What is Andropause and who does it affect?

Andropause, also called “Low T” is the popular term for the condition associated with the physical, emotional, psychological and behavioral changes men experience as they age.

Testosterone is a hormone found in humans. Men have much higher levels of testosterone than women. Production increases during puberty and starts to decrease after age 30. For each year over age 30, the level of testosterone in men starts to slowly dip at a rate of around 1 percent per year. A decrease in testosterone level is a natural result of aging.

When a man’s hormones are not being produced in sufficient quantities it can have a negative effect on their health and quality of life.

What are the common symptoms of Testosterone deficiency?

• Fatigue
• Lack of mental acuity
• Loss of libido
• Difficulty achieving or sustaining an erection
• Depression
• Reduced muscle mass and strength
• Fragile bones
• Hot flashes and sweating

Symptoms of testosterone deficiency affect approximately 1 in 200 men and may include:

• weakness
• fatigue
• reduced libido
• osteoporosis
• depressed mood
• loss of energy
• erectile dysfunction
• aches and pains

This condition is commonly referred to as "Andropause".

A man may be considered hypogonadal at any age if total testosterone is less than 200 ng/dl, or bioavailable testosterone is less than 60 ng/dl. Basaria and Dobs of Johns Hopkins University recommend that elderly men with symptoms of hypogonadism and a total testosterone level < 300 ng/dl should be started on hormone replacement.

What is a “Bioidentical” hormone and how is it different?

Bioidentical hormones replacement differs from ordinary hormone replacement in a very important way.“Bioidentical” means the therapy is tailored for each patient and is meant to replicate each individual’s hormonal blueprint. Bioidentical hormones are an exact structural replica of endogenous hormones, and side effects are rarely observed. Compounding Bioidentical hormones gives us the ability to treat a patient’s specific, individual needs.

What are some positive responses to testosterone replacement that men have reported?

• Improvement in mood and sense of well-being
• Increased mental and physical energy
• Improved quality of sleep
• Decreased irritability, sadness, tiredness and anxiety
• Increase in lean body mass and muscle strength
• Improved libido and sexual performance
• Potentially less bone degradation and an increase in bone mineral density (BDM)

How long until I start seeing results from BHRT?

Most patients begin feeling better within a few months of beginning the program, but some results may take a bit longer to achieve. You may begin to feel a difference within a matter of weeks, especially when it comes to sleep patterns and energy levels. Every patient has a different experience, but the end result is the same—a healthier, more balanced life.