Andropause

My doctor has recently diagnosed me with andropause. If you’re wondering what that is, it’s also known as “male menopause”. It’s diagnosed by abnormally low testosterone levels.

What’s of interest is that the symptoms of andropause have significant overlap with those of sleep apnea. Lack of energy, sleepiness, irritabililty, inability to concentrate are all symptoms. Andropause also has links to osteoporosis, heat disease, type II diabetes, etc

For me, I’ve been suffering from these symptoms for about a decade. Despite many complaints to my doctor, and a host of blood test, stress tests, etc, it took 8 years of that decade to come to the diagnosis of sleep apnea. I’ve now been on the hose for approximately 18 months. But my symptoms have not improved much despite 100% compliance and excellent AHI numbers. I’m now a little less sleepy through the day. But I’m still suffering from all of the same symptoms.

And now I’ve been diagnosed with andropause. My doctor wants me to start hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

I guess I should be glad about this. It may be that I now have a solution to my chronic fatigue. But I’m not glad. I’m confused. And I’m wondering if I should start HRT.

HRT has a host of issues, mostly related to prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. This deeply concerns me because there’s a long list of cancer deaths on both sides of my family (including my father and several uncles who have died of prostate cancer). While at age 57 I’m free of symptoms, I’m realistic about my odds of avoiding this unpleasant way to go.

So what should I do? I’m interested in hearing from any of you who have faced this dilemna: HRT or not?

CPAPtalk is an invaluable for those of us with SA. Is anyone aware of an online support group for andropause?

As someone who went through menopause and couldn't handle HRT.....

Do a lot of research on herbal help.
Cheque out ginko and ginseng

There are a lot of "bio indenticals" out there for estrogen I don't know about male hormones
Though the herbal route is slow and some what torturous at times it can be effective - for women. It is very much "buyer beware" do your research well. And remember that many "alternative" remedies work on the person rather then the symptom so what works for your neighbour may not work for you.

Have you looked into idiopathic hypersomnia as a possibility?

Hose_Head wrote:...prostate enlargement and prostate cancer...

These are often stimulated by 2 of the 3 major human estrogens (yes, both sexes have estrogens & androgens, just different proportions). These cause cell proliferation as part of their function; they are kept in balance by the progesterone produced by the adrenal glands, about 3-4 mgs/day. You might ask your doc to test levels of these hormones to make sure they are in the expected ranges. Progesterone also activates a gene that specifically acts to protect us from estrogen-mediated cancers. Worth investigating. If you're low in progesterone, it's available from many health food stores as a cream (topical) labelled as USP Progesterone. Just make sure you use the right amt based on what you need. Women do saliva testing for best results...not sure 'bout you guys, would guess it's the same. Blood test does not evaluate the available amts just the bound amts which typically does not tell you if you have adequate amts circulating. I know that Doctor Norman Shealy (Mid-West somehwere if memory serves) had a protocol for prostate cancer that used topical progesterone...not sure if he's still alive, been a few yrs since I've checked.

Been there, done that. Things to check first. Are you overweight? Fat turns testosterone to estradiol which makes more fat. Exercise, reduces fat and helps make more Testosterone. Eat estrogen lowering foods.

Sorry I gotta go . Duty calls......

Chrisp

Thank you all for the leads. I've got some readin' to do .....