Andropause
Also known as: Male Menopause
What is it?
Andropause, or male menopause, is a condition
associated with declining androgen levels. It may
result from primary or secondary hypogonadism or
from a pathologic condition.
Who gets it?
Andropause affects about half of men older than
age 50.
What causes it?
Andropause is caused by lower levels of
testosterone and its consequences as men age.
Recent studies show that after age 30,
testosterone levels generally decrease by one to
two percent per year - although this decline can
vary widely.
Sudden, drastic declines in testosterone levels
are usually caused by hypogonadism. Classified as
either primary or secondary, hypogonadism should
be ruled out in patients experiencing symptoms of
andropause.
What
are the symptoms?
Symptoms of andropause can vary from one man to
the next.
Symptoms of male Andropause
may include lethargy or decreased energy,
decreased libido or interest in sex, erectile
dysfunction with loss of erections, muscle
weakness and aches, inability to sleep, hot
flashes, night sweats, depression, infertility and
thinning of bones or bone loss.
How is it diagnosed?
Andropause can be diagnosed by measuring the level of
testosterone in the blood. Andropause occurs as a
result of testosterone deficiency and a low free
and bioavailable testosterone level is found in
males with androgen deficiency. Total testosterone
levels can be used as a screen for the Andropause
but it is the decrease in the free form of
testosterone that causes the symptoms.
Usually testosterone deficiency is not the most
common cause of impotence; other causes include
atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, and use
of certain medications. These factors, as well as
previous genital trauma and other aspects of the
patient’s medical history, are important in
diagnosing andropause.
What is the treatment?
To treat andropause, the doctor may advise the
patient to undergo hormone replacement therapy.
Replacing testosterone can have a significant
benefit particularly in older men with an
improvement in well-being, improved sex drive,
improved sexual function, improved muscle mass and
strength and an increase in bone density. There
are now several alternatives available for
testosterone replacement therapy in the form of
skin patches and creams that can deliver
testosterone into the blood in a non-invasive way.
Men who are carefully selected for hormone
replacement therapy must be monitored for signs of
prostate disease, dyslipidemia, hepatotoxicity,
erythrocytosis, and other side effects.
Consult your physician and ask her/him whether you
should have a testosterone level determined to see
if you are deficient. If you are deficient and are
a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy,
your physician will prescribe just the right
therapy for you. Questions can be directed to the
Endocrine Clinic here at Penn State
Hershey Medical Center.
Self-care tips
Patients diagnosed with andropause and being
treated with hormone replacement therapy should be
monitored to check testosterone, lipid and
hematocrit levels. That way, treatment can be
adjusted according to the patient’s needs and side
affects closely monitored.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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