Treating Andropause With Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Andropause is a condition that affects many males, usually beginning during middle age.  The result of low testosterone throughout the body, andropause can have a profound effect on mood, energy levels, and sexual drive and performance. This common occurrence is similar to the female menopause; but, unlike in the case of women, men do not have a clear indication such as the cessation of menstruation to mark this transition in the aging process. Andropause is distinguished by a drop in hormone levels- specifically testosterone, a crucial component in the male body that regulates everything from mood to muscle development and sustainment. The bodily changes experienced by men may be accompanied by changes in psychological disposition, increased fatigue, decreased interest in sex, and loss of physical agility or strength.

A gradual decline in testosterone levels occurs in all men and is a natural part of aging. However, many men will experience symptoms of andropause that affect the quality of their daily lives, and thus may choose to seek medical help. Although it is difficult to predict the timing and extent of one's propensity for experiencing symptoms of andropause, knowledge about this phenomenon's causes, symptoms, and treatments can help men continue to lead healthy and active lives no matter what their age.

Typical symptoms of andropause are loss of muscle, memory loss, lowered libido, higher rates of body fat, and aches and pains. It can also increase the risk for heart attacks and osteoporosis.

Testosterone replacement in men with andropause can be highly effective and beneficial in alleviating the harmful effects of drops in levels of testosterone. However, hormone replacement therapy which uses synthetic hormones is less preferred as compared to Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (or BHRT) is a hormonal therapy that uses plant-derived hormones identical to ones produced by the human body. BHRT hormones are different from synthetic hormones because the synthetically manufactured drugs are made using inorganic chemical compounds. BHRT hormones are made specific to each patient, prescribed by a physician based on his unique medical condition and history, and supervised by the doctor to ensure the treatment is achieving the optimal health and well-being objectives.

BHRT for the purpose of testosterone replacement has proven to show the following results in men experiencing symptoms of andropause: 

1. Improvement in energy both physical, mental and emotional
2. Alleviation in levels of irritability, infuriation, depression, anxiety and fatigue
3. Improvement in mood and sense of well being
4. Better sleeping patterns
5. Increased libido and sexual performance
6. Decrease in fat mass and improvement in body mass
7. Better muscle performance
8. Decrease in potential risk of heart disease

Testosterone therapy and its beneficial effects can also improve one's attitude, reinforcing self-esteem and increasing confidence. Also, men with more properly balanced hormone levels experience increased energy that leads to sustained success in personal, professional, and social activities. For male patients andropause therapy is a treatment plan specific to each patient's specific needs. Biochemically, androgen replacement should aim not only to reach normal levels of serum testosterone, but also to normalize levels of those secondary hormones that are affected by testosterone levels, such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol.