An Overview of Male Menopause – Andropause
Male menopause also known as Andropause is the male equivalent to menopause in women. As men approach the age of forty they may experience some of the same effects that women experience during menopause. This may be due to the fact that there is less testosterone being produced and the possible production of estrogen because of weight gain. It has also been found to be associated with a decrease in Leydig cells present within the body. Unlike its counterpart menopause, male menopause or Andropause is not recognized as an official condition that all men experience. This is normally due to a lack of production of testes.
Effects of Possible Andropause on the aging male.
One of the effects of andropause will be a decline in confidence and a nervous jittery feeling that seems to never go away. This will be combined with a decline in sexual desire as well as performance. This can lead to many social and interpersonal relationship problems. Other symptoms include impaired memory and the inability to concentrate. This will be apparent even while performing tasks that are usually enjoyed by the sufferer. Most men that enjoy playing sports may forget how to play or keep score when being affected by Andropause.
Symptom’s of Andropause
Some symptoms of Andropause are similar to the effects felt by women during menopause. These include swollen breast or pecs, hot flashes that are ongoing, chronic fatigue as well as sweating even when stationary. Many physicians believe that both Andropause as well as osteoporosis are interrelated. This would make sense seeing as one of the functions of testosterone in the male body is bone density and hardness.
Occurrence of Andropause
Unlike menopause that usually occurs around the age of fifty, male menopause usually occurs around the time of a mid life crisis. This is usually around the age of thirty five and upward. During the age of thirty a man testosterone begins to decrease at the rate of 1% per year. By the age of thirty five a man has lost approximately 5% of his overall testosterone. By the age of fifty he will lose around 15%. This is around the age where testerone levels will begin to level off, but continue to decline somewhat slowly. Studies show that over five million men do not produce an adequate level of testosterone.
Treatment for Andropause:
Male menopause can be treated with the help of exercise, diet and rest. These three factors can help a man lose weight and gain muscle mass. When fat is lost, estrogen levels decline with it and the inverse effect happens with testosterone. This means that an older male that is experiencing Andropause can reverse the effects of it by simply losing weight and keeping their muscle definition adequate. A diet that is low in fat and high in protein and slow digesting carbohydrates is also suggested for easing the effects of Andropause, or male menopause. If you do not experience alleviation of symptom’s, please consult with your family physician.
