Andropauza

Andropauza

    * Introduction
    * Signs and symptoms
    * Causes
    * Treatment
Andropauza term covers all organic and psychological events seen in men between 50 and 70 years, due to the gradual reduction of androgen production. The term was created by analogy with "menopause", even though men do not have a landmark such as cessation of menstruation to mark this transition. Menopause is the physiological interruption of menstrual function in women between 45 and 55 years, accompanied by unpleasant symptoms and bone loss over the years.
Although there is an analogous phenomenon for men, the term "andropauza" is increasingly used to describe some symptoms common in middle-aged men and attributed to the decrease of testosterone. Andropauza is a hormone deficiency due to a reduced testicular function.
Androgens are male sex hormones produced by the testes and adrenal glands. Testosterone, whose concentration is 20 times higher in men than in women, is the principal hormone androgen. In men, androgens are the origin of secondary sexual characteristics (hair growth, voice, etc.). And maintain spermatogenesis (sperm production). They also play an important role in libido (sexual desire) and influences emotional behavior. In women, androgens are produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands.
Andropauza is defined as a decrease in serum levels of testosterone in men of a certain age, in the range of normal values observed in young men associated with a corresponding clinical syndrome of androgen deficiency.
Clinical syndrome consists of some symptoms (fatigue, reduced capacity to concentrate, irritability, loss of interest in sex) and signs (anemia, loss of muscle strength, muscle mass changes, decreased bone density, erectile dysfunction).