By Paaven Patel, Operations and Quality Assurance Pharmacist at Specialist Pharmacy
Firstly, it’s important to address what Andropause, sometimes referred to as ‘the male menopause’ is. Andropause occurs as testosterone levels decline with age. Although this happens naturally in men from the age of 30 onwards, it can lead to some troubling symptoms if your testosterone dips below a certain level. To complicate matters, this level is different for each man! These fluctuations in individual hormone balance mean that it’s important to get to know your own hormones and pay close attention to any changes in physical or mental symptoms.
So, what are the symptoms?
Symptoms typically start and affect men at the same age that menopause affects women. It often causes physical, sexual, and psychological problems as there are a variety of symptoms that accompany fluctuations in testosterone levels. Some of the primary indicators of a hormone imbalance in men include:
- Fatigue
- Erectile dysfunction and low sex drive
- Mood swings
- Decreased muscle and bone mass
- Weight gain
What can be the cause?
There have been lots of different suggestions as to what causes andropause – unlike menopause (which affects all women to some degree), it’s not something every man will necessarily experience, and symptoms may be exacerbated or caused entirely by external factors such as stress and anxiety. It’s approximated that around 30% of men in their 50s will experience some symptoms of andropause.
Potential causes of andropause are wide-ranging and can include psychological problems (as mentioned earlier), or issues such as a lack of sleep, consistently poor diet, not doing enough exercise, or drinking too much.
In some cases, a drop in testosterone levels could also be a secondary symptom of other health conditions. One such condition is late-onset hypogonadism, in which the testes produce few or no hormones (sometimes this condition can be present from birth, but if this is the case it’s generally spotted well before middle age). Hypogonadism can occasionally develop later in life, in particular in men who are obese or are suffering from type-2 diabetes. However – this is a specific medical condition and not a normal part of ageing.
Treatment options
If you are suffering from some inexplicable symptoms, and you think it might be related to a hormonal imbalance – there are treatment options available. The most important step is visiting a BHRT Practitioner to check on your hormone levels. Do not feel embarrassed or self-conscious about going to a specialist with these kinds of issues, they’re totally normal, and you shouldn’t have to suffer in silence.
After a full picture of your health and medical history, one treatment option may be BHRT (either with or without DHEA), to help get testosterone levels back under control. It is also recommended that lifestyle choices are taken into consideration too– proper nutrition, rest, stress management, and exercise can also all play a part in keeping testosterone levels healthy.
It is important to note that some of the symptoms that are associated with andropause are a normal part of ageing – they may not necessarily be reversible or treatable. However, if you’re really struggling, and you feel that your day-to-day life has been affected, it’s a good idea to seek treatment.
About Specialist Pharmacy
Specialist Pharmacy is the first compounding pharmacy of its kind in the UK, producing custom-made medications across a wide range of treatment areas such as bioidentical hormones, pain management, dermatology, haircare, sports medicine, and veterinary medications.
Specialist Pharmacy is a full-service pharmacy with over 25 years of combined expertise and unrivalled experience. Using first-class pharmaceutical ingredients (GMP standard) they are dedicated to creating safe, quality personalised medication. Specialist Pharmacy operates at the highest quality standards, in a state-of-the-art laboratory, based in the UK and fully regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council.
