Understanding And Handling Male Menopause
When a man reaches his midlife stage, specifically when he reaches age forty, he may suddenly experience episodes of confusion and/or extraordinary stress. As a result his self-esteem may slip a bit. Sudden feelings of inadequacy and an unwillingness to try new things may also arise.
If you or anyone you know are exhibiting any of these symptoms, then understand that this is not something out of the ordinary. Even if that offers small comfort, men should accept the fact they too undergo a menopausal stage just like women.
Yes gentlemen, there is indeed a male version of menopause whether you like it or not.The male version of menopause is also referred to as andropause. Some may even liken it to being in some stage of midlife crisis. But the actual cause is basically physiological rather than emotional.
Actually just as female menopause is caused by a decrease in hormonal levels, male menopause is caused by the exact same thing. It is a truth that most men have a hard time accepting but millions of them do face a decrease in testosterone level especially when they reach the age of forty. This is a natural consequence of aging.
Furthermore, the symptoms of andropause in men between the ages of fifty and seventy become more pronounced. The common symptoms of andropause include the following:
- Lethargy or lack of energy;
- Decrease in strength and/or endurance;
- Irritability or rapid mood swings;
- Erectile dysfunction;
- Constant fatigue or exahaustion;
- Decrease in virility;
- Nervousness and occasional palpitation;
- Depression;
Most men who are driven in their careers and who feel strongly about being depended upon by their family are often alarmed when faced with the fact that their testosterone levels are dropping. This naturally leads to bouts of depression and irritability.
Some researchers suggest that a "side effect" of decreased testosterone is that men suddenly become in touch with their feminine side. This becomes obvious when men suddenly become involved in domestic chores they otherwise would not have cared about previously. Career driven men also suddenly become very close to their family members. Now there's nothing wrong that.
If some of the symptoms are extremely strong, then a visit to a professional is advised. They can offer medication or some other form of therapy to offset the effects of andropause.
However the important step to take in dealing with male menopause is to be willing to accept it as a part of life. Acceptance leads to understanding and the more information and knowledge you are able to gather about the condition, the better you will be able to handle it. It may be stressful for some, while others may look at it as a challenge and decide to turn a negative condition into something positive. It's all a matter of one's mindset.
