Both men and women undergo a significant shift in their hormone levels as they age—menopause for women, and andropause for men.
Unfortunately, these natural biological processes are unavoidable and lead to a wide range of symptoms. The good news is that they can both be treated safely and effectively through hormone replacement therapy.
Menopause
Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, though it can begin much earlier. For some women, the first stage of menopause—known as perimenopause—starts in their 30s.
During this time, the ovaries gradually decrease their production of estrogen and progesterone, the two primary female sex hormones. As a result, periods become less frequent and eventually stop altogether.
Hormonal Shifts and Their Impact on Women
The decline in estrogen and progesterone levels during menopause can lead to a variety of symptoms that may affect your daily life. Here are some of the most common symptoms:
● Hot flashes and night sweats: sudden feelings of heat, often accompanied by sweating and flushing of the skin.
● Vaginal dryness and discomfort: decreased vaginal lubrication, which can lead to pain during intercourse and increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
● Mood swings: irritability, anxiety, and depression, often seemingly from nowhere and with no clear reason.
● Sleep disturbances: difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, often due to night sweats or other menopausal symptoms.
● Weight gain and slowed metabolism: changes in hormone levels can affect how your body stores and distributes fat.
In addition to the decrease in estrogen and progesterone, the pituitary gland increases its production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in an attempt to stimulate the ovaries to produce more hormones.
Elevated FSH levels are often used as a diagnostic marker for menopause.
Navigating Menopause: Treatment Options and Lifestyle Changes
While menopause is a natural process, the symptoms can significantly impact your quality of life. Fortunately, a combination of hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle changes is often enough to help you feel like yourself again.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
HRT involves taking supplemental estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Most women find that HRT by itself significantly reduces or outright eliminates symptoms.
HRT comes in a wide variety of forms and is very easy to take. Most women choose estrogen pills as their preferred option, but patches, gels, and creams are also available. Time-release HRT pellets are another convenient alternative—they’re inserted under your skin and last for 3 to 6 months.
Lifestyle Modifications
Making healthy lifestyle choices can go a long way in managing menopausal symptoms. Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help you maintain a healthy weight and provide your body with the nutrition it needs to reduce the impact of your symptoms.
Regular exercise, including both cardiovascular and strength training, can improve mood, promote better sleep, and help maintain bone density. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga, can also be beneficial.
Additionally, avoiding triggers, like spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol, can help reduce the frequency and severity of your symptoms.
Andropause: The Male Menopause
While menopause is a well-known phenomenon among women, many men are not aware of the gradual hormonal changes they experience as they age.
This process, known as andropause or male menopause, is marked by a slow decline in testosterone levels, ultimately leading to clinically low testosterone (low T).
Unlike menopause in women, andropause does not result in a complete shutdown of reproductive function. Instead, testosterone levels typically begin to decrease by about 1% per year after age 30, leading to a wide range of frustrating and upsetting symptoms.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
As testosterone levels decrease, men experience a range of symptoms that can affect their quality of life:
● Reduced libido and erectile dysfunction: lower testosterone levels can lead to a decreased interest in sex and difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
● Fatigue and decreased energy levels: men may feel tired more often and more easily, and they may have less energy for daily activities.
● Loss of muscle mass and increased body fat: testosterone plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass and regulating body fat distribution. As levels decline, men may notice a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in body fat, particularly around the abdomen.
● Mood changes: irritability, depression, and mood swings are associated with declining testosterone levels.
● Decreased bone density: testosterone helps maintain strong bones, and as levels decrease, men may be at a higher risk for osteoporosis.
Just as menopause is irreversible, so is andropause. However, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can alleviate the vast majority of men’s symptoms, especially when combined with lifestyle changes.
Managing Andropause: Treatment Options and Lifestyle Changes
Most men with low T choose some form of TRT to combat their symptoms. While lifestyle changes can help with some symptoms, they tend to work best when combined with TRT.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Just like HRT for women, there are many options for TRT, including weekly injections, topicals (gels, creams, and patches), and pellets. While there have been major advances in oral testosterone (pills), it hasn’t yet become a common treatment method.
Most men choose either pellets (1 implant can last 3 to 6 months) or weekly injections, often given by their provider in the office during a quick visit. However, at-home self-injections are becoming more common.
Lifestyle Changes
Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help manage andropause symptoms and improve overall health. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise (particularly resistance training to maintain muscle mass), managing stress, and getting enough sleep.
Aim for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Try to exercise regularly to boost testosterone levels, improve mood, and maintain a healthy weight—high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and weight lifting work best.
If You’re Suffering From the Symptoms of Menopause or Andropause, We Can Help
Menopause and andropause might be natural, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with the symptoms—HRT or TRT can help you reclaim your life and start feeling like yourself again.
Learn more about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for women or TRT for men. You can also schedule an appointment with a specialist today to discuss your options.