Andropause, also known as ADAM, is a range of health symptoms related to a decline in testosterone production in aging men. While some debate whether it is a clinical condition, many recommend testosterone replacement therapy, combined with diet and exercise changes, to improve physical and mental well-being. It is not the same as female menopause and does not prevent men from having children.
Often referred to as a state of androgen decline in the aging male (or ADAM for short), andropause refers to a range of health symptoms that are often grouped under the popular cultural title of male menopause. Many of the symptoms have physical origins, such as a decline in testosterone production. Here are some background on the phenomenon of andropause, including some of the current treatment methods.
There is a certain amount of disagreement as to whether andropause is truly a clinical condition. One school of thought holds that because many of the symptoms are tied directly to a change in testosterone production as a man ages, the condition is indeed one that deserves to be classified. Other people believe that chemical changes are relatively inconsequential to most symptoms and that the condition is more properly thought of as a social or cultural phenomenon. Whatever the disagreement about exactly how andropause should be classified, there is near universal agreement that referring to the condition as male menopause is incorrect. Female menopause marks the end of the life period in which a woman is able to have children, while andropause rarely prevents a man from having children.
There are a number of physical and emotional conditions associated with andropause. Changes in libido are common, sometimes even the quality of the male erection changes. Lower testosterone levels can also lead to a lack of energy in general, which in turn can cause some changes in the ability to concentrate, an increase in sensitivity to light and sound, and emotional depression. Many doctors recommend a variety of testosterone replacement therapy. Essentially, this form of therapy has to do with injections or other means of absorbing replacement doses of testosterone. The dosage will vary, depending on the findings of the treating physician. Replacement therapy is helped with changes in diet and exercise patterns. Combined, these approaches help improve overall physical condition and mental outlook.
Because many men are reluctant to see a doctor, especially when it comes to changes in sexual desire and performance, the number of men who are currently receiving treatment for andropause may or may not be representative of the general male population. While all men experience a decline in testosterone production over the years, some men experience a slower decline. Often, the level of physical activity and fitness, as well as dietary habits, can minimize the severity of symptoms associated with the condition.
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