Andropause – „Man on fire“

 

 

Andropause (male climacteric) describes the gradual decline in sex and growth hormones with increasing age in men.

 

Andropause may not be solely grasped through testosterone, but it is a complex process of multiple hormonal dysfunctions affecting DHEA, growth hormones, estrogen, progesterone, pregnenolone, serotonin and melatonin.

 

The reduction of the aforementioned hormone systems can lead to various symptoms such as decreased vitality, depression, fatigue, irritability, loss of muscle mass, reduced libido and weight gain with fat accumulation around the abdomen and hips.

 

The causes of andropause can be categorized into three groups:

 

Age-related: the decline in anabolic and androgenic hormones varies from person to person, but it generally progresses slowly and gradually, often becoming clinically relevant only in later life stages (around the age of 70 and beyond).

 

Stress-related: stress-induced hypogonadism can even affect younger men, sometimes starting in their 20s and 30s. Increased psychological stress, distress, lack of sleep, intense work and family life as well as many leisure activities with, partly, high levels of physical activity (competitive sports) contribute to premature declines in sex hormones.

 

Metabolically-related:

• Obesity and insulin resistance lead to elevated estrogen levels due to high concentrations of the enzyme aromatase in fat tissue, which converts androgens to estrogens.

• Thyroid disorders often result in reduced levels of testosterone and progesterone. The thyroid hormone T3 regulates many genes in the testes which are involved in testosterone production.

• Zinc deficiency can lead to lower testosterone levels.

• Vitamin D3 levels correlate with testosterone levels; which means a deficiency in vitamin D3 often correlates with testosterone levels at the lower end of the reference range.

• High cortisol levels (stress hormone) lead to lower testosterone levels.

• A vitamin K deficiency affects testosterone production.

• A magnesium deficiency encourages lower testosterone levels.

 

Symptoms of andropause can have a significant impact on life. Getting a hormone evaluation and, if necessary, a supplementation with bioidentical hormones in time can be life-changing for affected men.