Abstract
The association between aging-related testosterone deficiency and late-onset clinical hypogonadism in men remains a controversial concept. Several descriptive names, such as andropause, male menopause, partial androgen deficiency of the aging male and late-onset hypogonadism, have been suggested in an attempt to connect the age-related decline in androgen production and symptoms of aging in men. However, despite many studies, no clear correlation has been established and, as a result, there is also a debate over the use of androgen replacement therapy in this clinical set-up. Nevertheless, new data from large-scale studies have been recently published, which shed more light on this complicated issue. A recent New England Journal of Medicine article demonstrated that only a minor fraction (2%%) of elderly men suffer from this clinical syndrome and gave serum testosterone level thresholds that support it.
Conflict of interest The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of the paper.
Source of funding Nil.