andropause

Andropause

Did you previously know that andropause (Male Menopause) is a real matter? This term came to describe the period a man is going through from hormonal changes with age. And in this article, we will get to know more about this topic.

What is Andropause (Male Menopause)?

These are hormonal changes related to aging in men. This includes low levels of testosterone associated with aging, which is represented by a decrease in the level of testosterone in the blood serum to levels lower than the reference values in healthy males of young age, in addition to suffering from some symptoms of testosterone deficiency that affect the quality of life for a man, And some effects on many-body systems.

Causes of andropause in men

It often occurs from birth as a result of a congenital disorder, which may cause small testicles size, delayed puberty, and deficiency occurs as a result of a problem in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland responsible for stimulating the testes to produce testosterone or a problem at the level of the testicles that prevents their ability to produce Testosterone or a problem with the effectiveness of response of the body's cells to testosterone.

In addition to the aging factor, there are some other factors that may cause a decrease in the body's production of testosterone; Such as pituitary disorders, or inflammatory diseases; Such as tuberculosis, HIV infection, a head injury, severe and severe burns, or a stroke.

Some medications may lead to a low level of testosterone as one of the side effects of using it, such as methadone and tramadol, and it should be noted that the use of glucocorticoids for a long period of time may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the testes.

Menopausal symptoms in men

A low level of testosterone in men can cause a number of different symptoms, which are characterized by:

• Reduced sexual desire

Testosterone plays an important role in maintaining life and sexual desire, as low testosterone levels can cause erectile dysfunction or maintain an erection, which may affect sperm count as well.

• Depression

Testosterone helps regulate mood, meaning that lower levels may cause you to become depressed.

• Low energy

In general, testosterone helps you to maintain an appropriate and appropriate energy level, but as your levels drop, you may feel a lack of energy, and the inability to carry out normal and daily activities.

• Sleep problems

The low level of testosterone is associated with problems sleeping, as it has an essential role in regulating the sleep process.

Andropause treatment in men

Control of changes accompanying menopause in men requires awareness of the stage and understanding of what it is. If the tests and examinations that the person underwent revealed a lack of testosterone in the man about the normal rates for men of the same age group, and those accompanied by symptoms appear on the patient, the doctor may prescribe an alternative testosterone treatment, as it is available This type of treatment is in several forms of pharmacy, and the most prominent forms can be described in the following:

• Leather plasters: This patch is usually applied to the upper arm or upper body. Gel: it can directly absorb testosterone when applied to the recommended area.
• Injection: Testosterone can be injected directly into the muscles, as the body will absorb testosterone in the bloodstream.
• Implants: They are used by growing small granules that contain testosterone in the soft tissues, as they are slowly absorbed into the bloodstream.

References

Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Andropause

Spiral.imperial.ac.uk. 2020. [online] Available at: <https://spiral.imperial.ac.uk:8443/bitstream/10044/1/19214/2/New%20England%20Journal%20of%20Medicine_363_2_2010.pdf> [Accessed 23 June 2020].