Affecting men at any age, erectile dysfunction is not, contrary to popular belief, a problem associated with aging. Instead, ED is usually attributed to underlying health issues common to older men, such as hormone imbalances (low testosterone), circulatory conditions (blood vessel/heart disease) and nervous system disorders. Type 2 diabetes and kidney disease are also leading causes of erectile dysfunction in men over 40 years old. In addition, blood pressure, prostate cancer, and ulcer medications are known to interfere with the ability of men to achieve and sustain erections. ¹

Women start menopause at approximately 51 years old when the ovaries stop producing progesterone and estrogen. There are other factors that can induce menopause and some women can start earlier. However, regardless of the cause or timing, the same symptoms can occur. The symptoms can be very uncomfortable and negatively impact a woman's quality of life. Once the symptoms start, women can use hormone replacement therapy to balance their hormones and alleviate the symptoms.

Menopause is diagnosed after a woman does not have her menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. This natural biological process is marked by lower amounts of progesterone and estrogen being produced by the ovaries. There are also other reasons a woman may enter this phase that are not a part of the aging process, including removal of the ovaries, primary ovarian insufficiency, radiation and chemotherapy. While menopause is a normal part of life, it can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms, but women can seek treatment to alleviate them.

Menopause ends a woman's fertility and her menstrual cycle. The ovaries are no longer producing progesterone, testosterone and estrogen to encourage these two functions. The most common cause of menopause is getting older, but things like surgery, certain medical conditions and certain medical treatments can also induce it. Knowing when you are in menopause allows you to use the right treatments to alleviate your symptoms so that you have a higher quality of life.

Testosterone is a vital androgen (male) hormone that is responsible for several crucial functions.

What are the possible physical and psychological implications of experiencing reduced testosterone levels?

The production of testosterone increases during puberty and tends to decline during the mid-thirties. After the age of thirty, testosterone levels begin to decrease at roughly 1% every year. According to a study conducted by the ADA (American Diabetes Association), approximately 13 million American males have reduced testosterone levels.