Age-Related Hypogonadism: The Menopause in Men
From around the middle to the late thirties, testosterone production in men slows down. The testosterone level gradually decreases by about one to two percent per year. In contrast to postmenopausal women, in whom estrogen production stops completely after the change, testosterone production in men remains at a reduced level.
By the way, how much the testosterone level drops varies from man to man. Many men don’t even feel the gradual drop in testosterone levels. Whether there is actually menopause in men is therefore sometimes controversial in medicine.
How does testosterone deficiency develop?
Some men, however, feel very clear impairments that are observed in direct connection with the drop in hormones.
This is all the more true the older and more overweight the affected men are and the more frequently they suffer from additional diseases, as the European Society of Urology (EAU) emphasizes in its current guidelines. Because many of the comorbidities that are particularly common in older men, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases, for example, due to a metabolic syndrome, as well as certain medications, cause testosterone levels to drop more.
For those affected, this can lead to a number of complaints that have noticeable negative effects on mental and physical health as well as on sexuality.
Read also: Steroid Source For Muscles And Health
Low Testosterone Symptoms
Typical symptoms that indicate a testosterone deficiency in men:
- decreased desire for sex
- Erectile dysfunction
- Loss of muscle mass and loss of strength
- Increase in abdominal fat
- Decreased body hair
- Listlessness, exhaustion, and tiredness (despite sufficient sleep)
- Mood swings to depression
- Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
- Hot flashes
- Decrease in bone density (osteoporosis)
- Metabolic syndrome
What can a man do with low testosterone?
If you also observe one or more of these symptoms in yourself, a testosterone deficiency may well be responsible. However, other causes can also be present, especially in the case of non-specific signs. Therefore, if you have any symptoms that indicate menopause in men, you should always consult a doctor if possible.
Testosterone deficiency – which doctor?
The first point of contact, in this case, is the family doctor, who, if there is reasonable suspicion, will refer you to a specialist in urology or andrology, also known as a male doctor. He can determine whether your testosterone levels are age-appropriate or whether there is a testosterone deficiency.
Testosterone deficiency Test
The doctor determines the testosterone level via the blood serum. Since the testosterone level in the blood fluctuates, two to three blood samples are usually taken at intervals of about half an hour. The best time to do this is in the morning, as testosterone levels are at their highest then. An average value is then determined from the two to three samples. According to the European Society for Urology, it should not be below 12.1 nmol/l. In the case of slightly reduced values between 8 and 12 nmol/l, it is recommended to also determine the free testosterone level. If this is below 243 pmol/l, this also indicates an existing testosterone deficiency.
However, it is also possible to test all important hormones in connection with a testosterone deficiency, such as testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, DHEA & cortisol in the saliva from the comfort of your own home: Hormone profile man plus
Testosterone deficiency Treatment
If there is a real testosterone deficiency with clear symptoms, there is the possibility of replacing the missing testosterone with artificial hormones. Best testosterone boosters found here.
Testosterone can be administered as an injection into the muscle, gel, or patch through the skin, swallowed as a capsule, or administered as a nasal spray. Due to the rapid balancing of hormones, symptoms such as sexual desire can often increase again after four to six weeks. However, changes in potency are only to be expected after about half a year.