Diagnosis and Treatment of Male Menopause
Common treatment for loss of testosterone
has been Testosterone Replacement Therapy. There has been some
concern over the connection between this replacement therapy and
prostate cancer
The first thing men notice is that they are experiencing difficulty
with sexual function, they may not realize that there is a
connection to the other symptoms they may have such as
irritability, anger issues, fatigue, joint aches, and short term
memory loss. They may not realize that all of these symptoms
combined may mean that they are suffering from a loss of
testosterone. These symptoms may occur gradually over a period of
years and although they may start at age 35, they may not disrupt
life enough to be bothersome until the male is in his 40's or 50's.
The female in their life may call attention to the presence of
symptoms.
Diagnosis:
At some point the male will decide to have a medical
professional investigate the symptoms. A complete medical history
including sexual symptoms, and any other symptoms will be noted
along with any history of disease. Any past or current medications
and surgeries will also be noted. A complete physical exam will
then be conducted including the genitals. Blood tests will be drawn
to determine hormone levels. These blood tests may be repeated at
intervals.
Andropause Male Menopause
Males experience the reproductive change involving the connection between the testicles, the hormone testosterone, the brain, and the pituitary. The female changes involve the pituitary gland and the brain as well as the ovaries. Hers is more abrupt and his is a very gradual change.
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Treatment:
Common treatment for loss of testosterone has been Testosterone
Replacement Therapy. There has been some concern over the
connection between this replacement therapy and prostate cancer.
There have however been no studies to prove the connection between
the two. There has been another concern that this type of
replacement therapy may increase the male's risk for heart disease
as increasing the "male androgen levels would also increase both
serum cholesterol and serum LDL-Cholesterol levels, according to
Drs Caroline and Andrew Dott, who are professional lecturers and
teachers.
One of the oral forms of testosterone that is available in the
USA for males diagnosed with male menopause contains
methyltestosterone which when used over a period of time has been
shown to damage the liver as cited in The Physicians Desk
Reference.
The subdermal pellets are implanted under the skin and slowly
dissolve over a period of 3 to 4 months. The injections need to be
given either weekly or bi-weekly.
Once replacement therapy has started the testosterone that is
produced within the body ceases to be produced and replacement
therapy must be continued throughout the balance of lifetime. This
is why males who have not lost all natural production but only have
low levels must be careful concerning replacement therapy.
The benefits of treatment:
Males who undergo hormone replacement therapy experience an
improvement in health and in their sense of well-being. One symptom
(impotence) does not respond well to this replacement therapy.
The different forms of testosterone treatment available are:
Pills
Injections
Subdermal Pellets
Treatment is something that should be discussed with the medical
professional and all risks weighted carefully. Treatment is
something that is long-term and both the health risks and costs
must be considered. The benefits may outweigh the risks especially
for males who are having difficulty coping with family life or
work. There are fewer risks associated with natural testosterone
treatment.
Male Menopause or Andropause
08/14/2008
The Irritable Male Syndrome: Why Midlife Men Turn Mean (ThirdAge)
One of the most consistent responses I get from men and women is how much irritability, anger and sullen withdrawal is present in men between the ages of 40 and 60.
The Irritable Male Syndrome: Why Midlife Men Turn Mean (ThirdAge)
08/07/2008
Late Onset Hypogonadism, ADAM, Andropause: What Is It And What Is The Treatment? (Medical News Today)
UroToday.com - Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), or androgen decline in the aging male, is a syndrome caused by the well-known decline in gonadal production of androgens in males that occurs with aging. It is characterized by clinical symptoms that accompany low serum androgen levels. LOH affects a wide range of organ systems and has a broad severity of clinical presentations.
Late Onset Hypogonadism, ADAM, Andropause: What Is It And What Is The Treatment? (Medical News Today)
08/14/2008
The Irritable Male Syndrome: Why Midlife Men Turn Mean (ThirdAge)
One of the most consistent responses I get from men and women is how much irritability, anger and sullen withdrawal is present in men between the ages of 40 and 60.
The Irritable Male Syndrome: Why Midlife Men Turn Mean (ThirdAge)
08/07/2008
Late Onset Hypogonadism, ADAM, Andropause: What Is It And What Is The Treatment? (Medical News Today)
UroToday.com - Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), or androgen decline in the aging male, is a syndrome caused by the well-known decline in gonadal production of androgens in males that occurs with aging. It is characterized by clinical symptoms that accompany low serum androgen levels. LOH affects a wide range of organ systems and has a broad severity of clinical presentations.
Late Onset Hypogonadism, ADAM, Andropause: What Is It And What Is The Treatment? (Medical News Today)
08/14/2008
The Irritable Male Syndrome: Why Midlife Men Turn Mean (ThirdAge)
One of the most consistent responses I get from men and women is how much irritability, anger and sullen withdrawal is present in men between the ages of 40 and 60.
The Irritable Male Syndrome: Why Midlife Men Turn Mean (ThirdAge)
08/07/2008
Late Onset Hypogonadism, ADAM, Andropause: What Is It And What Is The Treatment? (Medical News Today)
UroToday.com - Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), or androgen decline in the aging male, is a syndrome caused by the well-known decline in gonadal production of androgens in males that occurs with aging. It is characterized by clinical symptoms that accompany low serum androgen levels. LOH affects a wide range of organ systems and has a broad severity of clinical presentations.
Late Onset Hypogonadism, ADAM, Andropause: What Is It And What Is The Treatment? (Medical News Today)
08/14/2008
The Irritable Male Syndrome: Why Midlife Men Turn Mean (ThirdAge)
One of the most consistent responses I get from men and women is how much irritability, anger and sullen withdrawal is present in men between the ages of 40 and 60.
The Irritable Male Syndrome: Why Midlife Men Turn Mean (ThirdAge)
08/07/2008
Late Onset Hypogonadism, ADAM, Andropause: What Is It And What Is The Treatment? (Medical News Today)
UroToday.com - Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), or androgen decline in the aging male, is a syndrome caused by the well-known decline in gonadal production of androgens in males that occurs with aging. It is characterized by clinical symptoms that accompany low serum androgen levels. LOH affects a wide range of organ systems and has a broad severity of clinical presentations.
Late Onset Hypogonadism, ADAM, Andropause: What Is It And What Is The Treatment? (Medical News Today)
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