Andropause

Andropause is a group of symptoms occurring in men after middle age due to the gradual decline in the production of androgenic hormones, especially testosterone.

Testosterone is known as the ‘male’ hormone, the hormone that gives assertiveness, sex drive, mental and physical energy. It also maintains muscle and bone growth. Click here to learn more about testosterone.

Symptoms of Andropause

Loss of libido and potency
Erectile Dysfunction
Nervousness
Depression
Fatigue
Loss of muscle mass
Loss of memory
Inability to concentrate
Insomnia
Increased breast tissue (caused by higher than normal estrogen levels)
Hot flushes and sweating (caused by higher than normal estrogen levels)

Low Testosterone can be Related to High Estrogen

At the same time that testosterone levels decrease, estrogen levels often increase. This may be caused by the increased activity of aromatase (the enzyme which converts testosterone to estrogen). Estrogen is known as a major ‘female’ hormone and therefore increased estrogen in males is not healthy. It usually causes estrogen dominance symptoms such as lower libido, increased breast tissue and tenderness. To help increase testosterone (by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme), ensure zinc levels are adequate and supplement if required. In addition chrysin supplementation could be considered.

Testosterone supplementation therapy has been shown to:

Improve libido [1]
Enhance erectile function [2-4]
Increase muscle strength and decrease body fat [5-8]
Increase bone mineral density [8, 9]
Improve energy, mood and depression [10-12]
Enhance physical performance and strength [13, 14]
Lower total cholesterol for the prevention of heart disease [15]

Click here to find out about standard doses of testosterone supplementation.

References

1. Yassin, A.A. and F. Saad, Improvement of sexual function in men with late-onset hypogonadism treated with testosterone only. J Sex Med, 2007. 4(2): p. 497-501.
2. Seftel, A.D., et al., Restorative increases in serum testosterone levels are significantly correlated to improvements in sexual functioning. J Androl, 2004. 25(6): p. 963-72.
3. Kalinchenko, S., et al., [Efficacy and safety of hormonal therapy with androgens (androgel) in men with erectile dysfunction, partial androgen deficiency of aging male and cardiovascular diseases]. Urologiia, 2007(1): p. 57, 59-61.
4. Chiang, H.S., et al., Transdermal testosterone gel increases serum testosterone levels in hypogonadal men in Taiwan with improvements in sexual function. Int J Impot Res, 2007. 19(4): p. 411-7.
5. Urban, R.J., et al., Testosterone administration to elderly men increases skeletal muscle strength and protein synthesis. Am J Physiol, 1995. 269(5 Pt 1): p. E820-6.
6. Wittert, G.A., et al., Oral testosterone supplementation increases muscle and decreases fat mass in healthy elderly males with low-normal gonadal status. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2003. 58(7): p. 618-25.
7. Herbst, K.L. and S. Bhasin, Testosterone action on skeletal muscle. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care, 2004. 7(3): p. 271-7.
8. Ottenbacher, K.J., et al., Androgen treatment and muscle strength in elderly men: A meta-analysis. J Am Geriatr Soc, 2006. 54(11): p. 1666-73.
9. Katznelson, L., et al., Increase in bone density and lean body mass during testosterone administration in men with acquired hypogonadism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1996. 81(12): p. 4358-65.
10. Wang, C., et al., Transdermal testosterone gel improves sexual function, mood, muscle strength, and body composition parameters in hypogonadal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2000. 85(8): p. 2839-53.
11. Zitzmann, M., Testosterone and the brain. Aging Male, 2006. 9(4): p. 195-9.
12. Kumano, H., [Hormone replacement Up-to-date. The effects of androgen replacement therapy on brain function]. Clin Calcium, 2007. 17(9): p. 1378-83.
13. Li, H.J., et al., [A tentative research of testosterone supplement therapy on male senile dementia]. Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue, 2003. 9(3): p. 193-6.
14. Page, S.T., et al., Exogenous testosterone (T) alone or with finasteride increases physical performance, grip strength, and lean body mass in older men with low serum T. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2005. 90(3): p. 1502-10.
15. Zgliczynski, S., et al., Effect of testosterone replacement therapy on lipids and lipoproteins in hypogonadal and elderly men. Atherosclerosis, 1996. 121(1): p. 35-43.