So you've heard about menopause and it's on for females right? Well actually, menopause isn't just for the females. Androgen deficiency, sometimes known as male menopause, is a condition in men characterised by lower amounts of the male hormones, including testosterone. Androgens are a group of sex hormones that men their 'manlihood' and are crucial to sexual and reproductive function. They are also responsible for secondary sexual characteristics such as body hair growth including beards, and bone and muscle development.
Testosterone is the major sex hormone in males and is produced in the testes. Some major functions of testosterone in the male body are:
- Assisting with bone and muscle development
- Growth of body hair including a beard
- Starting and completing puberty
- Change in vocal cords
- Sexual drive and function
- Prostate gland growth and function
- Sperm production
The pituitary gland in the brain controls the testes with two hormones called luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. Lower levels of these hormones or problems in the brain signals to the tests, result in androgen deficiency. some of the symptoms of androgen deficiency are non-specific and can mimic symptoms of other disease and include reduced sexual desire, hot flushes and sweating, breast development, depression, reduced muscle mass and strength, fatigue and hair loss.
The effects of androgen deficiency depends on how severe the deficiency is, its cause and the age at which the deficiency begins. Unlike female menopause, not all males experience androgen deficiency, therefore the term male menopause is technically incorrect as it implies all males experience the deficiency. If you think you may be suffering from androgen deficiency consult your GP.
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