Andropause - Men"s Slow-Motion Version of Menopause
Men do not suddenly go through a hormonal adjustment that makes them infertile.
However, they do experience a gradual loss of testicle function and production of testosterone.
Their testosterone levels drop about 50%, and this is reflected in many other physical changes.
Their changes may manifest as frailty syndrome.
The symptoms include: decrease in libido, fatigue, moods and depression, osteoporosis, and decreased muscle mass (sarcopenia) and strength.
The accompanying loss of testosterone causes an increase in fat and erectile dysfunction.
This is similar to hypogonadism -- having abnormally low levels of testosterone.
However, since it's caused by increasing age, it's called hypoandrogenism.
Many people can recognize the "grumpy old man" syndrome.
Losing sexual desire and function is enough to make anybody grumpy.
One form of treatment is testosterone replacement therapy or TRT.
This is the male equivalent of women getting estrogen and progesterone, which is extremely common.
Studies show that injections of testosterone given to aging men can: increase strength, improve balance, increase red blood cell counts, and drive up libido.
It also lowers LDL (the bad kind) cholesterol.
Muscle mass increase while body fat goes down.
Plaque deposits in arteries also go down.
HDL cholesterol (the good kind) goes up.
Aging men also suffer from osteoporosis.
They lose up to 25% of their bone mass by age 85.
After age 60, men have a sharp rate in the number of hip fractures.
And hypogonadal men are six times more likely to break hip in a fall than men with normal testosterone levels.
Men receiving TRT have increases in bone density, formation and minerals.
Other benefits of TRT include: rise in libido, stimulates growth and repair of muscle tissues, strengths the heart, boosts the immune system, increases sperm production, revitalizes the urinary and reproductive system, and regulates the production of prostaglandin.
However, TRT does have two side effects the monitoring physician should look out for: a rise in prostate specific antigen (PSA) and an increase in hemocrit or blood volume.
Not all men need TRT, and certainly it's not yet as common as hormone replacement therapy is for women.
Yet any man who age 50 who's feeling depressed over nothing specific and who's showing signs of slowing down physically and mentally, should consider whether or not a shot of testosterone may be just what they need to feel like a 25 year old stud again.
However, they do experience a gradual loss of testicle function and production of testosterone.
Their testosterone levels drop about 50%, and this is reflected in many other physical changes.
Their changes may manifest as frailty syndrome.
The symptoms include: decrease in libido, fatigue, moods and depression, osteoporosis, and decreased muscle mass (sarcopenia) and strength.
The accompanying loss of testosterone causes an increase in fat and erectile dysfunction.
This is similar to hypogonadism -- having abnormally low levels of testosterone.
However, since it's caused by increasing age, it's called hypoandrogenism.
Many people can recognize the "grumpy old man" syndrome.
Losing sexual desire and function is enough to make anybody grumpy.
One form of treatment is testosterone replacement therapy or TRT.
This is the male equivalent of women getting estrogen and progesterone, which is extremely common.
Studies show that injections of testosterone given to aging men can: increase strength, improve balance, increase red blood cell counts, and drive up libido.
It also lowers LDL (the bad kind) cholesterol.
Muscle mass increase while body fat goes down.
Plaque deposits in arteries also go down.
HDL cholesterol (the good kind) goes up.
Aging men also suffer from osteoporosis.
They lose up to 25% of their bone mass by age 85.
After age 60, men have a sharp rate in the number of hip fractures.
And hypogonadal men are six times more likely to break hip in a fall than men with normal testosterone levels.
Men receiving TRT have increases in bone density, formation and minerals.
Other benefits of TRT include: rise in libido, stimulates growth and repair of muscle tissues, strengths the heart, boosts the immune system, increases sperm production, revitalizes the urinary and reproductive system, and regulates the production of prostaglandin.
However, TRT does have two side effects the monitoring physician should look out for: a rise in prostate specific antigen (PSA) and an increase in hemocrit or blood volume.
Not all men need TRT, and certainly it's not yet as common as hormone replacement therapy is for women.
Yet any man who age 50 who's feeling depressed over nothing specific and who's showing signs of slowing down physically and mentally, should consider whether or not a shot of testosterone may be just what they need to feel like a 25 year old stud again.
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