Androgens and the Aging Male

Book excerpt: While menopause in women is a well-established and well documented phenomenon, the andropause in men is a relatively new concept. The terms male menopauseand andropausesuggest that this is an abrupt phenomenon related to a sudden deprivation of sex hormones. Unlike the menopause, which has a relatively sudden onset, the andropause appears to be a gradual process. It has been hypothesized that an androgen deficiency might develop with aging. Androgens and the Aging Male explores this hypothesis. The book focuses on the gradually progressive problems related to the decline in androgens that can occur with advancement of age. It examines the debate about the extent to which an age-dependent decline in androgens leads to health problems that affect or impair the quality of life, and the theory behind it. In addition, it reviews studies evaluating the effects of androgen supplementation. Androgens and the Aging Male comprehensively covers androgen function and how it changes over time.