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WHAT IS ANDROPAUSE?
As we progress from youth to senior, the most important
transforming factors are hormones. As the levels of certain hormones
decrease, it stands to reason that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will
partially reverse the negative effects that a person experiences. Women have
long had the opportunity for HRT during menopause, and the benefits are
obvious. Women feel better, have more energy, more libido and a greater
defence from the risks of coronary artery disease and osteoporosis. Men can
also benefit from HRT.
Both men and women have hormonal control occurring in the brain, and
more specifically in the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus detects that levels
of the hormone testosterone are inadequate. It sends a message to the
pituitary gland via gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The pituitary
receives the message of low testosterone from GnRH and releases
luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) at hourly
intervals. The FSH stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes (testicles) to
produce more testosterone. Once levels of testosterone are adequate, the
hypothalamus will stop sending GnRH to the pituitary. The process is called
a feedback system.
BRAIN:
hypothalamus
GnRH
pituitary gland: FSH and LH
TESTES:
Leydig cells
Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone
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