In the same way that women experience body changes and discomfort when they reach the menopause, men may undergo a similar hormonal change between the age of 40 and 55 years, called Andropause.

Andropause is caused by a drop in the testosterone level of men as they get older and despite the fact that there is no obvious sign of onset, such as cessation of menstruation in women, the changes in mood, health and sexual functioning have been well documented and are directly linked to the lower hormone levels that occur naturally with advancing age.

Body changes in men are likely to occur quite slowly but may include mood swings, tiredness, low energy levels, lowered libido (sex drive) and a feeling that he just isn’t as physically able as he once was. The drop in testosterone levels may also mean that the man is more at risk for developing serious health problems like heart disease and bone that are weak and break easily.

What You Need to know about Andropause:

* It may occur between 40 and 55 years of age, but is very difficult to predict exactly when hormone levels will start to drop.

* The hormonal decline is gradual and may be difficult to recognize at first-symptoms like loss of energy and decreased sex drive, along with mood swings may be the first clues that something is changing.

* You may or may not need to consult your physician-both mild and severe symptoms are common in Andropause and each case is different.

* Andropause first appeared in medical texts in the 1940’s so it is not something new or foreign but recent developments in hormone testing mean that it is now possible to measure the testosterone level in the blood and make a conclusive diagnosis.

In the past, symptoms were often overlooked or dismissed as being a case of mild depression and ‘all in the mind’ but these days help is available to ease discomfort and aid understanding of the changes the man may be experiencing.

* Symptoms are often not very specific and because men are often unwilling to open up about it may help to know that it is something that is known and understood and lowered levels of hormones can be used as evidence that there are indeed changes occurring in the body. A lot of research is being carried out by the scientific and medical community to help men and their families experience as little disruption and discomfort as possible.

What Symptoms Are Experienced in Andropause?

* A decrease in your physical endurance and strength.

* Low energy levels.

* Decreased sex drive.

* Mood swings and angry, depressed moods.

* Height changes from bone density loss.

* A lack of enjoyment of the things you normally find pleasure in.

* Lowered sport and or work performance due to decreased muscle mass and strength.

* Less powerful erections.

* An increase in upper and central body fat.

Is Andropause Serious?

Yes. In addition to the lowered quality of life that may be experienced, there are many health risks associated with lowered testosterone levels for example osteoporosis and increased risk of heart attack.

Andropause and Cardiovascular Risk

* The loss of testosterone may contribute to a hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Although this has not yet been conclusively established, some trials have suggested that there may well be more truth in this than was previously recognized. Further testing is needed to obtain absolute proof but it may be wise to err on the side of caution.

Andropause and Osteoporosis.

* Osteoporosis is a condition in which bone tissue is lost at a rate that exceeds the body’s normal regeneration rate. Testosterone is believed to be instrumental in this regeneration process and low levels of the hormone may be a contributing factor in bone density loss. In older men the levels of bone density decrease by as much as 15%. Recent evidence suggests that one on eight men over the age of 50 have osteoporosis.

* As your bone density drops you will be increasingly at risk of bone fractures and breakage. Weak areas include the ribs, spine, wrists and hip areas. Outward manifestations of a loss of bone density include rounded shoulders, loss of height and possible back pain. As much as a third of patients with hip problems do not regain their full range of motion, so Andropause could seriously affect the quality of life.

What is the Treatment for Andropause?

Some trials have shown good results with testosterone therapy. Just as women are treated for estrogen loss with HRT, men may show an improvement in their symptoms as their testosterone levels rise. Some benefits are:

* Mood improvement and better sense of well-being.

* More energy and physical agility.

* Fewer mood disturbances.

* Improved sleep patterns.

* Higher sex drive.

* More muscle and less fat build up.

* Increased strength in hands, arms and legs.

* Possibly a lowered heart attack risk.

The quality of life is likely to improve markedly once therapy begins and sufferers can look forward to a better attitude and sense of well-being.

Along with these benefits, men experiencing the symptoms of Andropause may now notice that their libido increases as does their power to concentrate, perform and enjoy life to the full again. This coupled with more strength and an improved health outlook in the long term makes treating the symptoms of Andropause with testosterone therapy worth looking into. Positive effects are noticed in about 3 to 6 weeks and testosterone therapy shows really positive signs of having the power and promise to change the lives of so many men who suffer in silence.