Hormone replacement therapy is a key treatment option for your andropause symptoms if your blood tests show lowered levels of testosterone.
What is ‘male menopause’?
‘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 aged 50 or older. It’s often affiliated with hypogonadism. Both conditions involve lowered testosterone levels and similar symptoms.
If you’re a man, testosterone is a hormone produced in your testes. It does more than fuel your sex drive. It also fuels changes during puberty, fuels your mental and physical energy, maintains your muscle mass, regulates your fight-or-flight response, and regulates other key evolutionary features.
Male menopause differs from female menopause in several ways. For one thing, not all men experience it. For another, it doesn’t involve a complete shutdown of your reproductive organs. However, sexual complications may arise as a result of your lowered hormone levels.
Symptoms of Andropause
Male menopause can cause physical, sexual, and psychological problems. They typically worsen as you get older.
They can include:
- low energy;
- depression or sadness;
- decreased motivation;
- lowered self-confidence;
- difficulty concentrating;
- insomnia or difficulty sleeping;
- increased body fat;
- reduced muscle mass and feelings of physical weakness;
- gynecomastia, or development of breasts;
- decreased bone density;
- erectile dysfunction;
- reduced libido;
- infertility.
If you’ve got some of the mentioned above symptoms, it’s time to consider taking the proper treatment.
Male Menopause Diagnosis and Treatment
Hormone replacement therapy is a key treatment option for your andropause symptoms. A thyroid expert can take a sample of your blood to test your testosterone levels. If your blood tests show a low T, then testosterone replacement therapy is prescribed.
Unless male menopause is causing you severe hardship or disrupting your life, you’ll probably manage your symptoms without treatment. The biggest hurdle in treating male menopause may be talking to a doctor about your symptoms. Many men are too intimidated or shy to discuss sexual topics with their doctors.
The most common type of treatment for symptoms of male menopause is making healthier lifestyle choices. For example, a doctor might advise you to:
- eat a healthy diet;
- get regular exercise;
- get enough sleep;
- reduce your stress.
These lifestyle habits can benefit all men. After adopting these habits, men who are experiencing symptoms of male menopause may see a dramatic change in their overall health.
If you’re experiencing depression, a doctor may prescribe antidepressants, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
If you have any questions about how to improve your sexual function or get rid of andropause symptoms, please contact our specialists by filling out this contact form.