Changing hormones not only affect women in terms of perimenopause and menopause, they affect the male population too.
Andropause, also known as male menopause, is when the levels of androgen or testosterone, the male hormone, begins to decline in men with age. This is also referred to as low testosterone.
Production of testosterone reduces with aging; however, it can also be caused due to health conditions such as diabetes.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is essentially the male hormone that is responsible for the deep voice, muscle, and body and facial hair in men. It is also responsible for normal sexual functions, the formation of bones, metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, proper functioning of the prostate gland and liver in men. As men grow older, the testosterone levels and sperm production by the body reduce and due to this, men experience both physical, as well as, psychological symptoms.
In the case of women, when menopause occurs, the production of the female hormone completely stops, whereas, in men, the decline in testosterone production is much slower and gradual and the testosterone production does not stop completely. If a man is healthy, he can produce sperm up to 80 years or even later. Around 30% of men who are in their 50s experience the symptoms of andropause, which is caused due to the low levels of testosterone.
Although the most important factor for andropause is the decrease in production of testosterone, this is not the only reason. Another hormone known as SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) starts increasing. This hormone pulls the usable testosterone from the blood. The testosterone that is not bound to the SHBG hormone is known as bioavailable testosterone i.e. it can be used by the body.
Men experiencing andropause have less amount of bioavailable testosterone in the blood, which means that the tissues using testosterone get a reduced amount of the hormone, causing the various physical, mental and emotional changes.
Changing hormones not only affect women in terms of perimenopause and menopause, they affect the male population too.
Andropause, also known as male menopause, is when the levels of androgen or testosterone, the male hormone, begins to decline in men with age. This is also referred to as low testosterone.
Production of testosterone reduces with aging; however, it can also be caused due to health conditions such as diabetes.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is essentially the male hormone that is responsible for the deep voice, muscle, and body and facial hair in men. It is also responsible for normal sexual functions, the formation of bones, metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, proper functioning of the prostate gland and liver in men. As men grow older, the testosterone levels and sperm production by the body reduce and due to this, men experience both physical, as well as, psychological symptoms.
In the case of women, when menopause occurs, the production of the female hormone completely stops, whereas, in men, the decline in testosterone production is much slower and gradual and the testosterone production does not stop completely. If a man is healthy, he can produce sperm up to 80 years or even later. Around 30% of men who are in their 50s experience the symptoms of andropause, which is caused due to the low levels of testosterone.
Although the most important factor for andropause is the decrease in production of testosterone, this is not the only reason. Another hormone known as SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) starts increasing. This hormone pulls the usable testosterone from the blood. The testosterone that is not bound to the SHBG hormone is known as bioavailable testosterone i.e. it can be used by the body.
Men experiencing andropause have less amount of bioavailable testosterone in the blood, which means that the tissues using testosterone get a reduced amount of the hormone, causing the various physical, mental and emotional changes.
Some of the common symptoms of andropause, including the decline in testosterone are:
Other physical, psychological and sexual problems associated with andropause that can become worse with age are:
A person having andropause can have many other symptoms associated with this condition like reduction in testicle size, tender or swollen breasts and loss of body hair and can be at risk of other serious health conditions such as osteoporosis (brittle bones) and cardiovascular problems.
A poor diet can be a major cause for andropause. So, make sure that you follow a nutritious and balanced diet.
Men above 50 years of age should follow the daily calorie guidelines.
You must avoid foods that cause weight gain and hormone imbalance that precipitate the symptoms of andropause.
If the various options don’t work out for you in managing your andropause symptoms, then you must not hesitate to consult your doctor. Your doctor may be able to suggest more effective solutions for your problem and may even recommend HRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy).
Some of the common symptoms of andropause, including the decline in testosterone are:
Other physical, psychological and sexual problems associated with andropause that can become worse with age are:
A person having andropause can have many other symptoms associated with this condition like reduction in testicle size, tender or swollen breasts and loss of body hair and can be at risk of other serious health conditions such as osteoporosis (brittle bones) and cardiovascular problems.
A poor diet can be a major cause for andropause. So, make sure that you follow a nutritious and balanced diet.
Men above 50 years of age should follow the daily calorie guidelines.
You must avoid foods that cause weight gain and hormone imbalance that precipitate the symptoms of andropause.
If the various options don’t work out for you in managing your andropause symptoms, then you must not hesitate to consult your doctor. Your doctor may be able to suggest more effective solutions for your problem and may even recommend HRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy).