The diagnosis of andropause
The doctor will ask about how it feels to see if your symptoms match those of people with low testosterone levels. Then a blood test done to check the level of testosterone in the blood.
Because there are other conditions that are associated with low testosterone levels (eg, hypogonadism [which causes stunted growth and sexual development], diabetes, high blood pressure), your doctor may do tests to rule out these possibilities before make a diagnosis of andropause. Importantly, many of the symptoms of andropause are also a normal part of aging, and may not be reversible after treatment.
Replacement of testosterone in the blood is the most common treatment for men through male menopause. This treatment can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life in many cases. Lifestyle changes such as increased exercise, stress reduction, and good nutrition also help. Your doctor can help determine if testosterone treatment is to correct the situation, because the treatment is not the risk.
Testosterone is available in a variety of preparations, including transdermal patches, capsules, gels and injections. Your doctor will help you determine which treatment is best for you, and often will take into account your lifestyle to make that decision. Follow-up visits with your doctor will be important after the first treatment begins. At the follow-up visit, your doctor will check your response to treatment and make adjustments if necessary.
Lesions on the skin: the people who use the patch contains testosterone, a hormone to get through the skin. Patch allows a slow and steady release of testosterone in the blood. It is applied once a day for dry skin on your back, abdomen, upper arms or thighs.
Testosterone gel: This treatment is also applied to the skin, usually on the arms. Because the gel can be transferred to others through skin contact, someone, make sure to wash the gel hands after each use.
Capsules twice daily after meals, this is another option for testosterone replacement. Men with liver disease, poor liver function, severe heart disease or kidney disease, or excess calcium in the blood should avoid testosterone capsules.
The testosterone injections: This treatment consists of injections of testosterone (testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate *) in the muscle every 3 to 4 weeks. They can cause mood swings due to changes in testosterone levels. Men with severe heart disease, severe kidney disease, or too much calcium in the blood should avoid testosterone cypionate. Men with severe kidney disease should not take testosterone enanthate.
Testosterone should not be taken by a man with prostate cancer or breast cancer. If you have heart disease, certain medications such as anticoagulants, or have an enlarged prostate, liver or kidneys, you should discuss with your doctor if testosterone treatment is right for you.
* All medications have both common name (generic) and brand. The brand name is a manufacturer calls the product-specific (eg, Tylenol ®). The name is the name of the drug in medicine (eg paracetamol). A medication may have many names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common name. For more information on brands, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
The doctor will ask about how it feels to see if your symptoms match those of people with low testosterone levels. Then a blood test done to check the level of testosterone in the blood.
Because there are other conditions that are associated with low testosterone levels (eg, hypogonadism [which causes stunted growth and sexual development], diabetes, high blood pressure), your doctor may do tests to rule out these possibilities before make a diagnosis of andropause. Importantly, many of the symptoms of andropause are also a normal part of aging, and may not be reversible after treatment.
Replacement of testosterone in the blood is the most common treatment for men through male menopause. This treatment can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life in many cases. Lifestyle changes such as increased exercise, stress reduction, and good nutrition also help. Your doctor can help determine if testosterone treatment is to correct the situation, because the treatment is not the risk.
Testosterone is available in a variety of preparations, including transdermal patches, capsules, gels and injections. Your doctor will help you determine which treatment is best for you, and often will take into account your lifestyle to make that decision. Follow-up visits with your doctor will be important after the first treatment begins. At the follow-up visit, your doctor will check your response to treatment and make adjustments if necessary.
Lesions on the skin: the people who use the patch contains testosterone, a hormone to get through the skin. Patch allows a slow and steady release of testosterone in the blood. It is applied once a day for dry skin on your back, abdomen, upper arms or thighs.
Testosterone gel: This treatment is also applied to the skin, usually on the arms. Because the gel can be transferred to others through skin contact, someone, make sure to wash the gel hands after each use.
Capsules twice daily after meals, this is another option for testosterone replacement. Men with liver disease, poor liver function, severe heart disease or kidney disease, or excess calcium in the blood should avoid testosterone capsules.
The testosterone injections: This treatment consists of injections of testosterone (testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate *) in the muscle every 3 to 4 weeks. They can cause mood swings due to changes in testosterone levels. Men with severe heart disease, severe kidney disease, or too much calcium in the blood should avoid testosterone cypionate. Men with severe kidney disease should not take testosterone enanthate.
Testosterone should not be taken by a man with prostate cancer or breast cancer. If you have heart disease, certain medications such as anticoagulants, or have an enlarged prostate, liver or kidneys, you should discuss with your doctor if testosterone treatment is right for you.
* All medications have both common name (generic) and brand. The brand name is a manufacturer calls the product-specific (eg, Tylenol ®). The name is the name of the drug in medicine (eg paracetamol). A medication may have many names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common name. For more information on brands, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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