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Male Menopause Caused by Low Testosterone

Low testosterone levels do not always lead to male menopause, although if the levels are low enough, coupled with age, they may be an indicator. Some but not all men go through male menopause.

  1. Identification

    • Male menopause, termed andropause, refers to a decline in levels of the male hormone testosterone. The decline normally occurs due to natural aging, but it can also be brought on by medical conditions.

    Causes

    • There are no known causes for andropause other than its direct link to low testosterone levels.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of andropause are very similar to those of menopause. They include mood swings, fatigue, depression and a decrease in or loss of libido.

    Diagnosis

    • Your physician will determine if you are going through andropause by asking about your medical history, as well as taking blood samples for hormone analysis. If your testosterone level is lower than it should be, you may be experiencing andropause.

    Treatments

    • Treatment for andropause focuses on symptomatic relief. The treatment of choice is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). If you have symptoms of depression, your physician may prescribe antidepressants.

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