Voice-over:
At the end of their childbearing years, during menopause, women see a major drop in the hormone estrogen, and with it, uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes and irritability. Men experience their own hormonal rite of passage as the hormone testosterone gradually declines, a mid-life change called andropause.
Voice-over:
University of Florida geriatricians say andropause affects nearly half of all men over 60 (sixty). But this relatively unknown syndrome is undertreated because the symptoms, including low energy, sexual dysfunction, depression, and even brittle bones are often confused with normal aging. Doctors say andropause can and should be treated in men with symptoms. However, just as hormone replacement has been linked to certain health risks in women, men shouldn’t push for testosterone replacement without careful consideration. Physicians say testosterone therapy can accelerate existing prostate cancer and, in overweight men, trigger sleep apnea.
Dr. Thomas Mulligan / UF Aging Expert:
“We have to learn from the mistakes we made with women and hormone replacement therapy, and figure out which men will benefit from hormone replacement therapy and how can we avoid the risks. The biggest risk, of course, being prostate cancer.”
Voice-over:
UF aging experts point out that although testosterone replacement therapy won’t prevent aging, It can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life, as older Americans strive to live active, vibrant lives after retirement. Men’s overall energy and libido can improve with the right hormone replacement regimen. But doctors say best of all, a healthy lifestyle in the younger years can help men naturally maintain testosterone levels later in life.
Dr. Thomas Mulligan / UF Aging Expert:
“So I think the key to prevention is good lifestyle from a very early age; we can’t change our genes, but if we engage in good lifestyles throughout our life, as we get into our 50s, 60s and even our 70s, we’re less likely to have difficulty with andropause.”
Voice-over:
From the University of Florida Health Science Center, I’m Eva Egensteiner.
