While most people are familiar with menopause, there’s less knowledge surrounding hormonal changes in men as they get older. But, like women, men too experience a decline in certain hormones, most notably testosterone levels.
In men, this loss of sex hormones, or androgens, is sometimes called andropause. Though andropause is often described as “male menopause,” that isn’t accurate, because men aren’t faced with the same steep decline as women. That said, hormonal changes in men can be behind a host of unpleasant symptoms that are often chalked up to being a natural part of aging.
As an expert in men’s sexual health and hormones, Dr. Ken Patterson helps correct imbalances to restore men’s health, vitality and well-being. In this post, we’ll be covering the common changes in hormones his patients experience.
Male Hormones Go Beyond Testosterone
While testosterone is the most well-known and potent male sex hormone, or androgen, it’s not the only one. Hormones, and the chain of events involved in their production, are complex. For the purposes of this post, we’ll keep things simple by focusing mainly on testosterone.
The Role of Testosterone in Men’s Health
Testosterone is important because it helps men:
- Maintain strong bones and muscles
- Make sperm
- Get and maintain erections
- Maintain sex drive
- Produce red blood cells
- Grow hair
- Maintain a healthy distribution of body fat
- Balance mood
- Have energy
Testosterone Levels Peak in the Late Teen Years
At puberty, a boost in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) causes a dramatic increase in testosterone production. In general, testosterone production peaks by age 17 and continues to remain high throughout a man’s 20s.
Testosterone Starts to Decline After Age 30
After age 30, testosterone levels may start to decline by approximately 1% each year. Studies, such as one published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, have found that certain conditions and risk factors, such as obesity, chronic disease and medications can cause a more significant decrease in testosterone.
It’s Not as Simple as Evaluating Total Testosterone Levels
Testosterone in the blood is either free or bound to a protein. It binds tightly to sex hormone-binding globulin and weakly to albumin. Only free and albumin-bound testosterone are bioavailable, meaning active in the body.
Unfortunately, sex hormone-binding globulin increases with age, which reduces the amount of free and albumin-bound testosterone. So while a man’s total testosterone levels might be “normal,” they can still be deficient where it’s most important, in bioavailable testosterone the body can use.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Men
Signs of low testosterone in men include:
- Low sex drive
- Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
- Low sperm count
- Trouble sleeping
- Decrease in muscle mass
- Increase in body fat, particularly in the belly
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Irritability
- Trouble concentrating
- Bone loss
How to Boost Testosterone Levels
While there’s no shortage of tips online for how to boost testosterone levels, take them with a grain of salt. It’s in your best interest to see a physician who specializes in hormone replacement therapy for men like Dr. Patterson. He can fully assess your health and hormone levels before creating a tailored plan that will be safe and effective for you.
For many men, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an excellent way to treat low testosterone. Dr. Patterson uses bioidentical hormones, which are chemically identical to the ones your body produces. This helps you optimize your testosterone levels without the risks associated with traditional hormone therapy.
To maximize your results, you can combine HRT with lifestyle changes, including:
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy body weight (a 2015 review found overweight men are more likely to have low testosterone)
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating a well-rounded, healthy diet
- Avoiding excessive alcohol and tobacco
The Powerful Benefits of Hormone Therapy for Men
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for men is a natural way to replenish or augment testosterone levels. Treatment may:
- Improve sexual health and function
- Enhance mental clarity
- Help you maintain lean muscle mass and a healthier distribution of fat
- Boost your energy
- Improve your mood
- Promote better sleep
- Have a protective effect against age-related decline and disease
How Does Testosterone Therapy Work?
While testosterone injections used to be the norm, they aren’t the only option today. At Restore Wellness Centre, many patients opt for bioidentical testosterone pellets.
We start treatment with comprehensive labs and a consultation. Based on the findings, Dr. Patterson determines your customized dose of testosterone. He numbs the treatment area and inserts testosterone hormone pellets containing that dose just under the skin in the upper buttock area.
Once in place, the pellets release a consistent dose of testosterone. Over time, the pellets dissolve, so they don’t need to be removed. Most of our male HRT patients come in for a pellet session once every five to six months.
Regardless of whether you go for testosterone injections of pellets, Dr. Patterson will monitor your testosterone levels and health with followup labs, making adjustments if needed.
Book a Consultation with a Hormone Doctor in Abilene, TX
Not all doctors who prescribe testosterone can achieve the same results. Dr. Patterson combines a personalized approach and expert oversight to optimize testosterone levels and promote better health, stamina and well-being.
In addition to bioidentical hormone therapy, Dr. Patterson and the Restore Wellness Centre team offer solutions ranging from nutrition counseling to erectile dysfunction treatments, including the revolutionary P-Shot.
If you’re ready to feel like yourself again, call us at (325) 726-1179 to book a consultation with Dr. Patterson today.