Aging and Testosterone

[pfpelican]

How Aging Affects Testosterone

June 10-17 is Men’s Health Week. We encourage you to read and share the Daily Tips this week with the men in your life.

Just as estrogen production declines in women's bodies, testosterone production slows down in men as they age. Although men have gradually declining testosterone levels during later adulthood, the decreases do not bring with them the physical side effects that many women experience during menopause. Though the idea of "man"opause (the clinical term is "andropause") seems logical, there's little evidence to back it up. Some men do report sexual dysfunction or lack of desire, fatigue and weakness as they age, but most of these physical complaints are the result of lifestyle factors like diet, stress and inactivity.

Commercial testosterone supplements may promise feelings of more energy, strength and virility - but rarely deliver. In fact, healthy middle-aged men taking this hormone may experience a placebo effect at best and an increased risk of prostate problems at worst. I recommend testosterone treatment only if physician-directed tests indicate that your body does not produce enough on its own; then its effects can be quite dramatic.

[FinallyRetired]

I read that testosterone supplements are like putting fertilizer on any prostate cancer that might going on, that might otherwise not be a problem.

[windsurf]

This is an improtant topic for males (and their SO's) and a somewhat complicated one. There are studies that dispute the link between T supplementation and higher PSA though there appear to be some docs who have formed a mini industry of prescribing T with not much more than a blood test for indication. Supplemenation aside, there are studies that show that abdominal fat enhances the aromatase enzymes that convert some of your pressure T into estrogen. Feminization. There are studies that show that overtaining lowers T. Make the most of what you have by maintaining lean body mass, eliminating belly fat, getting good sleep and reasonable exercise and avoiding dietary practices that inhibit formation of T such as very low fat. I don't think there are any proven over the counter supplements that will actually raise T but there are some that apparently inhibit the aromatase process thus freeing more of the endogenous T for use. I am interested in what others have found on this issue. I don't think my levels are low enough to warrant supplementation but I would like to do what I can to maximize endogenous production and avoid excess converstion to estrogen.

[maddythebeagle]

I had a pituitary problem in my 20s/early 30s that screwed up my test. The problem with a gradual decline is that you hardly notice untill you hit a "wall". Yes, the belly fat isnt good and will convert to estrogen...The point of trying to keep lean and healthy is a good one....