Male Menopause

Just like women face menopause, men suffer from a type of menopause called Andropause. This is the period in the life of a man where the levels of male hormone, testosterone in the body start declining. This usually occurs during the late forties and early fifties of the man.



Symptom of male menopause

It is usually the male who suffers from certain medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity that experience reduced testosterone. Generally, decrease in testosterone levels is quite normal in a man. With a drop in the testosterone level, men experience symptoms similar to what a woman goes through in their menopause. When in male menopause, the man experiences reduced libido and erectile dysfunction. This leads to reduced sex which may in turn make the male edgy and tense. Men also go through depression and fatigue when in male menopause. You may find the man to become rather moody during this period; just like women during menopause.

Another symptom of male menopause is muscle weakness. Aging as itself produces reduced muscle strength. With male menopause, the male becomes much weaker. It is surprising to learn that male menopause has also been linked with osteoporosis in men. Some men experience night sweats and palpitations. This is due to overactive autonomic system that responds to the reducing testosterone levels.
Menopause can affect your brain
Men in male menopause also find that their minds become less sharp and nimble in this period. They become less swift in mental calculations and judgment is not as reliable as before. In fact, men who were known for making razor-sharp business deals may end up making mistakes and thus suffer financial loss. Usually, men assume that this symptom is a part of aging; however, it is actually due to reduced testosterone. Sometimes, memory also gets impaired wherein dementia may also set in.

When diagnosing hypogonadism, a part of the clinical steps of Andropause, the doctor looks for physical signs of Andropause. This includes hair loss, more so in the armpit and genitalia. Sometimes, psychological tests are conducted to eliminate depression and other mood changes.

Male menopause can be treated through hormone replacement therapy. This has to be resorted to as a last resort as men can usually handle this reduction of testosterone in their bodies as they grow old. Hormone replacement therapy gives an increased risk of prostate cancer; this is why this treatment should be carefully considered.

If hormone replacement therapy is a must, treatment can be administered through injections, implants, oral medications or patches. If depression is prevalent through male menopause, it can be treated with anti-depressants. And of course, to fight obesity, a healthy diet and regular exercise are the best means of handling the matter.