Andropausia: what is it, symptoms and treatment

Andropausia is a situation that is characterized by the decrease in the production of testosterone in men, appearing around 50 years of age. This stage is also known as menopause in men.

The decrease in testosterone levels leads to symptoms similar to those of menopause in women, such as: mood swings, decreased libido and excessive tiredness.

While this is a normal stage of human aging, it can be controlled through the use of drugs to replace testosterone, especially when the symptoms of andropausia are very intense and cause discomfort, and must be prescribed by a urologist or an endocrinologist. of blood to evaluate the levels of testosterone in the organism.

The symptoms of andropausia or of menopause in men are:

1. Excessive tiredness;
2. Frequent mood swings and irritability;
3. Bochornos or sofocos (heat waves);
4. Decreased libido;
5. erection difficulty;
6. Decrease in the number of vellos in the body;
7. Loss of muscle mass and increase in the amount of fat in the body;
8. Redistribution of the fat, with the possibility of increasing the belly or the growth of the breasts;
9. Difficulty in concentration and short-term memory;
10. Insomnia.

These symptoms can interfere with daily life, and it is important to see the doctor as soon as possible so that an evaluation is carried out and the most appropriate treatment is indicated.

In some cases, and very rarely, the symptoms can be caused by a condition called hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes do not produce enough testosterone.

Select the symptoms that you may be presenting in the test the continuation and if you are crossing the no for andropausia:

The diagnosis is performed by a urologist or endocrinologist, who may request some blood tests to assess the state of human health, such as: total and free testosterone, PSA, FSH, LH and prolactin, which despite being one quantified hormone in women to confirm the ability to produce milk during embarrassment, may indicate some male dysfunction. See how the prolactin test is performed in men and how to evaluate the results.

The treatment for andropausia should be guided by a urologist and endocrinologist to assess the symptoms presented by the man and the testosterone levels. The objective of the treatment is to alleviate the symptoms and prevent the development of complications, such as heart disease, anemia and osteoporosis.

In the majority of cases, it is recommended that the man carry out hormone replacement therapy, with the use of some drugs indicated by the urologist, which include:

• Cyproterone Acetate, Testosterone Acetate or Testosterone Undecanoate tablets;
• Dihydrotestosterone gel;
• Cypionate, decanoate or testosterone enanthate injections, applied once a month;
• Patches or testosterone implants.

Another way to improve the symptoms of andropausia in the human being is the realization of some changes in the lifestyle, such as having a healthy and balanced diet, reducing the consumption of salt and foods rich in fat and sugars; practice physical activity; avoid cigarillos and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

In addition, the use of nutritional supplements that contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can also help to control low levels of testosterone in the blood. See other options to increase testosterone.

Possible side effects

The hormone replacement therapy with testosterone must not be used to promote the increase in muscle mass and must always be guided by a doctor, as it can cause serious effects on health, which include:

• Aggravate prostate cancer;
• Increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases;
• Increase liver toxicity;
• Emergence or impeoramiento de la apnea del sueño;
• Acne and skin oil increase;
• Allergic reactions in the skin due to the application of the adhesive;
• Abnormal breast enlargement or the appearance of breast cancer;

Furthermore, this type of treatment is contraindicated in people with suspected prostate or breast cancer, or when these illnesses have been confirmed, due to the secondary effects that hormone replacement therapy produces. For this reason, before starting the therapy, the doctor recommends tests to detect the presence of prostate, breast or testicle cancer, liver diseases and cardiovascular problems, thus avoiding this type of complications.

Does hormone replacement therapy produce cancer?

The male hormone replacement therapy does not produce cancer, however, it can worsen the illness in those men who have the development of cancer. For this reason, the urologist should indicate, around 3 or 6 months after starting the treatment, a rectal tact and PSA measurement to check for important changes that indicate the presence of cancer. He knows what are the exams that evaluate the prostate.

Watch the video for a continuation of a recipe that will help you increase your testosterone levels: