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As men age, they produce less
testosterone than they did during
their teen years and early adulthood.
Testosterone helps men maintain sex
drive, sperm production, pubic and
body hair, muscle, and bone.
The lowdown
on low testosterone
This decline in testosterone is
sometimes called aging male
syndrome or andropause. It is similar
to a woman’s decline in hormones
at menopause, but men’s testes
don’t stop making testosterone
the way that women’s ovaries
stop making estrogen.
And unlike women, who lose
their ability to get pregnant when
they reach menopause, men do not
necessarily lose fertility as they age.
Their hormone changes may cause
other symptoms, though. Not all men
have the same experiences.
“Men’s hormone
levels go down
different amounts,
and men may feel
many effects or
hardly any,” says
urologist Juddson
Chason, M.D., Anne
Arundel Urology.
You can get your
testosterone level
checked with a
simple blood test. If you learn that
you have low testosterone, consider
visiting a specialist such as an
endocrinologist or urologist.
Real Men Get Tested
See Your Doctor if You Have Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Juddson
Chason, M.D.,
Anne Arundel
Urology
Your primary care doctor isn’t just for
when you’re sick. He or she also will be
the one to:
•
Advise you about screening tests
and vaccines
•
Treat common illnesses such as sore
throats and the flu
•
Help you manage any chronic diseases
like diabetes or asthma
Your doctor may offer education and
counseling as well.
If you do encounter more serious
health problems, your primary care
doctor can act as a case manager. He or
she can recommend specialists, such as
a cardiologist (for heart disease),
and can help you keep track of the
different doctors and treatments you
may need.
This kind of comprehensive care
can have positive results. Research
shows that people who routinely see
a primary care doctor have better
overall health and lower healthcare
costs than people who don’t get this
kind of medical attention.
Complete, personalized and affordable
care—that’s what a primary care doctor
can deliver to you.
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians
Potential Problems
Having low testosterone can cause:
››
nervousness or irritability
››
problems sleeping
››
less interest in sex
››
erection problems
››
weight gain
››
depression
››
bone, muscle, hair, and energy loss
››
increased urination
››
problems with memory
and concentration
If you have any of these signs of
low testosterone, you should talk
to your doctor.
“Many of these changes can be
caused by diseases that can be
dangerous and should be ruled
out,” says Juddson Chason, M.D., a
urologist at Anne Arundel Urology.
Schedule It
We Can Help You
Find Dr. Right
Get our free checklist, “Top
questions to ask your doctor.”
You can also request a list of
the primary care providers on
the AAMC medical staff. Just
complete the simple online form
at
askAAMC.org/magazine
or
call
443-481-5555
.
Our easy-to-use “find a
doctor” directory is always
online at
askAAMC.org
.
Need Some ‘Manswers’? This docsTALK’s for You!
Do you have low testosterone? Are you dealing with the effects of aging? Watch
our latest men-only episode of docsTALK, AAMC’s live health discussion featuring
John Martin, M.D., and Robert Hanley, M.D.
Go to
AAMCdocsTALK.com
.