[Male climacteric syndrome (andropause)].
The concept of male climacteric syndrome or andropause was advanced 55 years ago based on the fact that some men aged over 50 would present similar clinical symptoms as menopausal women. Since then, many related concepts have been presented to describe this specific period of time in men's life, and controversies have never ceased on this concept and its implication. To represent this unique phenomenon in a very general manner, such terms as male climacteric syndrome (andropause), late-onset hypogonadism, and partial androgen deficiency in the aging male (PADAM) are extensively used in clinical practice at the present time. But strictly speaking, these terms differ significantly, each representing a specific physiological condition. Out of different objectives, researchers might use some of the concepts to design their experiments or summarize related data. But it is very important for them to clarify real intentions and particular characteristics of selected research objects, so as to choose and use a proper concept.
Guo
Yinglu
Y
Institute of Urology, Peking University, Beijing 100034, China.
Li
Hongjun
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000172:deficiency; D047649:Andropause; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013577:Syndrome
D000728:Androgens