subject: An Article About Male Menopause, Symptoms, And Cures [print this page] Men over 45 years of age may experience what some call male menopause. This is caused by a reduction in the male hormone of testosterone. It can be caused by aging, or also by underlying medical conditions like obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
You don't have to be aging to experience a drop in testosterone if the testes are damaged. However, testosterone levels will normally reduce gradually as men age. Other times, an illness or condition may accelerate the reduction.
If you damage the testes via injury, infection, chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation, there may be impairment to testosterone production. This production is also mediated by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain.
When there is damage to either of these areas, regardless of the age of the man, there will be reduction in testosterone production in the testes. They will not send the right signals to encourage the production.
The reason a drop in testosterone is a problem is that it causes various conditions and symptoms. Men with low testosterone may also develop osteoporosis. They may complain of reduction in libido or sex drive, erectile dysfunction, depression, fatigue, and muscle weakness.
When a man experiences a severe deficiency, they can receive hormone replacement therapy. Most men don't need this though, as they have a very gradual reduction in levels due to aging.
There is an increased risk of prostate cancer with hormone replacement therapy, however, so it is something that needs to be weighed carefully. If you do decide it is the right course of action, you will want to check into your options. Treatment may be via patch, implant, oral medication, or injection.
Treating the symptoms often works well in many cases. For obesity, your doctor will probably recommend a diet and exercise regimen. For depression, you'll likely be given antidepressants.
