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Diabetes & Testosterone Replacement After Menopause

Women are not the only ones subject to menopause; men experience "male menopause," called "andropause." This involves a drop in male hormones. Left untreated, the effects of andropause can spiral into marital problems. One segment of the population most severely affected by andropause is men with diabetes. The good news is that there are treatments to minimize the symptoms.

  1. Andropause

    • The natural decrease in male hormones--androgens--typically starts in the 40s. Testosterone is most affected, and while it drops low enough to cause unpleasant symptoms, it doesn't stop completely as the estrogen supply does in women. Andropause is characterized by decreased lean body mass and increased fat. In fact, studies show that many men with diabetes and low testosterone are also obese. Depression and irritability, low sex drive and erectile dysfunction can result.

    Connection With Diabetes

    • Although all men experience andropause to some degree, the symptoms can have an earlier onset and be more pronounced in men with diabetes. Conversely, andropause can aggravate diabetes because of its effect on a man's weight. Together with other therapies for diabetes, addressing low testosterone can help minimize symptoms of andropause.

    Therapies

    • Natural remedies are available, such as ginkgo biloba and L-Arginine. Medicines for such symptoms as erectile dysfunction can also be prescribed. Testosterone replacement therapy is increasingly becoming popular as part of the treatment for both andropause and diabetes.

    Testosterone replacement therapy

    • Testosterone replacement therapy can be delivered in several ways. An injection can routinely be given every couple of weeks; a skin patch can be worn on the chest, back, arms or legs; or a topical gel can be rubbed into the skin. While it doesn't stop male menopause or cure diabetes, it has been shown to ease some of the symptoms of both conditions.

    Talk to your doctor

    • Ask your doctor to evaluate and measure your hormone levels. If the blood test comes back with low testosterone levels, he may suggest testosterone replacement therapy; if so, remember to ask about possible adverse reactions. Your doctor should closely monitor your prostate gland in particular, as men on testosterone replacement therapy are at higher risk of prostate problems.

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