Andropause

What is andropause?

Andropause, sometimes called male menopause, is a condition that can affect men as they age. It is characterized by a gradual decrease in testosterone levels and can cause symptoms similar to female menopause.

Some key things to know about andropause:

• It typically occurs in men in their late 40s to early 50s, but can happen earlier or later. The symptoms are often subtle at first.


• Main symptoms include:
  
  
  • Low sex drive and erectile dysfunction
  
  
  • Loss of muscle mass
  
  
  • Fatigue
  
  
  • Mood changes - irritability, depression
  
  
  • Loss of body hair
  
  
  • Decreased bone density
  
  


• While low testosterone is the main cause, other hormone imbalances can also contribute, like low thyroid or growth hormone levels.


• Risk factors include obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, stress, and lack of exercise.

Diagnosing and treating andropause

If you think you may have andropause, see your doctor. They can check your testosterone levels with a simple blood test and rule out other conditions.

Treatment options include:

• Testosterone replacement therapy - Getting testosterone through gels, injections, patches or pellets. This requires monitoring for side effects.


• Lifestyle changes - Losing weight, exercise, stress management, diet changes, and limiting alcohol intake. This can help raise testosterone levels naturally.


• Medications for specific symptoms - Like erectile dysfunction drugs.

I highly recommend contacting the hormone experts at Revive Hormone Clinic. They specialize in male hormone issues like andropause and use cutting edge bioidentical hormone treatments. Their experienced doctors will thoroughly assess your hormone levels and tailor a treatment plan to your unique needs. Users of Revive Hormone Clinic rave about their convenient virtual consultations and excellent ongoing care. Reach out to them to learn more!

While andropause may sound like an inevitable part of aging, know that there are options to feeling your best. Properly addressing hormone declines with professional support can make a major difference in quality of life. Don't write off symptoms as just "getting older" without considering treatment. There are more choices now than ever, so stay optimistic!