Andropause: A Testosterone Deficiency

Getting older comes with its drawbacks; loss of energy, erectile dysfunction, lower sex drive, and mood changes. These symptoms have always been considered nothing more than the natural changes that come with age. Recent studies show that these symptoms may not be such an organic part of our lifecycle; instead they seem to be the side effects of a condition known as "andropause."

Much like when women go through menopause amid their late 40s and early 50s (the production of estrogen slows down), with andropause, men in the same age bracket begin experiencing a decrease in the production of testosterone. Though unlike its female counterpart, andropause will not affect all men.

For most men, the average drop in testosterone is about 10% each decade after thirty. This is considered a safe and natural slowdown in production. However, men whose testosterone levels drop at a quicker rate than the 10% per decade on average are believed to be going through andropause.

Since the symptoms seem like nothing more than a more rapid than normal aging process, few researchers have looked into it. Though the condition was discovered in the 1940s and became official in medical literature in 1952, it has never seemed severe enough to warrant a place in the collective consciousness.

Also, until recently, doctors were not able to perform reliable tests to determine testosterone levels in men. Now, with capable tests and a generation of baby boomers desperate to fight aging, andropause finally looks like it will get its long overdue attention.
what causes it?

For men in their 30s, testosterone production begins to slow down and the production of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) increases. Rather than stopping production of testosterone, SHBG simply traps and prevents it from being used by the body. The essential tasks performed by testosterone must now be performed by whatever is left over by the SHBG.

Now before you begin to panic, it should be noted that most men produce more than enough testosterone to combat the trapping effects of SHBG. But it is the estimated 30% of men over 50 who cannot overcome the SHBG who will suffer from andropause.

How important is testosterone

testosterone's value

To better understand the dangers of andropause, it is important to understand exactly what testosterone is and what functions it serves in a man's body.

The chemical itself is produced in the testes and adrenal glands and then distributed throughout a man's body.

Internally, it is responsible for building protein, regulating the metabolic system, producing blood cells in bone marrow, assisting in liver functions, and regulating the growth of the prostate gland. All of these functions are extremely important for maintaining a healthy body as we age, and a disproportionate reduction in testosterone can endanger all of them.

For most of us, however, the great benefit of testosterone is the role it plays in our sex lives. It is absolutely essential in producing erections and regulating the male libido.
andropause effects

The strength of the effects of andropause depends on how much testosterone the sufferer is losing and how much of a deficiency he is experiencing.

The first and most devastating impact of andropause is its decimation of the male sex drive. Not only do interest levels drop, but it also becomes increasingly difficult for the male to achieve and maintain an erection. For most men, this should serve as the first sign that they may be suffering from andropause.

Mentally, most sufferers will find themselves going through emotional and behavioral changes. Specifically, they will experience a loss of energy and interest in things that used to spur passion (sports, business, home improvement, etc.).

On a physical level, andropause will result in a loss of muscle mass and an increase in upper body fat -- basically, the same symptoms that steroid (a type of super testosterone supplement) users suffer when they stop taking the drug. Also, the chances of contracting osteoporosis and cardiovascular problems increase exponentially, although the latter is still being debated by medical professionals.
are you at risk?

Every male over the age of thirty is a potential candidate for andropause.

Naturally, living an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity and a poor diet greatly increases your chances of contraction. So those in white-collar positions that require little physical activity must begin to add exercise to their daily regimen to try and stave off the condition.

Here's how you can avoid this ordeal altogether...

Doctors also list stress, alcohol abuse, injuries, surgery, medications, obesity, and infections as potential contributors to the onset of andropause.

Even if you avoid all of these pitfalls and live a perfectly healthy life, you are not exempt from andropause. In fact, it can strike any man without warning or reason. And considering it will affect 30% of men in their 50s, one should never assume they are in a no-risk segment of the population.
available cures

Thankfully, medical science is coming up with a number of potential treatments for andropause, all of which revolve around some sort of testosterone replacement therapy. The problem is that it is fraught with risks when taken improperly.

Currently, the most popular methods include a cream, which is applied twice daily to the skin on the scrotum; a gel, which functions in the same manner; and a tablet, which is inserted under the skin and can be effective for up to four months. In every case, this can be a safe and effective treatment for men who suffer from an appropriate deficiency.

The problems arise when doctors are not able to match the correct dosage to the patient. Even the slightest imbalance can result in all of the negative effects that come along with steroid use such as acne, male pattern baldness, the growing of breasts, and abuse to vital organs such as the liver. So when most doctors prescribe this treatment, the patient must be kept under close scrutiny to ensure that the testosterone levels are correct.
a personal choice

Most of the symptoms of andropause will eventually begin to show in all men as they approach old age. For some, this inevitability will lead them to ignore their symptoms and discount them as nothing more than aging. But we must remember that the discovery and treatment of andropause has given us a chance to fight off the perils of old age.

We are very lucky to be living in the age that we do, and any man over the age of thirty who feels out of sync should see a doctor immediately to check for andropause. No one has to suffer anymore; there is a diagnosis and a cure. It's up to you to take advantage of it.