Everyone’s heard of menopause, when a woman’s reproductive function begins to slow down and stops altogether – but are men going through something similar? The term “male menopause” refers to the physical and emotional changes some men experience as they age.
1. What is menopause in men?
Andropause is a term used to describe a group of symptoms associated with an age-related decline in testosterone in men. Menopause is fundamentally different from menopause in women. Unlike the hormonal drop that occurs in women during menopause, sex hormones tend to decrease more gradually in men. After the age of 30, male sex hormone levels decrease year by year.
However, not all men experience a decline in testosterone while all women go through menopause – and men are still fertile with advanced age, while women cannot get pregnant. naturally after menopause. Some men maintain normal testosterone levels throughout their lives, experience no symptoms, and are able to father children in their 80s.
Testosterone levels in men decrease with age.
Male menopause is the gradual decline of testosterone, a sex hormone, especially associated with aging. Male menopause occurs over many years and is not recognized as a medical condition. The term is often used in conjunction with testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS), which occurs when the testicles produce little or no hormone. TDS is characterized by abnormally low testosterone levels (less than 300 ng/dL) and due to a variety of causes, independent of age.
According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology, about 40% of men over the age of 45 have low testosterone levels and are not an inevitable result of the aging process. TDS can affect men of any age, but when it occurs later in life, it is called late-stage hypogonadism or androgen depletion in older men (ADAM).
2. Causes of male menopause
Symptoms associated with male hypogonadism are thought to be due to the decline in testosterone levels with age. Stress, smoking, poor sleep, overweight, obesity, the effects of certain medications, lack of exercise and alcohol consumption are all factors that affect testosterone levels in the body. Low testosterone has also been linked to conditions like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and obesity, although it’s not clear if that’s a cause or effect.
However, some experts suggest that age-related decline in testosterone is not the main cause of male hypogonadism symptoms. They believe that lifestyle and psychological factors play a much more important role. For example, feeling stressed because of problems at work can affect a man’s sex drive and energy levels.
There are many causes of menopause, which need to be examined and diagnosed specifically.
3. Symptoms of male menopause
Andropause is associated with physical, sexual, and psychological symptoms that tend to come on gradually and worsen as you age. If you are a man over 40 and you regularly experience the following symptoms, you should get checked out.
Common symptoms of male menopause include:
– Low energy
– Decreased sex drive
– Erectile dysfunction
– Increase body fat
– Reduced muscle mass
– Asthenia
– Insomnia or trouble sleeping
– Memory problems
– Difficulty concentrating
– Loss of confidence
– Loss of body hair
– Depression or poor mood
– Lack of motivation
– Difficulty sleeping
– Decreased bone density
Some men notice symptoms of low testosterone from their 30s, others in their 60s, and in some cases no change at all.
4. Diagnosis of male menopause and treatment direction
When you go to the doctor, your doctor will conduct a detailed examination based on each of your specific symptoms. They will also make sure to rule out other medical problems with relevant ultrasounds or tests as required.
Your doctor may ask more about your personal life to determine if there are other factors, such as stress or anxiety. They may also order a blood sample to determine your testosterone levels. After having an accurate conclusion and investigating the clear cause, doctors will have the right treatment for each specific condition.
Some symptoms of menopause can be treated with hormone replacement therapy if your testosterone levels are low. Testosterone replacement should always be guided and closely monitored by a suitably qualified clinician.
If your symptoms are thought to be caused by a combination of physical, lifestyle, and psychological factors, your doctor may take a more holistic approach. Symptoms of low testosterone due to advanced age can be treated individually, with medication for erectile dysfunction, for example, or counseling for psychological problems.
5. 4 natural ways to increase testosterone effectively
Hormone therapy isn’t the only way to boost your testosterone stores. Here are 4 natural ways to increase your testosterone levels:
Provides complete nutrition
Optimize your diet with a balance of carbs, healthy fats, and protein. Nutrient deficiencies are increasingly common and can cause significant problems with maintaining positive testosterone levels. B vitamins and zinc are especially needed to improve sperm quality. Also, increasing your magnesium intake can increase testosterone levels within 1 month.
Abstain from alcohol
Alcohol directly inhibits the production of testosterone in your testicles. Drinking alcohol can also affect sleep, lowering testosterone levels.
Weight management
Men should pay attention to maintaining a reasonable weight and pay attention to the amount of fat in the body, especially when entering middle age. Obesity has a direct and negative impact on testosterone levels. Fat cells convert testosterone into estrogen, which lowers the level of testosterone in the body. Additionally, obesity reduces levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that transports testosterone in the blood. Less SHBG means less testosterone.
Exercise regularly
A 2004 study found that regular physical activity in older men increased testosterone and growth hormone (GH) levels as well as having a positive effect on brain function. Men should increase exercise to have a good physical foundation, repel signs of metabolic disorders and symptoms caused by menopause.
The simplest way to manage the symptoms of menopause is to make healthier lifestyle choices. Eating a balanced diet, making time for regular exercise, getting enough sleep, reducing stress levels, and limiting alcohol and tobacco use are all beneficial.
(According to the British Physicians Network)
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