There have been jokes about it for years - that the "men" in menopause means that it really does apply to men. People are usually kidding when they talk about a man going through the "change of life," but it is not a joke. It is not an urban legend or myth. Those male menopause symptoms that you think you are seeing in your husband, or your father, or your brother - that really is what they are. That is right, guys go through it too, but do not go expecting them to say so. Unfortunately, there is a female stigma attached to the whole idea of menopause. It is however becoming more widely recognized, that men do indeed go through a change of their own. One of the things that may make it easier to talk about if you are a man and you are going through this, is simply to understand it.
First of all, it may make you more comfortable to know that the term andropause is frequently a substitute for "male menopause." Really, when you think about it, it is natural that both genders go through this. After all, man or woman, we all get older, our bodies get older, and certain changes are bound to happen. In this case, during andropause, your body starts producing less testosterone - maybe. You see, unlike it is for women, not all guys will experience a male menopause. Why? No one is really sure. All that is really known is that the lower levels of testosterone bring it on in some men. That is not really a surprise. Testosterone is your primary hormone. Without it, you would not be able to produce sperm, you would not have any urge to procreate - a very ingrained trait - and you would not be nearly as strong as you are. So the reduction of this hormone affects you in much the same way women are affected when their bodies begin producing less estrogen. Andropause can begin when you are in your twenties, making your testosterone gradually lessen.
Fundamentally, we do not really understand why or how male menopause occurs. However, certain things can happen in your life which will trigger it to start. These are mostly health related problems, some of them physical and some of them mental. Certain illness and depression can trigger andropause. Dementia can also act as a catalysts. Health problems that somehow affect testosterone on their own can play a part in male menopause as well. Cardiovascular disease, autoimmune deficiencies, and cancer are some of the most notable of these.
There are a lot of similarities and differences between what women go through and what men do when they experience menopause. The similarities exist because, in both cases, the act is related to hormones, and so produces primarily hormonal responses. The differences lie in the fact that women and men are, of course, quite different. The main difference is that women cannot have children any longer after menopause. On the other hand, a man will always retain some level of fertility. That is how men in their eights have gone on to father children.
Still and all, the symptoms of male menopause are very similar to female symptoms. The difference is that men experience them on a lesser level. Commonly, men going through andropause are just as prone to hot flashes and night sweats. Insomnia coupled with fatigue are extremely common, even expected, as are sore muscles and joints, lack of motivation, and mood swings.
For different reasons, men going through menopause are also affected sexually. Although they may indeed notice a lack of interest, the primary problem is more likely to be physical. That is, menopause men can have erectile problems.
First of all, it may make you more comfortable to know that the term andropause is frequently a substitute for "male menopause." Really, when you think about it, it is natural that both genders go through this. After all, man or woman, we all get older, our bodies get older, and certain changes are bound to happen. In this case, during andropause, your body starts producing less testosterone - maybe. You see, unlike it is for women, not all guys will experience a male menopause. Why? No one is really sure. All that is really known is that the lower levels of testosterone bring it on in some men. That is not really a surprise. Testosterone is your primary hormone. Without it, you would not be able to produce sperm, you would not have any urge to procreate - a very ingrained trait - and you would not be nearly as strong as you are. So the reduction of this hormone affects you in much the same way women are affected when their bodies begin producing less estrogen. Andropause can begin when you are in your twenties, making your testosterone gradually lessen.
Fundamentally, we do not really understand why or how male menopause occurs. However, certain things can happen in your life which will trigger it to start. These are mostly health related problems, some of them physical and some of them mental. Certain illness and depression can trigger andropause. Dementia can also act as a catalysts. Health problems that somehow affect testosterone on their own can play a part in male menopause as well. Cardiovascular disease, autoimmune deficiencies, and cancer are some of the most notable of these.
There are a lot of similarities and differences between what women go through and what men do when they experience menopause. The similarities exist because, in both cases, the act is related to hormones, and so produces primarily hormonal responses. The differences lie in the fact that women and men are, of course, quite different. The main difference is that women cannot have children any longer after menopause. On the other hand, a man will always retain some level of fertility. That is how men in their eights have gone on to father children.
Still and all, the symptoms of male menopause are very similar to female symptoms. The difference is that men experience them on a lesser level. Commonly, men going through andropause are just as prone to hot flashes and night sweats. Insomnia coupled with fatigue are extremely common, even expected, as are sore muscles and joints, lack of motivation, and mood swings.
For different reasons, men going through menopause are also affected sexually. Although they may indeed notice a lack of interest, the primary problem is more likely to be physical. That is, menopause men can have erectile problems.
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