Andropause and Testosterone

Andropause is the equivalent of female menopausem with it is actually possible to have a reduction in the production of male testosterone; but unlike female menopause, the man maintains his reproductive capacity.

More formally, we refer to PADAM (Partial Androgen Deficiency of Aging Male) or ADAM (Androgen Deficiency of Aging Male).

Andropause does not have a precise age of manifestation, though natural aging represents a risk factor itself. It is ordinarily found in men over 60, in conjunction with other factors such as being overweight, physical inactivity, and a physiological decline in testosterone production.  In particular, weight and testosterone level appear to be correlated in the manifestation of andropause. The more the excess weight, the lower the testosterone levels and the higher the chance of developing this particular hormonal condition. This precise notion has led experts to define every occurence of the phenomenon with the term androgen deficiency syndrome in old age, rather than andropause.

The symptoms of andropause are closely correlated to the production of testosterone. The reduction of the testicles due to age and the lower capacity of Leydig cells to produce this hormone affect the severity of the manifested symptoms. The symptoms are quite varied because testosterone does not act only on the sexual level in men, but is of direct influence in the metabolic, cardiovascular, locomotor, mental, behavioral and social dynamics of the individual.

This means that among the verifiable symptoms we also find some irritability, a natural decline in cognitive function, albeit slight, and fragility of the bones.  Yet it is possible to encounter weakness, loss of muscle strength, feeling of 

fatigue, decreased muscle mass, hair loss, abdominal obesity, depression and anxiety, and erectile problems from decreased libido.

The process of these symptoms’ manifestation is very long and varied. A simple examination to test the level of testosterone in the blood is often insufficient to allow for a precise diagnosis of andropause.

A healthier lifestyle, characterized by moderate exercise and a balanced diet, can help men to better address this hormonal condition.

In this case, a substitutive treatment with testosterone for a short period of time may be useful. Testosterone is the primary male hormone, essential for the development of sexual characteristics and the genital system. It is involved in metabolism and is used to cure genital and hormonal pathologies.

Testosterone is available in capsules, ampoules for intramuscular injection, gel, and transdermal delivery patches. The capsules do not guarantee a steady concentration in the blood. The patches are considered the simplest way to take testosterone in, but they involve costs.

The testosterone gel formulation would seem reproduce the circadian rhythm of testosterone secretion.

During the first year of testosterone therapy, patients in treatment should undergo medical checkups every three months. The clinical examination should include the evaluation of the prostate via the rectum. It is contraindicated in cases of suspected or ascertained prostate cancer and male breast cancer.