Whilst most men will have heard of the menopause, not too many have heard of the term Andropause. However, andropause is real and many men suffer from it.
As men age, they can encounter a number of symptoms which may indicate the onset of andropause. These symptoms include:
- Loss of sex drive. Many men worry why they become less interested in their sex drive which can lead of frustration within their relationships
- Erectile dysfunction. An inability to get an erection when needed, or if they can get an erection, it cannot be sustained long enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse.
- Emotional symptoms. Low mood, low self-esteem which include mood swings. A lack of energy is also a common symptom.
At Moorgate Andrology we see many men suffering from the above symptoms. Sometimes they have been suffering for a long time, putting their feelings down to stresses at work or family life.
These can have an impact and can affect sex drive and bring on erectile dysfunction. The stresses of everyday life are not the only triggers of andropause. Other contributory factors can also include:
- A poor diet full of junk food and not following proper mealtimes.
- A sedentary lifestyle because of a lack of daily exercise.
- Poor sleep routine
- Consuming too much alcohol
If some of these symptoms seem to resonate with you, then it’s time to do something about it.
You could see your GP and discuss your concerns with him/her. Alternatively, you could contact us to arrange an appointment to see one of our Urologists. They may arrange for you to have some investigations to check for any underlying conditions that could be the cause of at least some of your symptoms.
A typical blood profile that can be useful in the investigation of andropause includes:
DHEAs
This test measures the levels of DHEA sulphate (DHEAS) in your blood. DHEAS is an abbreviation for dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. This is a male sex hormone and is present in both sexes. DHEAS plays an important role in making the male sex hormone testosterone
FSH
FSH is an abbreviation for follicle stimulating hormone. If this test returns high levels, it could be a pointer to andropause. It could indicate that your testicles are not functioning as they should be.
Testosterone
This test will measure the level of this hormone in your blood. This hormone is the male sex hormone. Testosterone is made in the testes. It is important to check your testosterone levels as it is important for your sex drive. Testosterone levels decrease as you age.
Free Androgen Index
This test will tell us if you have a problem with your androgen levels. Androgens include testosterone. In this test the levels of total testosterone and free testosterone are measured.
The test measures the levels of total testosterone, free testosterone and a protein called steroid hormone binding globulin (SHBG).
LH
LH refers to a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland. In men it has an effect on the testes. It is known as gonadotropin. It is a luteinizing hormone. If you have signs of low testosterone this can be a useful screening test.
SHBG
SHBG is an abbreviation for a test called “steroid hormone binding globulin”. This will help tell us how much testosterone is going to the tissues. This test is useful if you have abnormal testosterone levels. It is also helpful if you are finding it difficult to get an erection.
