90 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com C H A R L E S T ON COU N T Y M E D I C A L S OC I E T Y MEN WHO BATTLE AGING AND ANDROPAUSE By Theresa Stratford When women go through menopause, it’s characterized by the time in life when the woman stops having a menstrual period. Therefore, menopause is somewhat predictable, and there’s an end in sight. Men, on the other hand, may go through a time in life that is not as well defined. Otherwise known as andropause, it’s a process associated with a declining rate of testosterone levels that varies among the male population. Unlike menopause, andropause is quite unpredictable because there are an array of symptoms, and there is no end in sight – it lasts for the rest of a man’s life. Also, while women will experience post-menopause, there is no post-andropause. Most commonly, declining testosterone levels are associated with a lower libido and erectile dysfunction. However, insufficient testosterone in men can contribute to a number of male health issues, not just those related to sexual health. Ryan Smith, M.D., of Better Life Carolinas, said that testosterone levels begin to decline at a rate of about .5% to 1% starting at around age 30. The rate of decline is different for every man, but Dr. Smith mentioned that some studies have shown an 85% decline of testosterone levels in men between the ages of 40 and 70. “It basically starts to decline in men at around age 30, but it is an insidious decline, and it can also affect men differently,” he added. Dr. Smith explained that lower testosterone levels affect men in many different ways. For example, testosterone helps regulate body composition, and lower levels are associated with decreased energy. Testosterone can also regulate metabolism and red blood cells. Higher testosterone levels can contribute to a better immune system. Dr. Smith also noted that lower levels can affect mood and decrease memory function, since testosterone is related to overall cognitive skills. “The cognitive effects of lower testosterone levels mean increased anxiety, stress and irritability,” Dr. Smith said, adding that this condition also contributes to memory loss and poor concentration. Physically, lower testosterone is associated with an increase in fatigue and weight gain. Dr. Smith also explained that studies have shown that lower testosterone has been shown to cause a decline in overall job performance. Every woman experiences menopause, but not every man will go through andropause. Dr. Smith said some men are well into their 80s with average or above average levels of testosterone. On the other hand, there could be men who begin experiencing a decline in their 20s. “Unfortunately, there have been more studies in recent years that have shown that men are experiencing andropause at younger and younger ages – some of them even at age 15, and it goes up to age 39,” he commented. Dr. Smith admitted that no one knows why testosterone levels decrease but that there is speculation in the medical Ryan Smith, M.D.
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