Not A Musical
Women’s hormonal changes are talked about, joked about, and even have plays or musicals written about them. The beginning and ending of women’s ability to bear a child has become much less of a taboo subject than it was previously, with many more educational and support resources available now than there were in our parents’ generation. Progress is a very good thing. There hasn’t been much education or even recognition of similar hormonal changes in men, though. Yet, many men in their fifties and older will experience andropause, male hormonal changes similar to menopause.
Like menopause, andropause is caused by the decrease in the hormones that create gender. It’s well known that, with menopause and the cessation of menstruation, estrogen decreases in a woman’s body.
A similar physical change can occur for men, as well, but it isn’t openly discussed. Andropause occurs when a male body does not make as much testosterone as it did previously, causing a myriad of symptoms and changes in a man’s body. Also known as low T, andropause can even affect some men who are only in their twenties.
Symptoms of Andropause
There are numerous symptoms of andropause or low T, including physical, sexual, and even emotional symptoms. These symptoms include:
- Loss of muscle mass or strength
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- Loss of libido
- Difficulty in getting an erection or in maintaining it
- Decreased sensitivity during orgasm
- Difficulty sleeping
- Depressed mood
- Lack of motivation
- Hot flashes
Like menopause, andropause has significant impact on an individual’s overall quality of life. But, there are options to consider.
Is Andropause Treatable?
Fortunately, there are treatment options available for men who exhibit symptoms of andropause or low T. The first step is, of course, to diagnose it, which occurs through both a clinical examination and various blood tests. Your clinician may run blood tests to measure free testosterone versus total testosterone in your body. Free testosterone is the testosterone available to be used by any bodily tissue while total testosterone is related to the both the free testosterone level in your body and the sex binding testosterone that reaches its peak in men during adolescence.
If your clinician determines that you have low T, you can increase your testosterone levels through either a topical or injectable medication.
APEX Hormone Health
Treatment for andropause can help you regain your quality of life! For those in the state of Colorado, APEX Hormone Health provides a comprehensive consultation in which we can discuss your goals, concerns, and risks/benefits. We will tailor a treatment plan specifically to you. After the initial consultation, subsequent consultations can occur via telemedicine visits if you prefer. Some services can be done strictly through telemedicine. Feel free to call and ask!
Treatment for andropause can increase your quality of life in so many ways! You may feel like yourself again with increased mental acuity, cessation of brain fog, improved libido and sexual satisfaction, an improvement in depression or lack of motivation, and, finally, better muscle tone and overall physical condition. Please call us or text us at 720-856-0200 to get back to the man you used to be.
Image credit:
Valeriygoncharukphoto / Envato Elements |
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.