Hormonal decline describes the physiological reduction in the production, circulating levels, or biological effectiveness of key endocrine hormones that typically occurs with advancing age. This process, often gradual, can lead to symptomatic changes in energy, mood, body composition, and sexual function. Clinically, this is most commonly observed as andropause (testosterone decline) in men and perimenopause/menopause (estrogen/progesterone decline) in women. The resulting endocrine shifts contribute significantly to the aging phenotype and diminished wellness.
Origin
The term reflects the clinical observation of age-related changes in endocrine function, recognized formally with the identification of menopausal symptoms linked to ovarian hormone cessation. It is rooted in the physiological understanding of the endocrine system’s finite capacity and the age-related desensitization of target tissues to hormonal signals. The study of this decline is central to anti-aging and longevity medicine.
Mechanism
The decline involves both primary gland failure, such as reduced steroidogenesis in the gonads, and secondary central changes, including altered pulsatile release of pituitary and hypothalamic regulatory hormones. Additionally, age-related changes in receptor sensitivity, known as receptor downregulation, mean that even adequate hormone levels may elicit a weaker cellular response. This multi-level failure disrupts the delicate feedback loops of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and other endocrine axes, leading to systemic dysregulation.
ACA wellness incentives can create barriers to hormonal therapies by rewarding biometric goals without covering the treatments that correct their underlying endocrine causes.
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