The Andropause Mystery: Unraveling truths about the Male Menopause - Softcover

Robert S. Tan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0970706103 ISBN 13: 9780970706102

Publisher: Amred Publishing, 2009

Synopsis

Dr. Robert Tan draws upon his many years of treating older men during their Andropausal years to share his personal research findings (superbly illustrated with case histories) to define the Andropausal biological milestone for the aging male; describe the evolving physical, sexual, psychosocial and mental challenges encountered; explain the role of hormones and supplements relevant to the Andropause phenomenon; and offers unique perspectives on memory loss, erectile dysfunction and sexuality during the Andropause. Written with a completely reader friendly and accessible text, The Andropause Mystery is highly recommended to both medical professionals and the interested non-specialist general reader.

About this title

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Growing Old The aging process is associated with the loss of muscle mass, bone density, mental aptitude, multi-organ efficiency and general functionality, especially after the age of 40. Fat replaces muscle, and on average, males lose 12 to 15 pounds of muscle. Between the ages of 40 to 70 years, the average male also loses 15% of his bone mass and nearly 2 inches of his height, mainly as a result from osteoporosis. After age 40, even the testicles shrink and by age 70, 15% of men in this country are impotent. These alarming statistics are sad but true facts of the aging process. The Andropause is the time in a man’s life when the hormones naturally decline. Mosby’s Medical Dictionary defines the Andropause as “a change of life for males that may be expressed in terms of a career change, divorce, or reordering of life. It is associated with a decline in androgen levels that occurs in men during their late forties or early fifties”. Many have questioned whether the male menopause is more myth than reality. In truth there is an undeniable hormonal decline as one ages, and this in turn aggravates the aging process. Nevertheless, some men are still able to father children in their eighties, a famous example being Charlie Chaplain, the great comedian. This may prove a point that the Andropause is not universal, occurring in some, but not all, men. The changes come about because of down regulation of hormones including testosterone. I will try to define hormones. Hormones are chemicals that are produced in the body by organs called endocrine glands, and they regulate the function of other organs. Although mainly natural, hormones can be artificially synthesized today. Some examples of hormones include insulin, which regulates blood sugar, thyroxine, which regulates overall metabolism, and estrogens, which regulate female functions including reproduction. Hormones in themselves are regulated by a feedback system. It is a hierarchal system of control with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland being control centers. Regulatory or trophic hormones in turn control the function of individual hormo! nes. Let us next discuss what symptoms men have in association with the Andropause. What Symptoms are associated with the Andropause? Four to 5 million men are hypogonadic in the United States, and 60% are over the age of 65. However, statistics reveal that only 5% are treated for symptoms related to the Andropause. Between the ages of 50 to 70, some men report symptoms such as erectile dysfunction (failure to achieve an erection), general tiredness, mood changes, night sweats and sometimes palpitations. From my own research, which will be described in detail in a later chapter, I found that most men attributed erectile dysfunction to be the most significant event of the Andropause for them. Obviously erectile dysfunction can have many other causes including psychogenic ones, and a fuller discussion will be undertaken in later chapters. Apart from erectile dysfunction, mood changes can take place too. Some patients of mine have complained of nervousness, irritability and even depression. Other patients undergoing andropausal changes report the feelings of wanting to be closer to family and friends. Men often focus too intently on their career, money and power in their earlier life, often neglecting family and friends. In the andropausal years, men and take on a more “maternal” role, as if transitioning to become more motherly than fatherly. They become more concerned about their friends and family, as if regretting their former attitudes. It is interesting that many patients do not sense these changes in themselves, but rather it is the spouse that notices this and tells me that he is undergoing “the menopause”!

In andropausal men, night sweats and palpitations occur because of an overactive autonomic system in response to falling testosterone levels. Overactivity of the autonomic system can occur in diabetic patients and it is important not to confuse symptoms of diabetic autonomic neuropathy with that of the Andropause. Some disease states like hyperhidrosis, viral and parasitic infections can cause excessive sweating. Obviously a humid night in the tropics without air conditioning does the same, even for normal individuals! It is important not to dismiss or misdiagnose physiological changes related to the Andropause. At the same time, it is important not to over label the Andropause and miss some important pathology, like malaria for instance!

Review

Andropause is a legitimate physiological condition, notes Dr. Robert Tan,geriatrician at University of Texas and author of The Andropause Mystery. -- Toronto Star

Dr. Tan saw patients exhibiting certain symptoms and started doing his own research, eventually writing the book: The Andropause Mystery -- Staten Island Advance, New York

Dr. Tan: In the early part of the last century, men usually lived till 40, so andropause wasn't a problem. -- Business Times, Singapore, June 28, 2002

For physicians it is a good jumping off point into the literature and understanding the issues from patient's view point -- Book Review in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association

I will highly recommend it for my patients to help them answer questions and to get the most from life... -- Grant Fowler M.D., Professor of Family Medicine, Editor Prodedures for Primary Care Physicians, May 2001

It is highly recommended as an aid in understanding the hormonal changes that many men experience as they age. -- Men's Health section of www.about.com

Low testosterone can certainly cause fatigue, says Robert Tan MD of University of Texas, and author of The Andropause Mystery -- AARP Modern Maturity Magazine, Nov-Dec 2001

Men, if you haven't been feeling quite yourself in the boardroom or in the bedroom... -- American Way Magazine, August 2002

More men are experiencing what Bob has experienced. But most doctors never thought about the phenomenon- The Andropause Mystery -- Sun Star Davao, The Philippines, Aug 24, 2001

You can't completely prevent male menopause, but you can amelioriate its effects by taking care of yourself before reaching that certain age. -- San Antonio Express News

Edition details

• Publisher: Amred Publishing
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0970706103
• ISBN 13: 9780970706102
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 202