Andropause is a collection of symptoms resulting from age-related decreases in testosterone levels which begin to decline after age 30. Symptoms of andropause (low testosterone) might include things like low energy, lack of motivation, weight gain/muscle loss, erectile dysfunction, and loss of sex drive, among others. For most men symptoms become obvious midlife but can occur earlier or later in some individuals. Unfortunately, the onset of symptoms tends to be insidious in nature and often attributed to the natural misfortunes of aging. That paired with the lack of knowledge in the general public and the lack of acceptance in the medical community results in andropause going unrecognized and under-treated. General practitioners following conservative guidelines are likely unaware of how many patients would benefit from treatment. The good news is that a simple treatment does exist if you find the right provider.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) increases levels of testosterone and resolves most symptoms of andropause. If that is not enough other adjunctive treatments can help with specific symptoms if needed. Beyond symptom management, reasonably increasing testosterone levels can help mitigate some of the common diseases of aging like diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, bone fractures, and others. Like most things, TRT does not come without risks but as long as providers are keeping levels in a normal physiologic range it appears to be efficacious and safe. Remember, testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone in the body.
Andropause is not a necessary part of aging and hormone optimization is becoming more normative because of its significant impact on quality of life. There is no need for a man to live with the unpleasant symptoms of andropause when simple solutions exist. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not agree with that and set the laboratory standards for TRT so low that most men do not qualify despite being symptomatic. What that means is that treatment comes at an out-of-pocket cost to the patient. So, it becomes a cost-benefit analysis of the quality-of-life benefits paired with potential risk mitigation and the monetary cost of treatment. Most men who begin TRT experience a significant reduction in symptoms, positively impacting their lives and making the cost-benefit equation an easy decision.
TRT is a lifelong treatment for symptom management, if therapy is discontinued a man can expect to return to his baseline symptoms. If you are experiencing the symptoms of andropause it is worth seeking out a clinic that specializes in TRT to have an evaluation completed to assess if you would be a good candidate for treatment.
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