The end of the female reproductive cycle is marked by female menopause. Men, on the other hand, experience a variety of symptoms and changes as they age, which some people compare to the effects of menopause. Some sources refer to the condition as “andropause.” However, this label is deceptive, and the definition of the symptoms, causes, and treatments remains ambiguous.
Male menopause, or andropause, was a hot topic from the late 1930s to the mid-1950s, according to an article in the journal Social History of Medicine, but modern researchers advise that without clear boundaries, andropause is not a useful diagnosis.
However, aging affects the male body, including testosterone levels that are constantly decreasing.
In this article, we look at how aging affects men’s hormones and what steps can be taken to reduce the impact of aging on men’s health. Although there is some evidence that aging affects the production of s£x hormones in men, drawing parallels to menopause in women is inaccurate.
Some studies have linked the symptoms to a condition known as androgen decline in the aging male (ADAM), also known as late-onset hypogonadism. This occurs naturally when the gonads, or organs that produce s£x cells, begin to age and lose function.
Menopause is a normal part of a woman’s lifecycle, but only 2.1% of men experience it. Even though the incidence of this behavior increases with age, it is still not a typical phase of a man’s maturation. When a man has three s£xual symptoms and an androgen level of 11 nanomoles per liter or less, a doctor may suspect late-onset hypogonadism (nmol).
Symptoms
Menopause in women is marked by a sharp drop in estrogen and progesterone, the main female reproductive hormones, which decline significantly in a relatively short period. Symptoms of male menopause emerge more slowly, subtly, and less severely than in menopause.
The drop in male hormone levels, or testosterone, is less severe than the drop in female hormone levels during menopause. Some of the various signs and symptoms associated with male menopause include:
• flashes of heat
• irritability and moodiness
• fat accumulation around the abdomen and chest
• muscle mass loss
• dry, flaky skin
• excessive perspiration
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), the most common symptoms of male menopause are decreased libido, a decrease in the frequency of morning erections, and erectile dysfunction.
Other symptoms listed in the study include fatigue, inability to walk more than 1 kilometer (0.62 miles), and difficulties completing strenuous physical tasks such as running or lifting heavy objects.
Kneeling, bending, and stooping may become more difficult as well. As a result of the change in male hormone levels, depression and fatigue may develop.
Causes
Testosterone levels in men begin to decline after they reach the age of 30 and typically decline by one percent annually after that point.
Male menopause symptoms are not thought to be caused by the natural, age-related decline of testosterone levels, however. If this were the case, then every man would show these symptoms.
There is a wide variety of symptoms that can arise from this condition due to its complexity. These symptoms are common in older men as testosterone levels decrease, but they are more common in older men who are overweight, have high blood pressure, or have diabetes type 2.
As a result, it appears that fluctuating levels of male hormones are not the only cause of this condition.
A person’s preexisting health conditions, such as:
• A lack of physical activity is a major contributor.
• the effects of tobacco use
• Addiction to Alcohol
• The Effects of Stress On the Body
• worry
• sleep deprivation
The inability to get or maintain an erection can be caused by several factors, including alterations in blood vessel structure or a nerve issue.
The psychological effects of a “mid-life crisis” can be felt by some men, causing them to worry about reaching important personal and professional milestones. This can be a cause of depression, which can trigger a range of factors leading to the physical symptoms of ADAM.
A lack of sleep, poor diet and lack of exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption, and low self-esteem may also contribute.
Hypogonadism occurs when the testes do not produce enough of the hormones needed to maintain normal male reproductive function. This can cause a delay in puberty in young males. ADAM symptoms may appear later in life if the disease is triggered by being overweight or having type 2 diabetes.
Diagnosis
According to one study, medicalizing male menopause wasn’t driven by scientific evidence but rather “a model perpetuated by lay people and medical popularizers.”
In most cases, a doctor won’t notice the symptoms of male menopause and make a diagnosis. It stands for a group of symptoms on which there is debate.
Many different diseases and ways of living can bring on these signs and symptoms.
Treatment
Due to the lack of a definitive diagnosis, men who exhibit these symptoms will be treated individually. A person who is overweight will be given help in controlling their weight and starting an exercise program. A change to a healthy, balanced diet may also be necessary.
To properly care for people who suffer from both diabetes and cardiovascular disease, specialists must address both conditions. Symptoms may be lessened by maintaining healthy blood glucose levels.
After discovering symptoms like erectile dysfunction and fatigue, doctors will conduct a thorough examination, including blood tests and scans, to identify any cardiovascular disease. Someone showing symptoms of depression or anxiety may be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist for treatment.
The effectiveness of testosterone therapy, which a doctor may prescribe, is debatable. The risk of prostate cancer and urinary tract obstruction may both rise with testosterone therapy. Ischemic heart disease, epilepsy, and sleep apnea may all be made worse by this.
Many testosterone and vitamin supplements claiming to aid male menopause do not contain the advised components and may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer and cardiovascular issues, according to a 2015 FDA ruling (Trusted Source).
Talk to your doctor about treatment options for age-related illness and decline.
Takeaway
The term “male menopause” has not been established as a medical diagnosis due to a lack of data.
In contrast, andropause-like symptoms (ADAM) may occur due to low levels of testosterone, a male sex hormone. Low-testosterone conditions can be convoluted and manifest in different ways in different people.
Male menopause is not something that can be diagnosed by a doctor.
In contrast, men can improve their sense of well-being and delay the onset of some of the physical symptoms of aging by adopting a lifestyle that emphasizes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and moderate tobacco and alcohol use.
In addition, underlying conditions can be treated to lessen the severity.
