andropause symptoms in men
Male menopause” is the more common term for andropause. It describes age-related changes in male hormone levels. The same group of symptoms is also known as testosterone deficiency, androgen deficiency, and late-onset hypogonadism. Male menopause involves a drop in testosterone production in men who are age 50 or older. Recognizing low testosterone levels. A blood test is the only way to diagnose a low testosterone level or a reduction in the bioavailability of testosterone. Some men have a lower than normal testosterone level without signs or symptoms. In this case, no treatment is needed. For others, low testosterone might cause: Changes in sexual function. “Male menopause” is also called andropause. It describes a drop in testosterone levels that many men experience when they get older. Declining testosterone levels can cause many symptoms. For example, it can cause depression, reduced muscle mass, increased body fat, and erectile dysfunction. Andropause symptoms are typically mistaken for signs of aging and left untreated. However, adequate levels of testosterone are vital to a man’s health and wellbeing. In fact, in 2015, a number of studies confirmed that men who fail to treat low levels of testosterone are at greater risk of disease. As men age, their testosterone levels tend to decrease. According to the Mayo Clinic, most men’s testosterone levels peak in their 20s. After age 30 or 40, those levels tend to decline by about 1 percent per year. By age 70, your testosterone level might reach 50 percent of your peak level. This hormonal shift can cause physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. Talk to your doctor Talk to your doctor If you’re experiencing symptoms of low T or suspect you might be experiencing andropause, visit your doctor. They can help identify the cause of your symptoms. To treat andropause, your doctor might recommend testosterone replacement therapy or other treatments. Men do experience a decline in the production of the male hormone testosterone with aging, but this also occurs with conditions such as diabetes. Along with the decline in testosterone, some men experience symptoms that include fatigue, weakness, depression, and sexual problems. The relationship of these symptoms to decreased testosterone levels is still controversial. Testosterone Decline at Middle Age in Men. Andropause, the male menopause, low T—regardless of name, the condition is characterized by a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including hot flashes in men, erectile dysfunction, low libido, irritability, muscle loss, and fatigue that are the result of low levels of testosterone. Highlights. “ 1 Male menopause” is also called andropause. It describes a drop in testosterone levels that many men experience when they get older. 2  Declining testosterone levels can cause many symptoms. For example, it can cause depression, reduced muscle mass, increased body fat, and erectile dysfunction. Also referred to as low-T, andropause, or (its medical name) late-onset hypogonadism, the idea behind the concept of male menopause is that the decline in testosterone levels that occurs as men age may be producing a characteristic and potentially treatable set of symptoms.
Depression, reduced muscle mass, increased body fat, and erectile dysfunction.