When you hear
the word menopause, your thoughts most likely go to women. Men can also be
affected by their own type of male menopause (andropause). Male menopause
doesn’t cause the same symptoms as it does in women. Men don’t suffer hot
flashes, hormones plummeting in a brief period of time, or it doesn’t signal
the end of ovulation.
This term characterizes
the age-related hormone changes that happen in men as they age. It causes
testosterone deficiency.
Andropause
happens so subtly that some men may not even know the transition is taking
place l. For other men with poor diets and activity levels, it may hit
harder with a variety of male-specific symptoms, which include a reduction in sexual
desire, energy level, and irrational mood swings. Here is information to help
ease the transition to andropause:
1.
Andropause Can Affect Men As
Early As 40 Years of Age: Testosterone can begin to decline as early as the age of
forty through seventy. Older men tend to have lower testosterone levels
compared to younger men.
2. Testosterone Naturally Declines As
Men Age: As the male body ages, testosterone levels decline as
early as age thirty. The hormone will decrease by approximately one percent per
year with many men noticing the affects between the ages of forty and fifty years
old. By the time most men reach the age of seventy, their testosterone levels
have lessened by fifty percent.
4. While most men’s
testosterone levels decline so gradually that they don’t notice any symptoms;
for other men the decline in the hormone might cause noticeable symptoms that
affect sexual function.
5. Male Menopause Can Affect Sleep: Another common sign of andropause is insomnia, trouble falling asleep,
disturbed sleep, or interrupted sleep patterns (i.e., you may suddenly require
more sleep or rise earlier). Some men also complain of low energy and fatigue
throughout the day.
“Ah, the
hot flashes, the mood swings, the back pain; going through menopause can be a
real trial (especially for guys).” (Lou Ann Ruark)
6. Unexplained Depression: One way that andropause is similar to menopause is reflected in the
unexplained emotional changes that it can create. It may also cause memory loss.
Men may also feel a loss in self-confidence, which can be written off
inaccurately as a mid-life crisis.
7. Weight Gain: Another way that menopause is similar to andropause is that both can cause
sudden weight gain (particularly
around the midsection of men). This is because a loss of testosterone can
cause deterioration of muscle tissue and bone loss in men.
“Male
menopause is rarely discussed in the medical community. While female
menopause is an accepted
medical condition with an array of treatments and therapies, male menopause is
often dismissed as a figment of the patient’s imagination.” www.totalhealthinstitute.com
8. The Lesser Discussed Symptoms of
Andropause: Men are often hesitant to
bring up andropause symptoms with a health professional if they experience
shrinking testes, swollen breasts (gynecomastia), and a loss of body hair.
9. The Causes of Male Menopause: The decrease in testosterone levels that causes andropause is usually gradual,
and the result of natural aging. Those men who experience more severe symptoms
may realize them due to age-unassociated health issues.
10. Diagnosing Andropause: If you bring your symptoms to the attention of your doctor: they may
recommend a blood test to diagnose that you are experiencing testosterone
decline. A blood test is the only method available to men to confirm low
testosterone decline.
“Male menopause is a lot more fun than female menopause.
With female menopause you gain weight and get hot flashes. [With] male menopause, you get to date young girls and drive motorcycles.”
(Rita Rudner)
11. The Option of Testosterone
Replacement Therapy:
Although testosterone replacement therapy
is on the rise for men affected by declining hormone levels are low, it is
linked to health risks, including a heightened risk of prostate cancer.
Typically, a doctor will recommend natural lifestyle changes including diet,
exercise, and antidepressant medications to aid with depression, reduced sexual
drive, and low energy levels.
12. Healthy, Natural Ways to Soothe
Andropausal Symptoms:
There are a variety of natural herbal
supplements (and lifestyle changes) men can take (and do) to help alleviate the
chronic symptoms of andropause. These can be taken separately, or in
combination depending on the severity of the patient’s symptoms.
·
Black Cohosh can
help to alleviate night sweats common to men in the throes of andropause.
·
Red Clover
can be taken to improve the circulation of the arteries.
·
Wild Yam
and Dong
Quai can be taken to increase the
production of testosterone.
· Gingko Biloba and Yohimbine may be taken for men
experiencing moderate levels of sexual dysfunction.
· Diet
and exercise can play a huge role in reducing the
symptoms of andropause. Exercise is a powerful tool in slowing the loss of
muscle mass in men in their thirties and forties. Exercise can have a positive
effect in slowing the decrease of testosterone production. Regular exercise
releases endorphins that promote a sense of well-being, and reduces depression
and mood swings common to male menopause.
High
intensity training increases metabolism, which boosts the body’s production of
human growth hormone that diminishes andropause symptoms.
A
nutritious diet is at the source of total health at any age. As men begin to
enter middle age it is important to transition to a natural, vegetarian based,
diet. High animal fat foods should be avoided as men begin to integrate more
organic fruits and vegetables into their daily diet.
Red
meat should be eliminated possible as it leads to high cholesterol and high
blood pressure which worsens andropausal symptoms. Seeds, nuts, and avocados
are high in Omega-3 and other essential fatty acids and should be added to the
diet in place of animal-based proteins.[i]
“Male menopause and anxiety [are] as ugly, tough, and weird to go through as female menopause. When a
man turns forty, testosterone goes down, cortisol goes up. Emotions go berserk.
Depression and anxiety are common. Behavior can get downright weird or
upsetting. Its puberty hormonally reversed. “(Terezia Farkas)
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