Andropause FAQ

What is Andropause?
You may be wondering what causes andropause.  It’s a natural emotional and physical change that occurs as you get older and it’s caused by a decrease in male hormones. Symptoms of andropause include: low sex drive, difficulties getting erections or erections that aren't as strong as usual, lack of energy, depression, irritability and mood swings, loss of strength or muscle mass, increased body fat and hot flashes.

What are the Symptoms of Andropause?
Andropause is a condition that can happen as you get older, and it has a gradual progression. You might detect the onset of andropause if any or all of these occur:

  • Diminished sex drive and erections not as strong as they were.  Nocturnal erections don’t happen as often.
  • Mood changes. 
  • Lean body mass reduces along with muscle mass and strength.
  • A loss of body hair.
  • Bone density decreases resulting in osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis can lead to the occurrence of bone fractures and breaks.
  • An increase in fat around internal organs.

Understand that these are symptom guidelines.  Andropause affects different men in different ways and to different degrees.  Some men get one or two of these symptoms, and may just notice the other symptoms occurring minimally or not at all.

One of the best and simplest ways to detect whether you might have andropause is by taking the ADAM Questionnaire on this site.  Now, just because you have some of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have andropause.  It could be some other cause, so a blood test is the best way to make a diagnosis. 

What Causes Andropause?
If you have andropause you may be wondering how you got it.  Other factors may be contributors, but the primary one is that as men get older, their testes don’t work as well.  Something called “leydic cells” produce testosterone less frequently and in a lesser quantity. 

Other reasons are that the hormones that produce testosterone just aren’t creating as much and some of that testosterone is being converted to other hormones like estradiol and DHT.

How is Andropause Diagnosed?
You usually detect andropause by its symptoms, therefore, in order to get a full understanding as to whether you fall into this category, you’ll undergo a couple of screening procedures to aid in proper diagnosis, including:

What are the Treatment Goals?
First, know that treatment for andropause is often very effective. The objectives of your treatment include restoration of sexual functioning, increased libido, increased sense of well-being, prevention of osteoporosis by optimizing bone density, restoration of muscle strength and improved mental functioning.

 

To learn more about testosterone therapy, please call Dr. Werner's office at (646) 380-2700 in NYC, (914) 997-4100 in Westchester, or (203) 831-9900 in Connecticut, or send us an email at info@wernermd.com.

 

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