Testosterone, the major male hormone, begins to decline in a man after the age of 30.  In fact, there is approximately  a  1% decline in the hormone per year after that point. Not all men experience lowered testosterone as they age but many do and symptoms, if present, are not always the same. Unlike the female menopause which occurs rather abruptly with the cessation of menses, the male “andropause” occurs more slowly and symptoms are more subtle…fatigue, loss of muscle structure, sexual performance difficulties,  depression, and/or  lack  of sex drive.  Alcohol, injuries, medications, stress, obesity and surgery may instigate andropause. Testosterone also plays a significant role in bone, brain, cholesterol, heart, kidney, liver, prostate and skin health.  Many men attribute “andropause” symptoms to the aging process but it may be a low testosterone level .   Low testosterone is a problem that can be remedied with inexpensive testosterone replacement. Testosterone is among the group of hormones that support masculinity. They are called androgens. Other hormones are important to men’s health as well…DHEA, dihydrotestosterone, progesterone, estradiol,  growth hormone and progesterone. It is important for a man to have hormone levels checked routinely after the age of forty. Low testosterone has been shown in some studies to increase mortality.  Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome are associated with low testosterone. And it is known that low testosterone does not cause prostate cancer. Other studies show that testosterone is often low in men who get prostate cancer.

Recommendations…