Andropause and Low Testosterone                                                

"The Male counterpart to Menopause"

As men age, their levels of testosterone begin to decline, usually beginning around the mid-40s. This heralds what is commonly known as andropause, the male counterpart to menopause.

While this is a natural part of aging, the decline in testosterone production by the testes can be more precipitous in some men than others. Excessive weight gain, stress, lack of exercise, and many medications further contribute to a man’s ability to manufacture testosterone, resulting in even lower testosterone levels and leading to symptoms of andropause.

 These symptoms may include low libido, irritability, depression, loss of muscle mass and strength, weight gain, metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, sleep disturbances, osteoporosis, and adverse changes in the blood lipid profile. Symptoms of androgen deficiency and low testosterone levels are used to establish a diagnosis of hypogonadism. This low testosterone was found to increase significantly with age in Study.

However, while this is certainly an option, the solution to the problem may not be a simple case of restoring testosterone levels. For example, some find that testosterone therapy may be of little benefit unless problems affecting cortisol production are addressed first. The body’s response to stress is mediated by increased cortisol production, and this prepares the body for “fight or flight” by shutting down other processes, including testosterone production. Correcting disorders such as adrenal fatigue or chronic stress may therefore lead to improved testosterone levels and resolve symptoms, without requiring testosterone therapy.