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Is male menopause real?
Andropause is the name used to refer to the symptoms men get when going through male menopause.
Men usually go through a phase of hormonal changes later in their lives, just like women. This is called andropause or male menopause. Andropause is the name used to refer to the symptoms men get when going through menopause.
The word "menopause" accurately describes what happens to women when they age and can't reproduce again. In men, reproduction never stops completely. When men get older, though, their testosterone levels may go down due to factors like illnesses and lifestyle. Testosterone is the male sex hormone. It is useful in hair growth, generating sperm, and strengthening muscles and bones.
The word "male menopause," then, is not an entirely accurate description of what happens in males. The testosterone drop in men due to aging may be called androgen deficiency, testosterone deficiency syndrome, or late-onset hypogonadism.
Men’s testosterone levels start to drop once they hit age 40. A man’s testosterone levels may also start reducing due to some drugs and lifestyle choices. Andropause is not the same as female menopause. It does not happen to all men. The men that undergo andropause will not be able to reproduce after getting the symptoms. Other names used to describe andropause are hypogonadism, testosterone deficiency syndrome, and androgen deficiency.
Signs of male menopause
Most men will encounter the signs of andropause when they reach their 40s and 50s. Some of the common signs of male menopause include:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Depression
- Decreasing sex drive
- Reduced muscle mass and interest in exercising
- Sleeping problems
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Body fat redistribution (they begin to accumulate belly fat)
- Loss of enthusiasm
- Loss of long-term memory
- Poor concentration
Causes of male menopause
Some factors that lead to male menopause include:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Smoking
- Excessive drinking of alcohol
- Sleep deprivation
- Physical inactivity
- Low self-esteem
The factors that lead to a reduction in testosterone levels include:
- Hormonal disorders
- Chronic medical conditions (like diabetes, obesity, depression, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, and liver disease)
- Injury to the testicles
- Some medications
- Radiation or chemotherapy treatment
- Genetic inheritance
Diagnosing low testosterone in male menopause
Your doctor may conduct a physical examination. Then, they may take some tests to help rule out other conditions. That includes taking blood samples and checking testosterone levels. When your doctor sees that your testosterone level is low, they may refer you to an endocrinologist for further treatment.
How to treat male menopause
You can treat male menopause with medication or lifestyle changes. Some of the medication treatments include patches or topical gels, medicine tablets (placed between the cheek and the gum), and injections.
Lifestyle changes that might help manage male menopause symptoms include:
- Getting adequate sleep
- Eating a well-balanced diet and weight management
- Physical exercise
It is crucial to know, though, that lifestyle changes will not entirely maintain your testosterone levels.
You may also try managing underlying conditions like stress using therapy. One of the best treatment therapies available is talking therapy. A good example is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Treatment may be different depending on the state you are in. If your male menopause symptoms are not dramatically interfering with your lifestyle, your doctor may only recommend simple lifestyle modifications to manage the symptoms.
Complications of testosterone treatment in male menopause
Taking testosterone for a long period might have some serious effects on your body, including:
- Acne
- Sleep apnea (rarely)
- High red blood cell count
- Breasts become huge
What’s the difference between male menopause and female menopause? As mentioned ear earlier, male menopause should not be equated to female menopause. In male menopause, the testosterone level starts going down slowly at around 30 years of age. When it comes to the female sex hormone (estrogen), production goes down rapidly as soon as they are around 40 years old.
When a man goes through menopause, their body continues producing sperm, while the female body stops producing eggs after the woman reaches menopause. Another difference is that not every man will get low testosterone and sperm production after reaching menopause. On the other hand, every woman experiences reduced estrogen and egg production when they reach menopause.