What is Andropause? How can we treat it?
The testosterone hormone is one of the most essential sex hormones in a man’s body. It is responsible for numerous physical changes that boys undergo during puberty, such as deepening of the voice, buildup of muscle mass as well as growth of body and facial hair. It also has a major role to play in the production of sperms.
As men tend to grow older, the overall levels of this hormone gets reduced which also brings down the amount of sperms produced in the body. Men often tend to experience certain psychological and physical health symptoms due to the lower levels of testosterone.
While this is natural with the aging process, individual men tend to be affected differently by this reduction of testosterone levels. It is believed that there is about 10% reduction of testosterone levels every decade after men turns 30.
Andropause can be described as a type of health condition involving the decrease of male hormone testosterone in men’s bodies. The speed at which men tend to experience the symptoms of andropause is typically much slower than women who are affected by menopause.
It has been observed that around 30% men tend to experience health issues related to andropause once they reach their 50s. Men going through andropause may exhibit numerous telltale symptoms. Unless patients of andropause seek medical treatment, they can also become vulnerable to other types of critical health problems like osteoporosis.
Andropause Causes
Reduced level of testosterone in aging men is an essential factor that is responsible for andropause.
However, it is not just that the body makes lower levels of testosterone but the levels of another hormone known as SHBG starts to increase. SHBG or sex hormone-binding globulin can pull and remove usable testosterone hormone from blood.
The testosterone present in the blood gets attached to sex steroid-binding globulin which means that it becomes no more available for the body to use.
The remaining portion of the testosterone hormone that is present in the blood is referred to as bio available testosterone.
When the bioa vailable testosterone levels present in their blood gets reduced, it gives rise to symptoms associated with the condition of andropause. The tissues within the body which must have proper levels of testosterone to function healthily starts to operate with reduced strength. This can lead to many types of psychological and physical health issues in a patient.
Andropause Symptoms
It is important to note that the symptoms and signs of andropause can vary from one individual to another. The usual signs of andropause include the following:
Hot flashes
Depression
Mood swings
Mental fatigue
Low or poor sex drive
A distinct lack of energy
Loss of physical strength and/or muscle mass
Increased accumulation of fat in different parts of the body
Difficulty in achieving erections or erections that lack sufficient strength as before
When the symptoms of andropause are not treated in time, it can lead to complications like increased chances of cardiovascular health issues and brittle bones or osteoporosis.
Andropause Diagnosis
If you have been experiencing the symptoms related to andropause for some time, it is necessary that you should visit a fertility clinic as only a professional medical expert can determine for sure whether you are having andropause or not.
The doctor will perform a thorough physical checkup and ask you questions about the symptoms that you have been having. The doctor will recommend some blood tests to see if you are having lower levels of testosterone in your blood.
Since there can be certain other conditions that lead to lower levels of testosterone in the body, the doctor will first try to rule them out prior to confirming that you have andropause. Some of these other health issues are high blood pressure; high blood glucose levels or diabetes and hypogonadism.
You should also keep in mind that a lot of the symptoms and signs commonly related to andropause are experienced by all men as they grow old, which means that they cannot be permanently resolved through treatment.
Andropause Treatment
The most widely prevalent treatment of andropause is testosterone replacement therapy. This mode of treatment can ensure relief from the numerous symptoms commonly associated with andropause.
It can also enhance quality of life for the patient in several cases. If you are a patient of andropause, you will be asked to modify your lifestyle so that you can reduce stress levels as that may help. Cultivating proper dietary habits along with more daily exercise can be helpful.
However, not all patients are suitable for this treatment and your doctor will need to see if you are the right candidate for it.
Testosterone can come in different types of preparations such as gels and capsules, skin patches and injections. The doctor is going to see which option would be best for you. In most cases, the doctors will also consider your overall way of life while trying to choose the best testosterone option.
Once the treatment commences, you must follow-up with your doctor at regular intervals. The doctor is going to evaluate your response to testosterone treatment and may also perform certain adjustments in case they become necessary.
Skin patches: Wearing skin patch with the testosterone hormone in it allows the patient to absorb this hormone through their skin. The rate of absorption is slow but steady and the hormone mixes with the blood stream to ensure best results. Usually the patch is applied on the upper arms, back, thighs or the abdomen area.
Capsules: The testosterone capsules must be taken two times daily after meals. The doctor will see if you have any kind of liver disease, kidney or heart disease or a lot of calcium in your blood as in such cases you won’t be fit for taking testosterone capsules.
Testosterone gel: The gel is commonly applied on the arms and the hormone is absorbed through skin. Care should be taken so that the hormone is not transferred to another person through physical contact.
Testosterone injections: Testosterone injections are intense and can lead to mood swings. They are applied once in every two to four weeks.
Once you start exhibiting certain signs and symptoms of andropause, you should not hesitate to visit a medical center to avail the best treatment. KIC Bangalore is the leading infertility treatment center that offers treatment for hormonal conditions.
The doctors at KIC Bangalore can assist you through the process of adjusting to changing levels of testosterone in your body. Visit KIC Bangalore at https://kicbengaluru.com/ to know more about hormonal and fertility treatments.
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