Andropause = “male menopause”
•Nothing like
menopause; many men father children into their nineties
•Due to decrease in androgen (testosterone) production as
a man ages = about 1% per
year after age 40
•Due to decrease in ability of testes to respond to LH
and FSH
•Decreases in:
•Ability to achieve and maintain erections
•Facial hair growth; voice pitch may rise
•Shrinkage of penis and scrotum
•Muscle mass
•Bone density = increased risk of osteoporosis
•Sex drive (libido)
May lead to depression and
irritability due above symptoms.