Is there really something called the male menopause or is it just your typical male mid-life crisis? Read on to find what is fact and what is fiction.
Confusing term
Healthcare professionals seldom use the term “male menopause” and prefer the terms andropause, testosterone deficiency, late-onset hypogonadism or androgen deficiency in the ageing male (ADAM).
It is, however, true that because ageing men’s bodies gradually (about 1% to 2% each year) produce less and less testosterone (male sex hormone) some experience symptoms similar to those experienced by women during the menopause.
So-called male menopause
The so-called male menopause is a complex issue not only associated with low testosterone levels in older men but with several other co-existing factors. An interesting phenomenon is that this condition seems to be more prevalent in men suffering from underlying diseases such as heart disease and high blood pressure, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Heavy drinkers, men who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day and those with underactive thyroid glands may also have low levels of testosterone and other typical menopause symptoms.
The male mid-life crisis experienced by older men may trigger depression and this may trigger some of the symptoms associated with the male menopause, but the two are not synonymous.
All in all, one can safely say that male menopause, even when referred to by another name, does exist − and that’s a fact.
Signs and symptoms
Although researchers and health professionals differ on the actual signs and symptoms of the male menopause, they agree that the following are common symptoms of testosterone deficiency:
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- Decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction such as impotence and problems in getting or maintaining an erection, especially in the morning
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- Small testicles, reduced sperm count and infertility
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- Moodiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, poor concentration and low self-esteem
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- Reduced body and facial hair and loss of body hair
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- Weight gain (increased breast size) and loss of muscle mass and strength
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- Hot flushes and excessive sweating
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- Brittle bones and an increased risk of fractures.
One myth that can be dispelled here is that high testosterone levels cause bad behaviour in men such as violence and aggression, road rage and your typical “macho man” antics. Medical professionals point out that having too much naturally occurring testosterone is not a common problem among men and most badly behaved men have normal amounts.
Treatment
In the past medical professionals often refrained from mentioning the word “male menopause” and only treated the underlying conditions such as heart and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression and anxiety or obesity. When the condition was associated with low testosterone levels, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may have been suggested. Although there are pros and cons associated with TRT and it has to be closely monitored, it is effective.
Fortunately, health professionals are becoming more and more attuned to recognising the symptoms of the male menopause and treating it in a holistic way instead of just treating underlying conditions or symptoms.
Sources
Male menopause. Retrieved from: http://www.baus.org.uk/patients/symptoms/andropause
Nordqvist, C. 2013. What is the male menopause? Retrieved from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266749.php
Shmerling, RH. 2013. Testosterone — what It does and doesn’t do. Retrieved from: http://www.intelihealth.com/article/testosterone-what-it-does-and-doesnt-do