The concept of
male menopause and the need for hormone replacement therapy
as a treatment is highly controversial. A man's testosterone
level peaks at age 20 then slowly declines for the rest of
his life.
Andropause, signaled by a drop in
testosterone levels can be eventually be significant enough
to cause men to experience these symptoms to some degree:
- decreased energy and strength
- depression
- increased irritability
- decreased sex drive
- increased body fat
By using hormone
replacement therapy, these and other symptoms reportedly
can be diminished or even eliminated. Many doctors however
feel this type of treatment may be unwarranted and could
even be detrimental to the health of many men, see Keep
Testosterone in Balance
Oct. 16, 2000 -- Testosterone has been the
subject of controversy
recently, fueled partly by an April cover story in The
New York Times Magazine. Author Andrew Sullivan extolled
the effects of the hormone as treatment for his HIV-induced
deficiency. Citing bursts in libido, confidence, and energy
as a result, he refers to his testosterone injections as
"a biweekly encounter with a syringe full of
manhood."
Research in journals finds articles like "Andropause.
Testosterone replacement therapy for aging men."
which suggest that doctors are taking seriously this new
picture of the aging male.
