Is it andropause? Recognizing androgen deficiency in aging men.
In primary care practice, it is not unusual to encounter male patients in their 50s or older who report having loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and depression. Such signs and symptoms may signal an age-related decline in androgen levels, which commonly begins after age 40. However, psychologic problems and medical illness often confound the diagnosis. Drs Tan and Pu, who are currently conducting research on androgen deficiency, discuss the diagnostic difficulties of the physiologic phenomenon of andropause and offer a comprehensive approach to clinical assessment and laboratory evaluation.
Tan
Robert S
RS
Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center, Houston, TX, USA. robert.s.tan@uth.tmc.edu
Pu
Shou-Jin
SJ
D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000502:physiology*; D002979:Climacteric / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone