.
Andropause low t treatment often means bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), which uses hormones that are identical in structure to those your body produces naturally, including testosterone. When the male body no longer produces enough hormones for optimal health and wellness, BHRT can help supplement the natural supply and help manage life-disrupting andropause symptoms.
Belmar Pharmacy offers andropause treatment, which may be in the form of BHRT and complementary compounded medications for men to help optimize many aspects of their well-being, including sexual wellness.
About Andropause
Symptoms
Everyone experiences this stage of life differently, but the most common symptoms of andropause in men include:
- Low libido/loss of interest in sex
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue/low energy
- Loss of muscle mass/strength
- Depression, anxiety or mood changes
Other signs of low testosterone may include breast tenderness, loss of height and/or bone density loss, hot flashes and sweating. Men in andropause may also have trouble concentrating, memory issues, and increased body fat or weight gain. Andropause symptoms can affect men physically, emotionally, and sexually, and also lead to long-term systemic health issues such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes.
Causes
The primary cause of andropause in men is the natural aging process. Testosterone is a hormone that plays an important role for both men and women throughout their lives. For men, testosterone begins a gradual decline, typically around age 40, and continues decreasing in production more than 1.5% each year after.
While aging is the primary cause of andropause in men, other factors can contribute, such as obesity, certain chronic illnesses, diabetes, and even long-term alcohol abuse. Men typically notice this hormonal decline in their late 40s or early 50s.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing andropause in men typically involves a provider who specializes in hormone replacement therapy, or low t treatment, assessing symptoms. The most common symptoms of andropause for men include:
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Loss of muscle mass
- Depression or mood changes
Typically, a physical exam, blood pressure, and blood tests to measure testosterone levels are included for diagnosis of andropause (also known as “male menopause”). Medical providers may also seek to rule out other causes of these symptoms, such as diabetes or thyroid issues, before determining that andropause is the underlying cause.
Commonly Asked Questions About Andropause
Since the steady testosterone decline typically begins at age 40, men may find themselves in andropause anytime after that. Because symptoms vary from person to person, it may or may not be noticeable. However, when symptoms like low libido, erectile dysfunction, low energy, or depression/anxiety interfere with daily life and relationships, it’s likely a sign that a man over the age of 40 is experiencing andropause.
The most common symptoms of andropause include:
- Low libido/loss of interest in sex
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Loss of muscle mass
- Depression, anxiety or mood changes
Men may also experience bone density loss, hot flashes or sweating, breast tenderness, and infertility.
Often talked about as the male version of menopause, andropause is a real stage of life that men naturally go through as they age. Male menopause typically refers to the effects of decreasing testosterone levels that can lead to unpleasant or even life-changing symptoms, such as depression, lack of motivation, and erectile dysfunction (ED). Andropause is different from menopause because it’s much more of a gradual decline of hormones, rather than the more sudden experience of the end of ovulation for women.
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