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Androgen Decline

Meaning

Androgen Decline refers to the progressive, age-related decrease in the production and circulating levels of androgens, primarily testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), in both men and women. In men, this is commonly referred to as late-onset hypogonadism or andropause, characterized by a slow, steady reduction that often begins after age thirty. For women, the decline in ovarian and adrenal androgen production occurs during the perimenopausal and postmenopausal transitions. This hormonal shift can contribute to a spectrum of clinical symptoms, including reduced bone mineral density, diminished muscle mass, and changes in sexual function. Clinicians assess this state by measuring total and free androgen levels, often alongside gonadotropins, to confirm a biochemical deficiency.