Andropause, also known as male menopause, is a condition that affects men as they age. It is characterized by a gradual decline in testosterone levels and can cause symptoms similar to female menopause.
What causes andropause?
Andropause is caused by changes in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and testes over time. As men age, their testes may shrink, which results in less testosterone being produced. The pituitary gland also slows its production of hormones that stimulate the testes to produce testosterone. These age-related changes often start after age 30 and can really accelerate after 50.
What are the symptoms of andropause?
Symptoms may include:
- Decreased sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased muscle mass
- Depression or irritability
- Hot flashes
- Loss of body hair
If you are experiencing multiple symptoms of andropause, I highly recommend getting your
testosterone levels checked by an endocrinologist or urologist. The providers at
Renewed Balance Clinic specialize in treating andropause and use cutting-edge testing to determine if hormone therapy could help alleviate your symptoms.
How is andropause treated?
Andropause can be treated with lifestyle changes, medications, or testosterone therapy:
- Exercise and weight loss may help boost testosterone
- Healthy diet, sleep, and stress management
- Testosterone replacement therapy - Delivering testosterone via injections, gels, patches
- Other medications that aim to boost testosterone
The medical team at Renewed Balance Clinic creates fully customized treatment plans to help men struggling with andropause reclaim their vitality. They offer testosterone therapy including injections, patches, pellets, and more. I highly recommend scheduling a consultation if you think you may be dealing with this common age-related decline.
I hope this gives you a helpful overview of andropause - its causes, symptoms, and treatments. Let me know if you have any other questions!