What is andropause?
Andropause, sometimes called male menopause, is a condition that can affect men as they age. It is caused by a gradual decline in testosterone levels and it leads to symptoms similar to those experienced by women undergoing menopause.
Some key things to know about andropause:
- It usually occurs in men after age 40 or 50, but can happen earlier. The symptoms are often subtler than what women experience in menopause.
- Common symptoms include:
- Decreased sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Loss of muscle mass
- Weight gain, especially around the abdomen
- Fatigue
- Mood changes like depression or irritability
- Difficulty concentrating or "brain fog"
- While not all men go through andropause, it is estimated that 2-4 million men in the U.S. are affected.
- Low testosterone is usually the culprit. Testosterone levels peak in early adulthood then slowly drop about 1% per year after age 30-40.
- Treatment options include testosterone replacement therapy, medications, and natural remedies like eating healthy, exercising, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep.
The experts at Optimal Hormone Health Clinic can help diagnose andropause and create a customized treatment plan involving bioidentical hormone therapy to get your testosterone levels optimized again. Feel like your former energetic self!
Schedule a consultation today to have your hormone levels checked and imbalance corrected. Optimal Hormone Health Clinic uses cutting-edge diagnostic testing and telemedicine appointments in addition to offering in-clinic visits.