Male Menopause

Men begin experiencing a decrease in testosterone production around age 30, and it continues decreasing by about 1 percent every year. This process is called andropause, and it can cause men to experience a decrease in energy, along with erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass and tone, low motivation and depressed mood, and weight gain. Dr. Tang also provides bio-identical hormone therapy for men, which can restore a man’s energy while yielding other benefits including improved sexual function, more muscle mass and definition, improved motivation, and loss of weight.

Counteract the Effects of Andropause

Menopause, or the period in a woman’s life around age 50 when her body begins producing fewer hormones and undergoing a number of physical changes, is a condition widely known in the public consciousness. Fewer people are aware that at the same stage in life, men also experience a pronounced decrease in hormone production known as andropause. Hormones are like “to-do” lists for your body, and without them, some functions cease. The physical and emotional changes that take place during andropause, including weight gain (beer belly), decreased sex drive, lower fatigue and motivation, poor endurance and memory, and difficulty sleeping, occur more gradually than in women. However, they can be equally difficult. Bio-identical hormone treatment for men, offered at our San Jose, California office, can help you enjoy many more years of youthful vigor. This all-natural treatment can replace your body’s missing hormones, helping you feel more energetic and enthusiastic about life. To learn more about how Dr. John Tang can help you counteract the effects of andropause, please contact our office today.

What Happens During Andropause

Starting around age 30, a man’s testosterone levels begin decreasing by an average of about 1 percent per year. A man’s testosterone level may have decreased by as much as 50 percent by age 70. Meanwhile, men can experience a deficiency in growth hormones and DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). All of these conditions can result in undesirable conditions including:

Changes in sexual function, including decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and a decrease in the size of the testicles
Sleep disturbance, including insomnia difficulty staying asleep, and overall feelings of decreased energy and sleepiness
Physical changes, such as reduced muscle mass, increased body fat, reduced strength, decreased bone density, hair loss, and gynecomastia, or the development of swollen, tender breasts
Emotional changes, including decreased self-confidence and motivation, depression, and a degraded short-term memory
Increased cholesterol levels
Weakened bones
Decreased heart function

To determine whether you are experiencing a pronounced decrease in testosterone, growth hormones or DHEA, Dr. Tang will conduct a blood test.