Andropause - What Is It?

Introduction

As men age, or advance through middle age, most of us men undergo what is known as Andropause, or sometimes referred to as male menopause. Many things can cause a man to develop Andropause, but the biggest reason is that a man starts to produce less and less testosterone.

Even with the reduced amount of testosterone, the levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) do not significantly fall off. This is an indication that the testosterone that is still available is used to make more DHT. DHT has been linked to male pattern baldness and an enlarged prostate.

So as a man reaches middle age, not only will his testosterone levels fall off, but he will also become more susceptible to male pattern baldness and an enlarged prostate.

Symptoms Of Andropause

The symptoms of Andropause may be pronounced or they may be subtle where you don't even notice them. There is an exam you can take at home to determine if you might have Andropause, this exam is called the ADAM Questionnaire. The exam asks you various questions, such as how energetic and how sexually active you are, are a few examples.

Some of the actual symptoms of Andropause are:

• A decrease in intellectual activity.

• A decrease in body hair, which could be an indication of male pattern baldness.

• Decrease in muscle mass and strength.

• A decrease in sexual desire.

These are some of the indications of Andropause, but as I said earlier, DHT becomes more prevalent and could also lead to an enlarged prostate.

How To Treat Andropause

One of the first things to do if you suspect you have Andropause is to consult your doctor. Your doctor will be able to confirm if you have Andropause or some other condition. Some of the things he may prescribe if he does determne you have this condition are:

• Testosterone Replacement Therapy- Some common forms of this type of therapy are the use of creams or patches, which will enter your bloodstream to increase your testosterone levels.

• Arimidex- Your doctor may also prescribe a prescription drug called Arimidex. This will also increase your levels of testosterone.

• Supplements- Supplements may also help with this condition. For example, it is recommended that you take flavonoids, which can be found in buckwheat, onions, citrus fruits and other such types of plants. It is also recommended that you take supplements to improve the health of your prostrate because of the high levels of DHT. Such supplements as pygeum and saw palmetto can improve your prostate health.

Conclusion

As men reach middle age, they could develop a condition called Andropause. This condition is caused by a lower level of testosterone in males.

About the author: Jim Chase was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate when he was 50. After he contacted a urinary infection, he decided to look for some relief from his condition. If you want to keep your prostate healthy or relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate, you need to visit this site http://www.prostratewellbeing.com to learn more about your prostate and how to keep it healthy.You will also find links to the ADAMS Questionnaire and the Prostate Symptom Score.

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Andropause and Metabolic Syndrome
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