What is andropause?
Contents
- What is andropause
- At what age does andropause occurs
- Symptoms: how the andropause manifests itself
- How is it diagnosed
- People at risk and risk factors
- Cause dell’andropausa
- Solutions and treatments
- Solutions without treatment
- The treatments available
- Prevention
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Avoid sources of stress
- Follow a balanced diet
- Stay active
- Get enough sleep
- Follow-up
Andropause, also known as “male menopause”, occurs when hormone levels, especially testosterone, decline with age. This happens naturally in men 30 and older, and some men become symptomatic when their testosterone levels drop below a critical level. The level varies for each man, so it’s important to pay close attention to behavior changes and physical symptoms.
The most common symptoms of andropause are:
- Tiredness, fatigue or “burnout syndrome” (decreased desire and ambition);
- Decreased strength and lean body mass;
- irritable;
- Difficulty sleeping well
- Decreased libido
- Memory loss;
- Erectile dysfunction;
- Decreased morning erections and decreased erection strength;
- Depression.
At what age andropause occurs
Testosterone levels gradually decline with age, to the extent of about 1% per year after age 30 on average.
The age at which symptoms of andropause begin to be recognized varies from man to man, just like the stage of development.
Low testosterone levels have been associated with weakened bones, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, decreased sex drive and muscle loss in aging men.
As testosterone decreases and as we age, diseases affecting the testes, pituitary gland and hypothalamus also increase, which can cause reductions in testosterone production.
Various genetic conditions can also affect testosterone levels. If your testosterone levels are too low, your doctor will ask you to undergo further tests to look for causes.
Decreased testosterone levels can also be a complication of prolonged use of opioids and steroids. Stopping their use can correct testosterone levels. Symptoms: how andropause manifests
As we have already mentioned, the symptoms of andropause can be:
- Decrease in muscle mass;
- irritable;
- Cognitive changes, which can include difficulty concentrating
- Depression.
If your doctor suspects your testosterone levels are low, a simple blood test can help. But as testosterone levels fluctuate widely throughout the day, a single test may not be able to diagnose testosterone deficiency. Generally, the acceptable range of levels is between 250-1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng / dL) for total testosterone.
When the symptoms of andropause become too severe, many men turn to testosterone supplements, which not only bring the hormone levels back to normal, but also improve mood, energy levels, muscle strength and health. of the bones. How is it diagnosed
Male menopause can cause physical, sexual and psychological problems, as we have seen, so it is very important to prevent it as much as you can, and when the time comes to seek medical advice. Generally, doctors prescribe tests, such as:
The determination of Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), which allows to control the level of this natural steroid hormone which serves as a precursor of male and female sex hormones. DHEAS is also associated with the immune response and stress.
The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) measurement tests your levels of the FSH hormone which increases during the andropause. FSH is responsible for stimulating egg maturation and the production of estradiol, another hormone belonging to the estrogen family.
Testosterone blood test that checks testosterone levels, which can affect sexual libido, cause erectile dysfunction and infertility in men. Testosterone is not just a sex hormone. Low testosterone levels can affect sex drive, mood, quality of life and sleep, as well as bone density, muscle mass and strength.
The luteinizing hormone (LH) test measures the level of this hormone in the blood, which is important for male and female fertility. LH helps regulate menstruation and ovulation in women, while LH stimulates testosterone production in men.
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) looks for this protein produced by the liver which is critical in regulating the amount of unbound steroids, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estrogen, but especially testosterone in the blood. The SHBG test can be used to help assess testosterone level. People at risk and risk factors
Also in this case, those who have always lived by adopting a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, eating in a balanced way, etc., will have fewer or less pronounced symptoms.
The risk factors are mainly diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, along with some bad habits such as smoking and alcohol. Causes of Andropause
Testosterone is one of the male sex hormones responsible for the development of male characteristics. During puberty, testosterone initiates penile and testicular development, facial and pubic hair growth, muscle mass and strength gains, and height growth.
In adult males, testosterone is involved in the maintenance of sexual desire, the production of sperm cells, muscle mass and bone mass.
As men age, their testosterone production naturally decreases. But this age-related hormonal decline is far less dramatic in men than in women. During menopause, the production of estrogen and progesterone drops sharply in women, while the drop in testosterone in men is much more gradual. Solutions and Treatments
First, the complete picture of the patient’s health needs to be assessed, with appropriate blood tests and information on lifestyle and personal circumstances.
If a hormone imbalance is diagnosed, a personalized testosterone therapy treatment plan, with or without DHEA, is prescribed.
Specific vitamins are also often prescribed to optimize the treatment plan. This will reduce the symptoms. Solutions without treatment
For solutions without treatment, we refer you to the paragraph on prevention, a little further down.
Obviously, adopting a healthy lifestyle will help you prevent symptoms and alleviate them.
It is recommended to play sports regularly, eat well, do not abuse alcohol, sleep well and get enough, avoid stress. The treatments available
There are several methods of treating andropause, and most refer to clinically low testosterone levels in otherwise healthy men. Generally, testosterone supplements are recommended, which allow you to:
- Increase sexual desire;
- Restore erectile function;
- Improve mood;
- Increase bone density;
- Increase muscle mass.
Prevention
Of course, all men experience a gradual decline in their testosterone levels after age 30. This is quite normal. But for some men, this phenomenon causes symptoms that can disrupt their daily life, as we have seen. However, it is possible to prevent or improve these symptoms by minimizing the drop in testosterone levels by following these tips. Moderate Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol lowers blood testosterone levels, which can have negative, sometimes long-term effects on your sex drive and erectile function. Alcohol consumption for men should not exceed 15 drinks per week spread over 7 days, ie 3 drinks per day. Avoid sources of stress
Stress releases cortisol, a hormone that reduces testosterone production. Learn to relax with breathing exercises and meditation in times of high stress. Eat a balanced diet
Make sure you eat a balanced diet. The proportion of fat, sugar (source of energy) and protein you take affects your testosterone levels. Make sure you are getting enough nutrients like zinc (red meats, mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, etc.), omega-3s (nuts, canola oil, salmon, sardines, chia seeds, etc.), vitamin D and calcium (dairy products , soy drinks, etc.). Avoid too sweet or salty foods, caffeine and bad fats which can cause the body to slow down by preventing hormone production. Stay active
Doing thirty minutes or more of strenuous physical activity will encourage your body to produce testosterone. So it is recommended to stay active and regularly practice a sport, such as new, or weight training, or any other sport that uses most of the muscles in the body, to promote testosterone production.
Exercise is also the best way to stay healthy. Get enough sleep
Testosterone is mainly produced during REM sleep, so it’s important to get a full night’s sleep – eight hours straight. If you have trouble falling asleep, ask your doctor for advice. Follow up
After diagnosis, it is very important to be followed up by your doctor. Subsequent visits are essential to understand if the recommended treatment is bearing fruit; if not, you need to change your approach or medicine.
