Have you ever heard of male menopause? It results from decreased levels of testosterone. This chemical is the major male hormone. Reduced testosterone can contribute to everything from diabetes to high blood pressure to obesity, all common in men older than 45.
Testosterone is produced by the testes. It normally does reduce during aging, but in some conditions especially if the testes are damaged there can be a rapid decrease.
If you damage the testes via injury, infection, chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation, there may be impairment to testosterone production. This production is also mediated by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain.
If you have problems in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, you can also end up with lower testosterone than you should have. They may not send the proper signals to regulate production.
Very low testosterone levels can cause symptoms that are similar to women's menopause experiences. These include depression, fatigue, muscle weakness, less libido, erectile dysfunction, and so on. Men who have a testosterone deficiency may even experience osteoporosis.
When a man experiences a severe deficiency, they can receive hormone replacement therapy. Most men don't need this though, as they have a very gradual reduction in levels due to aging.
Hormone replacement therapy is only used in extreme cases because it increases risk of prostate cancer. If your doctor does decide that hormone therapy is right for you, you may receive oral medication, implants, patches or injections.
It's more likely that your doctor will treat symptoms of lower levels such as depression. You may be given anti-depressants. You may also be advised to make some lifestyle changes that will help keep your weight under control, like a healthy diet and an exercise regimen.
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