title: Andropause or male menopause? Rationale for testosterone replacement therapy in older men with low testosterone levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide rationale for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in older men with low testosterone levels and symptoms consistent with testosterone deficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  The relevant literature was reviewed using PubMed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cross-sectional and longitudinal population-based studies indicate that total and free testosterone levels fall with aging, and they may be accompanied by symptoms consistent with androgen deficiency. Testosterone treatment of younger men with very low testosterone levels and hypothalamic, pituitary, or testicular disease is associated with improvements in symptoms, body composition, bone density, and hematocrit/hemoglobin. Studies evaluating testosterone treatment of older men with low testosterone levels are limited, but they suggest some increase in fat free mass, some decrease in fat mass, and some increase in bone density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Testosterone Trial should provide definitive information regarding the potential benefits of TRT in men ≥65 years of age. If efficacy is confirmed, we will still need more information regarding the risks of TRT in older men.
authors.affiliation: St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Glenn R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Cunningham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D047649:Andropause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone