Resumen

LICEA PUIG, Manuel E.  y  CASTELO ELIAS-CALLES, Lizet. Andropause. Rev Cubana Endocrinol [online]. 2006, vol.17, n.1. ISSN 1561-2953.

The presence of andropause in man as an expression of the decline of testosterone secretion is still a topic of discussion. The usefulness of hormone replacement therapy in these persons is also a cause of controversy. A review is made of some aspects of interest related to the definition, clinical manifestations, impact in the quality of life, and treatment of andropause, which is an insidious and slow process resulting from a gradual reduction of testosterone secretion. Biological, psychological, social, and environmental changes converge in this picture. Andropause is accompanied with hormonal alterations that are considered as responsible for the symptoms and clinical signs. Andropause has adverse effects on physical, mental and social health that bring about a deterioration of the quality of life. For some individuals, the hormone replacement therapy may revert the clinical manifestations and significantly improve the quality of life. However, other researchers discussed about the real indication of this therapeutic procedure, its advantages and disadvantages. It is concluded that the terms andropause and hormone replacement therapy are a topic of discussion nowadays, and it is necessary to conduct a long term study to accurately define its clinical picture and the advantages and disadvantages of hormone replacement therapy.

Palabras clave : Andropause; male climacteric; sexual dysfunction; male menopause; hormone replacement therapy; androgens; testosterone.

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