Andropause, also referred to as male menopause, is the result of a gradual decline in testosterone. There are many reasons that contribute to andropause. Andropause is mostly caused by the reduction of hormones in men namely testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone. The condition occurs in middle-aged men.
Men do not go through a period called menopause so doctors call this problem as an androgen (testosterone) reduction in the aging males. When males experience a decline in the testosterone, it is something that causes the hormones to decline, in general, leading to a condition called andropause.
Diagnosis
Andropause or male menopause is something that is diagnosed over time. For its diagnosis, the doctor will perform a physical exam or even ask you about the symptoms. Moreover, in most cases, the doctor will order tests in order to rule out the medical problems that contribute to the condition. Other blood tests might also be ordered which might include measuring the testosterone level in the body.
Causes
The decrease in the testosterone is usually an important factor in men who are suspected of having the andropause.
As men start to age, it does not just make their body start producing less testosterone but it also effects the levels of other hormones called sex hormones that bind globulin, which pulls the usable testosterone from the blood when it starts to increase.
The binding globulin, also known as SHBG, works to pull the usable testosterone from the blood when it starts to increase. The SHBG binds some of the testosterone present in the blood. The testosterone that is bound to the SHBG hormone is also called bio available testosterone, which means it can be used by the body.
Treatment
The most common way to go treat andropause is to replace the testosterone in the blood.
This treatment works to provide relief from symptoms and it also helps in changing and improving the quality of life of people in most cases.
Moreover, there are other adjustments that are also made to see how you can work to treat andropause. For instance, your doctor will assist you and tell you to start doing exercises because certain lifestyle changes can work to reduce stress. Good nutrition can also help with andropause.
The doctor will ultimately decide if the testosterone treatment in the situation is right or whether the treatment has any risks or not. In addition, to improve the level of testosterone in the body, the doctor may also resort to other measures such as skin patches, capsules, testosterone gel and testosterone injections to help improve and increase your testosterone levels to the normal state.
DISCLAIMER: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.