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Does Andropause Really Exist?
Andropause, also known as ADAM (androgen decline in the aging male) is
a medical phenomenon, similar to the female menopause, which can affect
men beginning with the age of 45. Unlike women, men do not have a
clear-cut signpost such as the cessation of menstruation to mark this
transition. But in both cases, the condition is distinguished by a drop
of hormone levels. Estrogen in the female, testosterone in the male.
The drop in testosterone levels results in muscle and bone weakness,
weight gains, decreased sex drive and changes in the functioning of
the testicles.
The term "andropause" is not new. It was first used in medical literature
during the 1940s. What is new is the ability to properly diagnose it.
Andropause has gone through a period of underdiagnosing and undertreatement. But now that men's life expectancy has grown, we are witnessing increased interest for this phenomenon.
However, this condition has produced one of the biggest controversies in modern medicine. Does andropause really exist or is it just a bad way of explaining the crisis of middle age men? And if it does exist what are the symptoms that should be taken into account when diagnosing and treating the condition? The issue is still furiously debated by doctors.
Controversies come from the fact that there is no clear-cut physical symptom (like the ceasing of menstruation in women) to mark the beginning of andropause. The absence of such a symptom leaves doctors with no clue towards what is happening to a man. Unlike menopause, men's transition may be much more gradual and expand over a few decades. Its onset may be triggered by stress, medications, alcohol, injuries or surgery, obesity and others.
A drop in testosterone level will eventually occur in all men, but not in all of them the symptoms are so severe as to make them seek medical help. There is no way of predicting who will suffer from severe andropausal symptoms and at what age. Also the symptoms may be different from man to man.
Precisely because symptoms are so different, andropause is quite difficult
to diagnose. Some men find it difficult to admit they have a problem and
medical doctors do not always find testosterone level to be the culprit
for weak muscles, absence of the libido, mood changes. They usually blame
it on other conditions such as depression, stress, or simply ageing.
Fortunately, recent developments in medicine have provided a number of
tests that measure bioavailable testosterone levels.
Andropause treatment options include testosterone replacing therapy,
which can be highly effective in men who have been diagnosed with
andropause. Those who go through testosterone replacing should expect
to notice: increased energy, improved quality of sleep, improved libido
and sexual performance, decline in fat mass, increase in muscle strength.
However, there are some conditions, such as male breast cancer and prostate
cancer, in which testosterone replacing therapy cannot be used.
Men who suffer from liver and kidney disease, enlarged prostate,
diabetes and edema should discuss the condition with their doctor,
who will decide whether or not testosterone replacing therapy is
a solution.
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