What is Aging Male Syndrome
Aging Male Syndrome, also called as AMS, is known as the male menopause. AMS is a period between 40 and 55 years of age, when the male hormone levels decrease with time and it has certain effects on the male body.
What is Aging Male Syndrome?
Aging Male Syndrome or AMS is the process which men go through between the ages of 40 and 55 when their hormone levels go down. Testosterone is the main hormone which helps maintain sex drive, sperm production, pubic and body hair, muscles and bones. Testosterone levels go down with age; it’s a normal process in healthy males. However, men do not lose their fertility, unlike women who lose fertility when they reach menopause.
Symptoms of Aging Male Syndrome (AMS)
All men experience different symptoms while going through AMS, some men’s hormones level go down more than others. A decline in testosterone has different effects on a man’s body, such as:
- Feeling fat/ weight gain
- Sleeping problems
- Nervousness
- Loss of interest in work
- Tiredness
- Less interest in sex
- Hair loss
- Increased urination
Various Treatments For Aging Male Syndrome (AMS)
Men who face problems regarding AMS should feel confident to contact their physicians and try different treatments which can make the transition phase easier.
There has been no specific treatment for AMS. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involving testosterone is there, but the therapy has not been proved safe or effective.
TRT Therapy Comes in these Forms
Skin patch
It's an easy to use patch, applied daily to upper arm, back, thigh or abdomen to help maintain a balanced amount of testosterone in body. However, in some cases the skin gets irritated form the patch or testosterone does not get absorbed through the skin.
Injections
Injections are gives once a week or every two to three weeks to men suffering from AMS. The use of injection makes the testosterone level fluctuate as it creates abnormal highs and lows in hormone level.
Testosterone Buccal System
A testosterone tablet is placed in the upper gum area of the mouth for 12 hours. It sticks to the gum and releases testosterone in the body. The tablet should not be chewed.
Gel
An easy to use gel is applied to the skin daily on shoulders, upper arms and abdomen which maintains a balanced amount of testosterone in the body. However, in some cases, the testosterone does not get absorbed well into the body.
Oral Preparation of Testosterone
It is rarely prescribed for men suffering from AMS as it holds the danger of severely damaging the liver.
Benefits of Testosterone Therapy
- Improved libido
- More energy and improved sense of well being
- Increase in bone and muscle mass
- Better mood
- Rise in hemoglobin levels to the normal range
Risks of Testosterone Therapy
Testosterone therapy may have these risks:
- High chance of prostate cancer
- Rise in hemoglobin level above the normal range
- Acne
- Testicles get smaller
- Skin reaction from patches and gel
- Sleep apnea (stopping of breath during sleep)
- Liver damage from intake of testosterone
Guide Lines Before Taking TRT (Testosterone Therapy)
Before you start taking TRT, get the hemoglobin level tested, and a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test and talk to your doctor regarding various risks that this therapy posses. After starting on the TRT, continue visits to doctor to see if it its working and after every three months visit your doctor to see how you respond to the treatment.
People with heart problems or renal inconsistency should use TRT with caution. Also, men with abnormal result on PSA level should have a negative prostate biopsy before use of TRT. |
