Testosterone deficiency in old age men is also called in medicine Andropause designated. Testosterone is the most important male sex hormone. It is instrumental in the development and growth of men. With increasing age, the production of testosterone decreases, which can lead to erectile dysfunction and osteoporosis, among other things.
What is testosterone deficiency?
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The term testosterone is made up of “testis” (testicles) and “steroid”. The sex hormone is produced in the so-called Leydig cells, which are located in the testes. Testosterone causes the formation of sexual characteristics even before birth and ensures their further development and sperm production during puberty.
It also contributes to the growth and maintenance of the entire body. On the one hand, testosterone ensures a deeper voice, muscle build-up, thicker skin, increased metabolism, body hair formation (not the scalp hair) and the sex drive in men and, on the other hand, it causes hair loss and the male "showing off". (But women also produce testosterone in their ovaries and adrenal cortex, albeit far less than men do.)
The testosterone level of the man peaks between the twentieth and thirtieth year of life, after which the production of testosterone decreases annually by about one to two percent.
causes
The causes for one Testosterone deficiency in old age men lie in the natural aging process and the associated physical changes, whereby an unhealthy lifestyle and lack of exercise can additionally restrict testosterone production. The concentration of other hormones that help to regulate testosterone, which decreases with age, also contributes to testosterone deficiency.
In this phase of life, which is known as "andropause" or "climacteric vinile", the testosterone level of the man drops so that there are noticeable changes, both psychological and physical, which the man may ignore, but not deny .
This process can therefore be understood as a counterpart to the menopause in women, even if the male sex hormones still predominate in men. “Late onset hypogonadism” is the name of the most common form of decreased testosterone production. Around 30 percent of all men over 40 years of age are affected by this testosterone deficiency.
Symptoms, ailments & signs
The age-related decline in the sex hormone testosterone in men shows a variety of signals. Around a fifth of them suffer from it between the ages of 60 and 75. In contrast to women, the hormonal restructuring is gradual and less pronounced. A general sign of deficiency is physical stamina, which is noticeably decreasing. From a psychological point of view, the decreasing motivation that can be seen in a wide variety of topics is noticeable. Overall, life satisfaction drops significantly.
There are three main symptoms that are typical of andropause. They directly affect sex life and do not remain hidden from the partner. The earlier rapid erection and its strength are reduced. In addition, physical desire is weakened. As a third sign of dwindling manhood, there is less frequent morning swelling of the penis. In sum, the psyche suffers enormously.
A number of those affected develop further complaints, which show up differently for each man. The physique changes due to the decrease in muscle mass and the increase in fat tissue. The head hair is slowly thinning and the beard grows weaker. Some of the patients suffer from persistent nervousness, inner restlessness and sleep disorders.
Unprecedented sweat and heat attacks are less common. Some find it difficult to concentrate longer. There are also signs of poor memory. In individual cases, depression cannot be avoided.
Diagnosis & course
To the Testosterone deficiency in old age men to determine, the blood serum is usually examined. In order to achieve a reliable diagnosis, the blood must be drawn in the morning, as the testosterone level is subject to strong fluctuations during the day. So it reaches its highest value early in the morning, while it sinks to a minimum in the afternoon.
Signs of decreased testosterone production can include erectile dysfunction and a general decrease in potency and libido. Osteoporosis, reduced physical and mental performance, palpitations and sleep disorders are also the consequences of a testosterone deficiency.
Complications
Testosterone deficiency in men in old age can lead to various complications. Those affected primarily suffer from very pronounced muscle weakness. This also leads to weight gain, so that those affected are dissatisfied with their weight and often also with their appearance and are ashamed of it. Permanent tiredness and fatigue also occur and cannot be compensated for by sleep.
Most of those affected also develop depression or inner restlessness in old age due to the lack of testosterone in men. In children, the testosterone deficiency in men can lead to severe restrictions in growth and development in old age. The children are often tired and cannot concentrate. The complaint can also have a very negative effect on sexual pleasure, so that there may be complaints with your own partner.
Treatment of the disease in most cases is carried out with the help of hormones. There are no complications. However, those affected are mostly dependent on a lifelong intake. If the testosterone deficiency in men is triggered in old age due to an underlying disease, this must also be treated.
When should you go to the doctor?
Changes in the hormonal balance are normal over the life span and are part of the natural process. A doctor is not always needed when they occur. The breakdown of testosterone takes place in men over 60 years of age or later. It is slow and creeping. Normally, a doctor's visit is not necessary for this development.
If the person concerned suffers from the physical changes, he should consult a doctor. The decrease in libido or sexual activity is considered a natural process. If the person concerned notices that he is not in line with this, the changes should be discussed with a doctor. If sleep disturbances, night sweats or heat attacks occur, a doctor should be consulted. Changes in hair growth, personality disorders and emotional feelings must also be examined more closely by a doctor. Although the symptoms are natural in men at an old age, it must be clarified whether there are other diseases. An inner restlessness, nervousness and a feeling of imbalance are also among the symptoms of a testosterone deficiency.
If the person concerned is under 60 years of age, he should always initiate a doctor's visit when he has complaints. Here, the lack of testosterone indicates further inconsistencies that should be investigated.
Treatment & Therapy
To treat Testosterone deficiency in old age men different therapies are used. In all of them, the testosterone that is missing in the body is supplied from the outside.
The oldest form of hormone treatment is called a monthly injection. This takes place at an interval of three to four weeks, although the testosterone level can still be subject to strong fluctuations. A special gel, which is applied to the skin daily, achieves better results.
The scrotal plaster that is stuck on the scrotum every day also keeps the testosterone level relatively constant, but is perceived as annoying by some men. The 3-month injection is still a new form of treatment with good results. It has the advantage that the testosterone deficiency in men in old age can be eliminated over a longer period of time without them having to worry about it.
In some countries it is possible to insert testosterone implants under the skin. With a short outpatient procedure, the testosterone level can be maintained over a period of half a year.
However, little is known about the long-term damage and other risks caused by the external administration of testosterone. There are also numerous possible side effects (such as thrombosis, depression, stroke, damage to the heart muscle or the formation of liver and kidney tumors) that can occur especially with the intake of synthetic testosterone.
You can find your medication here
➔ Medicines for potency and erection problemsprevention
To that Testosterone deficiency in old age men To prevent as much as possible, emphasis should be placed on a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet as well as exercise.
Since stress, obesity, alcohol, drugs and certain medications such as psychotropic drugs or corticoids also have a negative effect on testosterone levels, it can be said in summary that the testosterone deficiency in men can at least be alleviated by changing habits in old age.
Aftercare
During testosterone replacement therapy, it is very important to monitor the prostate with regular check-ups in order to detect the development of prostate cancer at an early stage. The treatment interval should initially be three to six months and then start again after a year. The examinations should then be continued annually. The parameters to be controlled are the tumor marker PSA and the rectal examination of the prostate.
Since testosterone leads to increased erythrocyte formation, the hematocrit and hemoglobin value should be determined regularly. Here, the ability of the blood to flow should be monitored in order to counteract thromboembolic events. Studies have shown that starting testosterone replacement therapy is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism.
The risk of such a serious side effect is highest in the first three months after starting therapy. Regular check-ups should also be carried out in the case of pre-existing cardiac diseases. Therapy successes can be seen over a period of months to sometimes even years.
The fact that the lack of male hormones can also lead to mental impairments should not be overlooked. Therefore, in the follow-up care, it is important to consider offering accompanying psychotherapeutic therapy. The offer of self-help groups is also an important part of holistic aftercare.
You can do that yourself
Andropause is a natural phenomenon that disappears on its own after a few months. Treatment is only necessary if symptoms arise. Hormone replacement therapy can be useful for symptoms such as hair loss or mood swings. The man should seek treatment at an early stage and, ideally, talk to the family doctor about the symptoms.
Therapy can be supported at home by a change in diet and various general measures. The diet should be balanced and healthy during this break. It's also a good idea to spend a lot of time outdoors to stimulate the body's testosterone production. Sport should also be practiced. Physical activity contributes to a healthy hormone balance and can counteract the typical symptoms of testosterone deficiency. In consultation with the doctor, there are also various potency-increasing agents. The detailed measures that make sense must be discussed with the doctor.
Middle-aged men who notice symptoms of andropause are best advised to speak to their family doctor. The medical professional can perform a physical exam and use the results to suggest appropriate therapy. If necessary, other specialists as well as nutritionists and sports medicine specialists can be called in.
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