Male Menopause or Andropause is commonly referred to the phase of gradual decrease in testosterone levels or decrease in the bioavailability of testosterone hormone in human male body as a result of aging process.
Understanding Male Menopause
Although many can relate it with the phase of menopause in women, it is important to note that in female menopause, the hormone levels are significantly and dramatically reduced during a comparatively short span while male menopause is characterized by slow yet steady diminishing of hormones.
Although the levels of testosterone vary greatly in men, studies have found that once you cross the age of 30, your body will be witnessing 1% of annual decline in your testosterone levels thereafter and the process continues throughout your adulthood.
Recognizing Male Menopause Symptoms
While men suffering from male menopause experience much similar symptoms like female menopause, usually the symptoms are more subtle and very hard to notice during initial stages. During the process of aging, hormonal change is a very natural phenomenon.
To make a precise diagnosis, your physician will carry out physical examination and close scrutiny of your symptoms. You may also need to go under numerous blood tests to eliminate the possibility of other ailments related to the symptoms.
Symptoms of Male Menopause
Physical changes – You may experience varying levels of physical changes like loss of strength, reduced muscle mass, gain in body fat, loss of body hair, tender breasts and diminished bone density.
Emotional Changes – Like menopause in women, you may experience felling of being overwhelmed, depression, unable to motivate yourself, loss of self-confidence etc.
Sleep pattern change – With a lowered level of testosterone hormone, you may experience considerable alteration in your normal sleep pattern. It may lead to increased sleepiness or insomnia.
Sexual functionality changes – Along with loss of libido, you may experience symptoms like infertility, reduction in size of testes, erectile dysfunction.
Male Menopause Treatment
If you are suffering from low levels of testosterone, there are diverse treatments available nowadays. Testosterone or androgen replacement therapy (HRT) can be proved effective, however, in certain cases there is an increased possibility of ailments like prostate cancer, cardiovascular ailments. Use of antidepressants is effective in handling andropause symptoms. Natural medication along with changes in lifestyle and dietary habits also proved beneficial.
