While menopause in women is a well-established and well documented phenomenon, the andropause in men is a relatively new concept. The terms male menopauseand andropausesuggest that this is an abrupt phenomenon related to a sudden deprivation of sex hormones. Unlike the menopause, which has a relatively sudden onset, the andropause appears to be a gradual process. It has been hypothesized that an androgen deficiency might develop with aging. Androgens and the Aging Male explores this hypothesis. The book focuses on the gradually progressive problems related to the decline in androgens that can occur with advancement of age. It examines the debate about the extent to which an age-dependent decline in androgens leads to health problems that affect or impair the quality of life, and the theory behind it. In addition, it reviews studies evaluating the effects of androgen supplementation. Androgens and the Aging Male comprehensively covers androgen function and how it changes over time.

Popular culture often equates testosterone with virility, strength, and the macho male physique. Viewed by some as an "antiaging tonic," testosterone's reputation and increased use by men of all ages in the United States have outpaced the scientific evidence about its potential benefits and risks. In particular there has been growing concern about an increase in the number of middle-aged and older men using testosterone and the lack of scientific data on the effect it may have on aging males. Studies of testosterone replacement therapy in older men have generally been of short duration, involving small numbers of participants and often lacking adequate controls. Testosterone and Aging weighs the options of future research directions, examines the risks and benefits of testosterone replacement therapy, assesses the potential public health impact of such therapy in the United States, and considers ethical issues related to the conduct of clinical trials. Testosterone therapy remains an attractive option to many men even as speculation abounds regarding its potential.

At the beginning of the 20th century, life expectancy at birth in North America and Western Europe was around 50 years of age. Nowadays, women have gained more than 30 years of age and men are trailing closer. However, according to several sociologists such as Louis Chauvel, the notion of a "greying society" is not entirely adequate since aging people are physically and socially younger and more active for a longer time. Of course, the other side of the medal is to tackle the challenge of preventing age-associated chronic diseases. In this book the extensive field of research on neuroendocrine aging has been reviewed. Aging is one of the most complex biological processes determined by the interactions between genetic and environmental factors.

New developments in testosterone therapy are summarized here by internationally renowned experts. They review both basic and clinical knowledge in fourteen chapters. The book begins with the biochemistry of testosterone, its biosynthesis, metabolism and mechanisms of action in target organs. Three chapters deal with specific aspects of testosterone action, namely its role in spermatogenesis, its psychotropic effects and its effects on bones. Syndromes caused by androgen resistance are described in order to highlight the importance of properly functioning enzymes and receptors in the target organs. Causes and symptoms of male hypogonadism, the major indication for testosterone treatment, are described. Five chapters are devoted to the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and clinical uses and abuses of testosterone preparations. The new transdermal testosterone application is described in detail. Side effects of testosterone treatment are reviewed. The possible role of androgens in the development of prostatic hypertrophy and carcinoma is discussed extensively since this question is of major concern to the clinician.

Written by international authorities, this book is aimed at clinicians dealing with male patients rendered infertile by cancer therapy.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of endocrinology of the male reproductive system, explaining how it works and how, sometimes, it fails to work. World-class specialists present state of the art knowledge on all aspects, including anatomy, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations of testicular diseases, endocrine aspects of andrological and sexual diseases, and therapy. Extensive consideration is given to sexual development, testicular function, the clinical approach to disorders of male reproduction, male hypogonadism, sexual dysfunction, and male infertility. In addition, sociodemographic, psychological, and ethical aspects of male reproductive disorders are discussed. The book is intended as a major reference for endocrinologists, andrologists, and sexologists, as well as basic and clinical scientists. It is published as part of the SpringerReference program, which delivers access to living editions constantly updated through a dynamic peer-review publishing process.

Sooner or later, starting from forty, each man knows various disorders: general tiredness, overweight, cardiovascular troubles, sexual problems, memory losses, irritability, and tendency to depress. Often, they put these disturbances on stress and overwork. These disorders are actually due to a natural phenomenon easy to diagnose: the progressive reduction in the production of male hormones. It is the androgenic disease of andropause or andropause disease. To neglect this phenomenon leads to early aging and the development of psychological problems, which can affect personal life. However, for many years, the treatment of male aging exists. Thanks to suitable hormonal proportioning, it is possible to slow down aging and even to prevent it. But for lack of information or because they do not dare speak of their problems, men seldom resort to medicine. Georges Debled MD, Associate Professor of Urology, and specialist in andrology joins together in these bright and precise book results of most recent medical research and its forty years of experience on treatment and prevention of aging diseases. He presented this topic in Dallas in 1992. Unfortunately, generally, androgenic disease of andropause is only recognized, occasionally and tardily by doctors, at its end-stage called Low Testosterone in old age. But andropause disease has a commencement around forty, and sometimes before. That condition produces a pathologic fall in the production of dihydrotestosterone, the potent sexual hormone produced from the transformation of testosterone, and, consequently, sexual aging. With time, lack of androgens induces diabetes, high cholesterol, arterial rigidity and hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, osteoarthritis, hearing and eye troubles, nervous breakdown, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's diseases. The Ageless Man explains the facts and principles of sexual aging, prostate problems, and conditions of aging since their early stages; and how to prevent them. Prevention of diseases of aging should be a priority for everyone who wants to live healthy longevity beyond eighty. The Ageless Man is already born. Do you want to be him?