Business Times, Singapore, June 28, 2002
Dr. Tan: In the early part of the last century, men usually lived till 40, so andropause wasn't a problem.


Grant Fowler M.D., Professor of Family Medicine, Editor Prodedures for Primary Care Physicians, May 2001
I will highly recommend it for my patients to help them answer questions and to get the most from life...


San Antonio Express News
You can't completely prevent male menopause, but you can amelioriate its effects by taking care of yourself before reaching that certain age.


AARP Modern Maturity Magazine, Nov-Dec 2001
Low testosterone can certainly cause fatigue, says Robert Tan MD of University of Texas, and author of The Andropause Mystery


Toronto Star
Andropause is a legitimate physiological condition, notes Dr. Robert Tan,geriatrician at University of Texas and author of The Andropause Mystery.


Men's Health section of www.about.com
It is highly recommended as an aid in understanding the hormonal changes that many men experience as they age.


Sun Star Davao, The Philippines, Aug 24, 2001
More men are experiencing what Bob has experienced. But most doctors never thought about the phenomenon- The Andropause Mystery


Staten Island Advance, New York
Dr. Tan saw patients exhibiting certain symptoms and started doing his own research, eventually writing the book: The Andropause Mystery


Book Review in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
For physicians it is a good jumping off point into the literature and understanding the issues from patient's view point


American Way Magazine, August 2002
Men, if you haven't been feeling quite yourself in the boardroom or in the bedroom...


Book Description
The Midwest Book Review says this about The Andropause Mystery: Board certified specialist in Geratic Medicine, Dr. Robert Tan draws upon his many years of treating older men during their Andropausal years to share his personal research findings (superbly illustrated with case histories) to define the Andropausal biological milestone for the aging male; describe the evolving physical, sexual, psychosocial and mental challenges encountered; explain the role of hormones and supplements relevant to the Andropause phenomenon; and offers unique perspectives on memory loss, erectile dysfunction and sexuality during the Andropause. Written with a completely reader friendly and accessible text, The Andropause Mystery is highly recommended to both medical professionals and the interested non-specialist general reader.


Excerpted from The Andropause Mystery: Unraveling Truths About the Male Menopause by Robert S. Tan. Copyright © 2001. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved
Growing Old The aging process is associated with the loss of muscle mass, bone density, mental aptitude, multi-organ efficiency and general functionality, especially after the age of 40. Fat replaces muscle, and on average, males lose 12 to 15 pounds of muscle. Between the ages of 40 to 70 years, the average male also loses 15% of his bone mass and nearly 2 inches of his height, mainly as a result from osteoporosis. After age 40, even the testicles shrink and by age 70, 15% of men in this country are impotent. These alarming statistics are sad but true facts of the aging process. The Andropause is the time in a man’s life when the hormones naturally decline. Mosby’s Medical Dictionary defines the Andropause as “a change of life for males that may be expressed in terms of a career change, divorce, or reordering of life. It is associated with a decline in androgen levels that occurs in men during their late forties or early fifties”. Many have questioned whether the male menopause is more myth than reality. In truth there is an undeniable hormonal decline as one ages, and this in turn aggravates the aging process. Nevertheless, some men are still able to father children in their eighties, a famous example being Charlie Chaplain, the great comedian. This may prove a point that the Andropause is not universal, occurring in some, but not all, men. The changes come about because of down regulation of hormones including testosterone. I will try to define hormones. Hormones are chemicals that are produced in the body by organs called endocrine glands, and they regulate the function of other organs. Although mainly natural, hormones can be artificially synthesized today. Some examples of hormones include insulin, which regulates blood sugar, thyroxine, which regulates overall metabolism, and estrogens, which regulate female functions including reproduction. Hormones in themselves are regulated by a feedback system. It is a hierarchal system of control with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland being control centers. Regulatory or trophic hormones in turn control the function of individual hormo! nes. Let us next discuss what symptoms men have in association with the Andropause. What Symptoms are associated with the Andropause? Four to 5 million men are hypogonadic in the United States, and 60% are over the age of 65. However, statistics reveal that only 5% are treated for symptoms related to the Andropause. Between the ages of 50 to 70, some men report symptoms such as erectile dysfunction (failure to achieve an erection), general tiredness, mood changes, night sweats and sometimes palpitations. From my own research, which will be described in detail in a later chapter, I found that most men attributed erectile dysfunction to be the most significant event of the Andropause for them. Obviously erectile dysfunction can have many other causes including psychogenic ones, and a fuller discussion will be undertaken in later chapters. Apart from erectile dysfunction, mood changes can take place too. Some patients of mine have complained of nervousness, irritability and even depression. Other patients undergoing andropausal changes report the feelings of wanting to be closer to family and friends. Men often focus too intently on their career, money and power in their earlier life, often neglecting family and friends. In the andropausal years, men and take on a more “maternal” role, as if transitioning to become more motherly than fatherly. They become more concerned about their friends and family, as if regretting their former attitudes. It is interesting that many patients do not sense these changes in themselves, but rather it is the spouse that notices this and tells me that he is undergoing “the menopause”! In andropausal men, night sweats and palpitations occur because of an overactive autonomic system in response to falling testosterone levels. Overactivity of the autonomic system can occur in diabetic patients and it is important not to confuse symptoms of diabetic autonomic neuropathy with that of the Andropause. Some disease states like hyperhidrosis, viral and parasitic infections can cause excessive sweating. Obviously a humid night in the tropics without air conditioning does the same, even for normal individuals! It is important not to dismiss or misdiagnose physiological changes related to the Andropause. At the same time, it is important not to over label the Andropause and miss some important pathology, like malaria for instance!

SYNOPSIS

The Andropause Mystery: unraveling truths about the Male Menopause" is the creation of an opinion leader, who is an academic specialist in Geriatric Medicine. In simple to understand language, the author expounds the reality of this significant milestone in men that is parallel to women's menopause. He shares about his own clinical research and explains why not all men experience the Andropause uniformly. The ten chapters incorporate true-life case histories and discuss unique perspectives of memory loss, erectile dysfunction and sexuality in aging. The author demystifies the Andropause, and suggests preventive and therapeutic options including testosterone, alternative hormones, diet, supplements and other remedies for this life-changing event. An active stance on preventive medicine is taken including exercise and smoking cessation. There is an extensive bibliography. This book is written not only for men, but also for women as they try to comprehend their partner's aging processes.

About the Author
Robert Tan M.D., M.B.A. is a board certified Geriatrician, and a nationally known opinion leader on the Andropause (Male Menopause). He has written and presented several scientific papers and review articles on the Andropause and Testosterone Replacement for Men. His publications have appeared in prestigious peer reviewed medical journals. He is a lifetime member of Strathmore's Who's Who. He was elected a Fellow of the American Geriatrics Society by his peers and achieved the Outstanding Award for his contributions to Aging. He is a visiting Associate Professor to the University of Texas in Houston. He was interviewed by CBS in Spring 2000 because of his pioneering work on the Andropause. He has also served as an expert on the appropriate use of Testosterone and currently serves as a Consultant for the development of aging related pharmaceutical products. He has traveled to several cities across the United States lecturing to physicians on Hypogonadism and Testosterone therapy and has been invited to Malaysia, Germany and Egypt for speaking engagements on the Andropause.

FROM THE CRITICS

Staten Island Advance

Dr Tan, a physician in geriatric medicine at the University of Texas, saw patients exhibiting certain symptoms and started doing his own research, eventually writing the book, The Andropause Mystery: Unraveling truths about the Male Menopause.

Journal of the American Medical Directors Ass.

This book is 186 pages long, is well indexed, and has a selected bibliography for each of its 10 chapters. It is organized as a treatise on andropause and is easily consumed when picked up at any point. The style is simple and lends itself to rapid reading. For physicians it is a good jumping point into the literature and understanding the issues from the patient's point of view. For patients, it is well presented, understandable, and issue focused. For example, patients would appreciate the chapter covering psychological impact of aging on sexuality. It is well organized and covers many of the questions that our older patients and their wives typically pose.

AARP magazine - Modern Maturity

Although it's not the first thing we look for, low testosterone can certainly cause fatigue," says Robert Tan, MD, of the University of Texas Medical School, author of The Andropause Mystery (AMRED Publishing, 2001).

Tampa Tribune

Often they write them off to "aging." Other times, "they don't want to admit they're losing it. They want to feel in control," says Robert Tan. "Lack of energy and loss of libido are very predominant symptoms of transition," says Tan, author of The Andropause Mystery. Many men who do have hormone replacement can have reverse the symptoms of andropause. Bones densities can increase. Muscles can strengthen.

Books and web sites offer more information about andropause, including "The Andropause Mystery" (AMRED Publishing , 2001), www.andropause.com, a non profit Canadian organization

San Antonio Express News

Many men are feeling the effects of their declining hormone production. You can't completely prevent male menopause, but you can ameliorate its effects by taking care of yourself before reaching that certain age.Read all 10 "From The Critics" >

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Dr. Tan has obviously put a lot of work putting this masterpiece together. There is no doubt that this book will help change lives, heal marriages and restore vitality. I highly recommend every woman who has a partner to read this incredible book. — Cindy Johnson