Looking Out For Male Menopause Symptoms
Menopause is often identified as a female condition. It might even come as a surprise to many that menopause is experienced by men too. In fact there is even a name for it--andropause.
Male menopause occurs usually late in the midlife stage, between fifty and sixty years of age. The signs and symptoms are very similar to what women go through. It is quite important therefore that in order to cope with it, one must be informed of such symptoms.When women go through their menopausal stage, their hormonal production is greatly reduced or even comes to a complete stop. In men, there is also a vast dropoff in hormonal production, specificially with testosterone.
Testosterone is responsible for a man's reproductive system as well as other masculine features like facical hair and voice depth. It is commonly referred to as a man's "sex hormone". Scientifically, they are also called androgens.
Being the sex hormone, once its production is decreased, a man will very likely experience any or all of the following:
- erectile dysfunction;
- loss of interest in sex;
- shrinking of the testicles;
- loss of armpit hair;
- easily fatigued;
- decreased muscle mass and strength;
- low sperm count;
- depression and anxiety.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is adviseable to see a professional as soon as possible. The physician will be able to determine if there is indeed a dropoff in testosterone production and will then prescribe some form of remedy if necessary.
One of the most common treatments is testosterone replacement therapy. Many have reported an improvement in their conditions after having undergone testosterone replacement therapy. Be warned though that this is certainly not a cure for male menopause, it only helps you to cope with the symptoms and helps in improving ones condition. Therefore it is really recommended that a visit to a physician be made first.
There are also more natural and healthier ways of coping with male menopause although it may take longer to see improvements. These mainly involve:
- learning to relax and resting well;
- eating healthy foods rich in antioxidants; antioxidants are proven to slow or even reverse the aging process;
- exercising or walking regularly;
- reducing or totally abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes.
Whether you decide on testosterone replacement therapy or the natural approach or even a combination of both, you should be able to see an improvement in your sex drive, an increase in strength and lesser bouts of depression and anxiety. Keep in mind though that the symptoms identified in these articles are some of the most common that occur during male menopause and should not be taken as a basis for self-diagnosis. Visit a professional so that you can get an informed opinion and you can eventually decide for yourself what path to take in order to overcome your condition.
