The dominant male hormone is testosterone and almost all men will experience a decline in testosterone levels as they age. Testosterone is a powerful hormone that influences many functions in the body. When testosterone levels drop, many men will start to experience a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, low libido, and weaker muscles. They will lose their sense of wellbeing. This syndrome of testosterone deficiency is known as Andropause. Unfortunately, many men go through Andropause and don’t know it and can’t understand why they suddenly feel the way they do. This is not a topic that until recently, has received a great deal of publicity, and men are not likely to sit around with each other and discuss their newly discovered low libido and weaker muscles. Women are usually more open about their hormone issues, such as menopause, and they have many resources for information on this topic. For example, Oprah Winfrey, had multiple shows that focused on hormones and women’s health issues, which was great to raise awareness about these issues. Unfortunately, there is no Oprah for men and so many men experience the effects of testosterone deficiency and have no idea what is happening or what to do about it.

Fortunately, this is changing and Andropause is receiving more attention as a common issue for men. Typically, testosterone levels peak in most men around age 30 and then declines from there. Some men have a faster decline in testosterone levels than others. About 5% of men well experience Andropause symptoms before they reach the age of 40. About 50% of men will feel the effects of testosterone deficiency by the time they reach 65. There are some identifiable causes of testosterone decline, but most often testosterone deficiency is due to a natural decline as we age. I have already mentioned a few of the symptoms associated with Andropause, but other common symptoms include the following:

Fatigue
Low sex drive
Depression
Diminished muscle strength
Foggy thinking
Decreased motivation
Insomnia
Decreased endurance
Poor recovery from exercise

It is important to know that testosterone is not just about feeling good or bad. Testosterone has many important functions to maintain one’s health. You may not immediately feel some of the changes that take place in your body due to Andropause, but your overall health may gradually decline as a result of testosterone deficiency. For instance, studies show that men with testosterone deficiency have a greater chance of developing cardiovascular disease. Testosterone is necessary to maintain bones and low testosterone could contribute to osteoporosis. Testosterone also plays a role in sugar (glucose) metabolism and without it, insulin resistance can develop. These are only a few examples of the role testosterone plays throughout your body. Maintaining optimal testosterone levels is necessary for maintaining heath, and the symptoms of Andropause are an important sign that your overall health may be suffering due to low testosterone. If you are feeling some of the symptoms I mentioned above, it may be a sign that you have entered Andropause, and you should work with an experience hormone specialist who can help you regain your optimal testosterone levels with Bio-Identical Testosterone Replacement Therapy. There are several options for therapy, including subcutaneous (under the skin) pellets, topical creams, injections, and troches (lozenges). It’s just a matter of working with your doctor to find the therapy that works best for you.