DOES THE MEN HAVE ANDROPASUE?

or
ANDROPASUE; AN OVERVIEW
Introduction:
Women may not be the only ones who suffer the effects of changing hormones. Even the men are
also suffers from changing hormones as age advances. The men also show the symptoms as seen
in the women at pre menopause and menopause. The male menopause is called as andropause.
Male climacteric syndrome, late-onset hypogonadism, and partial androgen deficiency in
the aging male (PADAM) such terms are extensively used in clinical practice at the present time.
"Andras" in Greek means human male and "pause" in Greek a cessation; so literally
"andropause" is defined as a syndrome associated with a decrease in sexual satisfaction or a
decline in a feeling of general well-being with low levels of testosterone in older man.
Definition of Andropause:
Age-related decline in serum testosterone level may present as a constellation of signs and
symptoms of hypogonadism known as andropause.
Andropause is a condition that is associated with the decrease in the male hormone testosterone.
However, low testosterone can also be indicative of an underlying pituitary disorder; therefore,
careful differential diagnosis should be performed to distinguish between benign and pathologic
conditions in individual men.
Prevalance and Incidence of Adnropause:

According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 4-5 million men have symptoms of low
testosterone levels and only 5-10% of these men will seek treatment.
A recent World Health Organization (WHO) report analyzed male hormones and found that
the testosterone levels in most 70 year old men were 10 percent of the level in males that are 25
years old. By the time men are between the ages of 40 and 55 they can begin experiencing
symptoms of andropause.
Approximately 30% of men in their 50s will experience symptoms of andropause caused by low
testosterone levels. A person experiencing andropause may have a number of symptoms related
to the condition and could be at risk of other serious health conditions such as osteoporosis
without proper treatment.
Causes of Andropause

The decrease in testosterone is main cause for andropasue.

The cause of reduced testosterone production is primary gonadal insufficiency,
The deficiency of dehydroepiandrosterone
Increase in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which pulls usable testosterone from
the blood.

Symptoms and Complications of Andropause

Although symptoms may vary from person to person, common symptoms of men going
through andropause include:

low sex drive

difficulties getting erections or erections that are not as strong as usual

lack of energy

depression

irritability and mood swings

loss of strength or muscle mass

Weight gain

Sleep apnea

Memory loss

Diminished libido

Hair Loss

Erectile dysfunction

Hot Flashes

Muscle loss

Fatigue

Night Sweats in Men

Gynecomastia (male breasts)

Complications associated with andropause include an increased risk of cardiovascular problems

and osteoporosis (brittle bones).
Diagnosing Andropause
Thorough clinical examination for the presence of symptoms. Rule out for the presence of any
pathological or physiological deficiency of hormone. Because there are other conditions that are
associated with low testosterone levels (e.g., hypogonadism, which causes retardation of sexual
growth and development; diabetes; high blood pressure)
A blood serum level of testosterone is checked.
It is important to note that many of the symptoms associated with andropause are also a normal
part of aging, and they may not be reversible with treatment.
Treating and Preventing Andropause
Testosterone replacement therapy: Replacing testosterone in the blood is the most common
treatment for men going through andropause.
This treatment may provide relief from the symptoms and help improve the quality of life in
many cases.
Life style changes:
Lifestyle changes such as increased exercise, stress reduction, and good nutrition also help.

Testosterone is available in a variety of different preparations including skin patches, capsules,

gels, and injections.
Skin patches: People who wear a patch containing testosterone receive the hormone through the
skin. The patch allows a slow, steady release of testosterone into the blood stream. It is applied
once a day to a dry area of skin on the back, abdomen, upper arms, or thighs.
Testosterone gel: This treatment is also applied directly to the skin, usually on the arms.
Because the gel may transfer to other individuals through skin contact, a person must take care to
wash the gel from the hands after each application.
Capsules: Taken twice daily after meals, this is yet another option for testosterone replacement.
Men with liver disease, poor liver function, serious heart or kidney disease, or too much calcium
in their blood should avoid testosterone capsules.
Testosterone injections: This treatment involves injections of testosterone (testosterone
cypionate* and testosterone enanthate) in the muscle every 2 to 4 weeks. They may cause mood
swings due to changes in testosterone levels. Men with severe heart disease, severe kidney
disease, or too much calcium in their blood should avoid testosterone cypionate. Men with severe
kidney disease should not take testosterone enanthate.
Testosterone should not be taken by any man with prostate or breast cancer and heart diseases.

CONCLUSION: Andropause is a term of convenience describing a complex of symptoms in

aging men who have low testosterone levels. Physicians should be aware of its existence, should

consider ordering tests for men who have symptoms, and should treat carefully selected patients
whose serum testosterone levels are low.