Male menopause: is it a real clinical syndrome?

Climacteric. 2011 Feb;14(1):15-7. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2010.507442. Epub 2010 Jul 30.

Abstract

The association between aging-related testosterone deficiency and late-onset clinical hypogonadism in men remains a controversial concept. Several descriptive names, such as andropause, male menopause, partial androgen deficiency of the aging male and late-onset hypogonadism, have been suggested in an attempt to connect the age-related decline in androgen production and symptoms of aging in men. However, despite many studies, no clear correlation has been established and, as a result, there is also a debate over the use of androgen replacement therapy in this clinical set-up. Nevertheless, new data from large-scale studies have been recently published, which shed more light on this complicated issue. A recent New England Journal of Medicine article demonstrated that only a minor fraction (2%) of elderly men suffer from this clinical syndrome and gave serum testosterone level thresholds that support it.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Androgens / therapeutic use
  • Andropause / physiology*
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / physiopathology
  • Testosterone / blood*
  • Testosterone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Testosterone