The difference between menopause and andropause

Male menopause, defined as the decline of testosterone levels in aging males, cannot be compared to female menopause, except to say that both conditions affect people who are in their mid-life.

Loss of vigor and sexual prowess, decreased physical and mental ability and increased risk for a number of illnesses, particularly those involving organ systems such as the heart and prostate, characterize andropause.

Andropause is an irreversible condition that can, in extreme cases, be characterized also by panic attacks, hot flashes, cold sweats and mood swings which can occur among men with very, very low testosterone levels.

In rare cases, young men – usually those suffering from pituitary disorders – can also suffer from the signs and symptoms of andropause.

There is no racial predisposition for this condition. The causes and symptoms are the same anywhere around the world. Although the first documented cases of andropause were recorded in the 1940s, it was Prof. Alex Vermeulen, an endocrinology specialist from Belgium who revolutionized studies on the subject by going to monasteries and monitoring the testosterone levels of monks.

Prof. Louis Gooren, an expert in the field of male aging and an endocrinologist at Vrije Universiteit Medical Center in the Netherlands, was the invited guest speaker of the Philippine Society for the Study of the Aging Male Foundation (PhiSSAM) during its recent symposium on "Central Obesity, Androgens and Cardiovascular Disease."

During an interview prior to his lecture, Gooren said that while all women go through menopause, less than 50 percent of men will experience andropause.

Gooren added: "Female menopause is a condition with distinct characteristics. Every woman will go through this but andropause is of a very different nature. Men’s testosterone levels decline very slowly and this leads to losing bone and muscle mass and vigor. Unlike menopause, which has a definite time-frame, andropause is a condition that lasts until the end of a man’s life."

Obesity, heart and liver conditions and diabetes, which contribute to lower testosterone levels, are believed to be major contributing factors for andropause in aging males. Men going through andropause are also prone to obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

The male hormone testosterone is vital in reversing androgen deficiency symptoms. Testosterone Replacement Therapies (TRT) available include oral preparations which are given to men who are diagnosed to have inadequate levels to sustain their "manliness."

Thus, TRT may improve their productivity and reduce symptoms which can also include erectile dysfunction.

According to Gooren, "awareness is the key to fighting andropause." He said that men over the age of 55 should see a doctor to have their testosterone levels checked.

Should three be a deficiency, it is best to see a doctor who understands the phenomenon. Usually, the doctor will give the patient medication in the form of testosterone replacement.

Gooren cited some practical health strategies to adopt in combating andropause. These include being mentally and physically active, health education and awareness and well-balanced meals.

Most important of all, Gooren stressed, "is for men to watch their weight and be proactive in seeing their doctor for regular check-ups."