As men age, physical changes occur. Although not comparable to menopause in women, the term "male menopause" has surfaced to draw attention to this condition. Often under-diagnosed, health advocacy and education continue to inform health professionals of the hormonal changes in aging men.
Comparison
Even though men go through an aging process, equating the hormonal and physical changes with menopause is not entirely accurate. According to the Mayo Clinic, menopause marks the end of ovulation in females. In women, hormone production significantly decreases over a short period of time. Alternatively, men may experience a drop in hormone production, more specifically testosterone, but this event occurs gradually over a longer period of time. Physical and mental changes happen, but in subtle ways.
Testosterone and Aging
The Mayo Clinic says younger men tend to have greater testosterone levels than older men. After age 30, testosterone levels decline at about 1 percent per year. Even though a decrease in testosterone is normal in males, certain specific conditions result in lower testosterone levels, such as obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, men should seek regular physical exams, discussing areas of concern with the physician.
Effects of Testosterone Deficiency
Several side effects occur due to low testosterone production levels, one of which is metabolic syndrome. An article in Missouri Medicine describes metabolic syndrome as the condition in which an individual acquires insulin resistance. This abnormality may lead to type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Other side effects of testosterone deficiency include reduced libido, loss of energy, joint pain, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, frailty, Alzheimer's disease and reduced life expectancy.
Diagnosis of Andropause
Because male menopause is considered a dishonest term to describe the changes in men due to the aging process, many health professionals use the term "andropause" to identify this condition ("andro-" is a Latin prefix meaning "male"). Andropause, a commonly under-diagnosed condition, contains vague symptoms that are shared with other diseases, but the medical community has become better at identifying andropause. In addition, new lab tests are available, so men should speak with their physician about andropause concerns.
Treatment
Testosterone replacement therapy is one way to treat andropause. However, not all men are candidates for this treatment option. For example, men who have or have had breast or prostate cancer are not candidates for testosterone replacement therapy. Men who have had liver disease, heart disease, edema, enlargement of the prostate, kidney disease or diabetes will need to seek physician approval before beginning treatment. Ideal responses to testosterone replacement therapy include improved sleep, libido, sexual performance, physical energy, sense of well-being and muscle strength.
