When there is less testosterone available in a man's body, target organs that need testosterone cannot function properly, bringing about many changes. There is great variability in testosterone levels among healthy men, so not all will experience the same changes to the same extent. But typical responses to low bio-available testosterone levels include:

• Low sex drive
• Emotional, psychological and behavioural changes
• Decreased muscle mass
• Loss of muscle strength
• Increased upper and central body fat
• Loss of height
• Bone loss
• Decreased energy
• Frequent fatigue
• Mood changes

One quick way to check for symptoms of low testosterone is to take the ADAM test.

Why should andropause be taken seriously?

Apart from the impact andropause may have on your quality of life, there are other longer-term, silent effects of andropause that are harder to track. Your doctor will be able to tell you if you are at risk for one or more of these long-term effects.

next