Andropause

Is there really such thing as a male menopause? Yes. It is called andropause, and it affects all men. Andropause is caused by a decline in hormones—primarily testosterone, thyroid hormone, human growth hormone (HGH), and DHEA. This decline normally starts when a man reaches the ages of 25-27.

The loss of testosterone and HGH contributes to the familiar “ pot belly” and declining muscle tone of middle-age men. Cardiac output declines, lung capacity decreases, and other organ functions diminish. Another common psychological effect of hormonal imbalance is a decrease in one’ s sense of well- being, which can manifest itself as depression or a lack of motivation. Other conditions affecting middle- age men which can be traced to abnormal hormone levels are abdominal weight gain, prostate and heart disease, elevated cholesterol, and angina. In addition, men may experience high levels of fatigue, irritability, aches and pains, and stiffness.

A steady decline of hormone levels in men often has an extreme effect on sexual health, including inhibition of physical, sexual and cognitive function, waning interest in sex, difficulty in having and maintaining an erection, and/or decreased sexual satisfaction.