Fat, Aromatase, and the Hypogonadal Cycle

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In this episode Dr. Bikman explores the concept of “male menopause,” more accurately termed andropause. While women experience a dramatic hormonal drop-off due to the depletion of ovarian follicles, men experience a gradual decline in testosterone, primarily because their testosterone-producing Leydig cells become less efficient with age. This slow reduction begins in the 30s or 40s, and free testosterone (the biologically active form) declines even faster than total testosterone due to increasing levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

The lecture delves into the cellular mechanisms behind this decline, focusing on mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance. Because testosterone synthesis starts with cholesterol being transported into the mitochondria, anything that impairs this transport—like declining STAR and TSPO proteins or mitochondrial fragmentation—can reduce testosterone production. Dr. Bikman emphasizes that insulin resistance plays a central role by impairing Leydig cell responsiveness and increasing ceramide production, which worsens mitochondrial fission and dysfunction.

Body fat also plays a major role in hormonal health, as it increases aromatase activity, converting testosterone into estradiol. This creates a damaging feedback loop—more fat leads to more estrogen, which suppresses testosterone production, which then leads to more fat gain.

Dr. Bikman outlines a set of interventions to break this cycle and support testosterone naturally, including:

- Weight loss, especially reducing visceral fat

- Resistance training, with caution to avoid overtraining

- Cold exposure, done strategically (before, not after exercise)

- Sleep hygiene and stress reduction

- Limiting alcohol intake

- And in some cases, Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), with caveats about fertility

Show Notes/References:

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