Male Menopause

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Both men and women undoubtedly experience symptoms related to reduced production of sex hormones (sex steroids) as they get older. These changes are inevitable, but affect individuals differently. Some people experience very few symptoms, whereas others are completely disabled by them. It is important to remember that this fall in sex hormone production is a natural process and not a disease. However, many unpleasant natural processes can be helped with medical treatment just as effectively as diseases.

In women, the fall in sex hormone production is quite abrupt and usually occurs over a few months or years in their 40s or 50s. The ovaries dramatically reduce their production of oestrogens (the female-determining sex steroids), a woman's periods become disturbed and eventually stop (thus the term, menopause). Menopausal women may also experience:

Hot flushes
Sweating
Mood changes
Weight changes
Breast changes
Alterations in sexual response, such as vaginal dryness
Changes in the level of sexual interest.

In men, the fall in sex hormone production is much more gradual, developing over decades rather than months or years. Mental and physical changes can occur, but they are much more subtle in onset and can easily be missed. As such, the term 'male menopause', or andropause, is probably not accurate. Instead, experts prefer to talk about 'partial androgen deficiency of the ageing male' (PADAM).

Production of testosterone (the principal male-determining sex steroid) falls gradually and progressively from the 40s onwards. Other hormones are also affected, including growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), parathyroid hormone and melanocyte-stimulating hormone. The significance of these changes is not well understood. Other endocrine (hormonal) disorders, such as hypothyroidism (thyroid underactivity) and diabetes, are also more common with advancing age but are better understood.

What are androgens?

Androgens are steroid hormones with specific effects on tissue growth (muscle, fat, skin, hair and others) and brain function. They play important roles in both men and women, but are produced in much larger quantities in men. In men after puberty, the majority of androgens are produced by the testicles, mainly as testosterone. Other androgens - dehydroepiandrostenedione (DHEA), its sulphate (DHEAS), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) - are produced in the adrenal cortex, skin and liver. Several man-made androgens are also available.

Androgen deficiency can occur in younger men, and even in children and adolescents, as a result of testicular damage, genetic disorders or metabolic disorders. It is very important that they receive expert assessment by an endocrinologist at an early stage and receive androgen replacement therapy. This is established medical practice and uncontroversial, unlike androgen supplementation therapy in PADAM.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.