Andropause: The Male Menopause or Mid-life Crazies?

The mid-life “crazies” seem to hit many men around age forty or so. Psychological or emotional factors are often blamed but a growing number of doctors and researchers believe the often troublesome mental and physical changes some men experience in their 40s and 50s is due to a drop in the male hormone testosterone. The result is somewhat like female menopause and is known as andropause.

Research on the so-called male menopause started, in fact, back in the middle of the l940s and was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in the mid-1940s. But it wasn't until recent years, with men living longer and wanting to feel good ( including sexually) as they age , that physicians started to seriously look at the conditionIn addition, the fairly recent development of sensitive tests that can measure testosterone levels more accurately than was possible in the past now makes diagnosing andropause easier.

Researchers say around 25 million American men between the age of 40 and 55 are currently going through some degree of andropause as testosterone levels plummet. This can produce an assortment of troublesome symptoms and even raise the risk of potentially serious health problems including heart disease and weak bones.

What does testosterone do in the male body, exactly?

The hormone, produced by the testes and adrenal glands, plays a critical role in a variety of bodily functions, including having and maintaining erections, liver function, muscle and bone strength, prostate gland function and the metabolism of carbs and fats.

Andropause researchers say for about 30 percent of middle-aged men, their lowered testosterone levels can cause symptoms from impotence and lack of interest in sex to loss of muscle mass, fatigue and even depression and irritability. Dropping testosterone has even been linked to more wrinkles in men! Like many questions concerning andropause, all the answers aren't in yet, but some data suggests too low testosterone may up the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, too.

Hormone replacement for men

Several studies over the past few years have suggested supplementing men suffering from andropause symptoms with male hormones called androgens, can make a huge difference in their mood, muscle tone and sex lives. Many men, and their physicians , are hesitant to consider prescription testosterone because of a fear of increasing the risk for prostate cancer. Several studies in recent years, however, have not shown a link between the hormone and that malignancy.

A new study headed by Susan A. Hall, Ph.D., of New England Research Institutes, Watertown, Mass., and colleagues concludes that while prescriptions for testosterone therapy for aging men have increased in recent years, the majority of men with androgen deficiency may not be receiving treatment . The result? Many may be dealing with symptoms such as low sex drive erectile dysfunction and osteoporosis , sleep disturbances, depression and fatigue that could be helped with proper treatment.

If you are a man and think you might be going through andropause - of if you love someone who you suspect is experiencing problems that could be attributed to a drop in male hormones - make sure a physician experienced in dealing with androgen therapy is consulted. There's no reason to suffer when help is available.