Male Menopause
What is Male Menopause?
Male menopause has always been compared to female menopause. It is also called Andropause-infertility of testosterone in men. Unlike female menopause, Andropause is not so common for all the men. Male menopause is when men experience the inability to produce male hormone due to growing age.
Men experience this change in their health during their 40s and 50s. Usually, growing age is the main factor that causes menopause, but sometimes men go through this phase due to diseases like diabetes or chemical and hormonal changes in body. Menopause symptoms in men are almost the same as experienced by women. Depression, fatigue and cancer can affect the testosterone level in men.
The hormone level in men is in good condition between 20 to 40 years. Gradually, this level starts to decline that cause changes in men's health. These changes also have an effect over men's psychological behavior. Male menopause may bring about slight changes in the testicles.
Symptoms of Male Menopause
Men and women experience the similar symptoms during menopause. However, men experience less severe changes compared to women. The common symptoms experienced by all men during menopause include depression, mood swings, weakness, aches in joints, irritability, hot flashes, lack of concentration, low libido and insomnia.
Total impotence is a major concern in male menopause. The sexual life of a man can be ruined by menopause. The erection can be also affected, and men experience frustration in their relationship with their partner. Menopause can bring about emotional changes in men which largely affect their individual as well as his family life.
Researches have proved that men during their mid-life find difficulty in maintaining a healthy physical relationship and personal fitness. During menopause, more than 50% men face problems regarding intercourse. Although, it is also noteworthy that about 40% men maintain to be sexually active at their 70s.
Treatment For Male Menopause
Most physicians prefer Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) for the treatment of male menopause or andropause. This therapy helps to work on the common menopause symptoms - weakness, mood swings and low libido. Despite its side effects, TRT is most useful therapy for male menopause.
Usually, men hesitate to undergo any treatment for andropause even if they experience its symptoms. TRT has successfully won people's trust, as the number of men who are applying for TRT is increasing gradually.
TRT should be administered under the supervision of an experienced physician. The risk of prostate cancer is a major concern. Hence, the patient must go through a check-up before the therapy is administered. There are various ways of restoring the testosterone level. It can be injected in the body or can be taken orally. The latter technique is usually ignored since it can cause damages to the liver.
In short, andropause occurs in men in their 40s. It has similar symptoms of female menopause. However, recognizing its symptoms in the initial stage and treating it, can help to ease off its effects.
