Andropause

What Is Andropause?

Beginning in their early to mid-30s, many men begin to notice the gradual onset of unpleasant symptoms like loss of energy, reduced mood, and weight gain. For millions of men, these symptoms often go undiagnosed. Instead, they are told to accept their symptoms as their new normal.

In fact, this change is typically caused by age-related loss of the hormones testosterone and DHEA. The medical name for this condition is andropause, or androgen deficiency of the aging male (ADAM). It is also sometimes referred to as late onset hypogonadism.

It is estimated that nearly 40% of men 45 years of age or older—or about 5 million American men in 2015—are suffering from andropause. This number is expected to rise to 6.5 million by 2025.

It is estimated that nearly 40% of men 45 years of age or older—or about 5 million American men in 2015—are suffering from andropause. This number is expected to rise to 6.5 million by 2025.

Causes of Andropause

Andropause can be difficult to detect because of its slow onset. In most men, testosterone levels naturally begin to decline 1-2% per year beginning at the age of 30. This natural, age-related decline is caused by:

A decrease in luteinizing hormone (LH) production by the pituitary gland. LH is the hormone that signals the testicles to produce testosterone.
A decrease in testicular response to luteinizing hormone (LH).
An increase in production of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG binds to testosterone with high affinity, resulting in less total testosterone being available for the body to use.

Symptoms of Andropause

The symptoms of andropause tend to come on slowly, as hormone levels gradually drop. As a result of this slow decline, many men do not recognize their condition and think it’s just “part of aging.” It doesn’t have to be.

The symptoms of andropause and the severity of these symptoms vary from man to man. Some men will experience severe disruptions in their quality of life, while others will have only minor and annoying symptoms. Regardless of symptom presence or severity, andropause is a medical condition that causes many health problems and should be treated.

Some of the most common symptoms associated with andropause include:

If you are suffering from symptoms related to andropause, it’s important to visit a qualified physician who can diagnose and treat the condition. Left untreated, andopause raises your risk of multiple serious and chronic diseases, including:

Metabolic Syndrome. Andropause raises the risk of the metabolic syndrome, which includes:

Heart Disease. Low testosterone is closely linked to multiple risk factors for heart disease, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol, and others.
Mental Decline. Men suffering from andropause are at increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and depression. They also frequently suffer from reduced memory and problems concentrating.
Osteoporosis. Andropause significantly increases the risk of hip fractures and other broken bones. Many studies have shown that bone fractures in the elderly is closely linked to increased risk of death (50% of elderly die within a year of a hip fracture).
Decreased muscle strength. Low testosterone is linked to loss of muscle mass, which increases the risk of falling injuries.
Increased inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for virtually all chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Diagnosis of Andropause

Andropause is diagnosed through a combination of lab work and excluding other diseases. The criteria for diagnosing andropause include:

1. Low testosterone (measured by blood work)

• Total testosterone
• Free testosterone

2. There is no other known cause for the low testosterone

• No pituitary disease
• No testicular disease

3. Presence of symptoms of andropause

Your Solution: Natural Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Men

Unfortunately, andropause is one of the most undertreated medical conditions in the country. Many men assume their symptoms are just “a part of getting older.” In too many other cases, they are told nothing can be done to improve their symptoms, or their testosterone deficiency is never even diagnosed.

The fact is, most physicians are not trained to recognize and treat low testosterone. Instead, many men are misdiagnosed and given an expensive prescription that will only treat their symptoms and possibly cause side effects. This includes men who are prescribed Viagra for erectile dysfunction or antidepressants for depression, both of which can be caused by low testosterone.

If you suspect you are suffering from andropause or testosterone deficiency, you should visit a qualified physician. If test results confirm andropause, the gold-standard treatment is natural testosterone replacement therapy and hormone balancing. This therapy has been shown to:

• Reverse the symptoms of andropause
• Significantly improve health and prevent chronic disease and illness
• Natural testosterone replacement therapy for men can be administered through injection, cream, pill, or by pellets inserted under the skin.Call Genemedics Health Institute today to learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for men and schedule your initial consultation. All of our programs are based on extensive personal testing, administered by an experienced expert in hormone replacement therapy for men, and include an exercise and nutrition program as well as a supplement program. Our doctors are among the most experienced in the nation in bioidentical hormone therapy.