Do men experience menopause?
I want to start this article by stating that the issue of male menopause has been a very controversial topic and not all medical professionals agree that it occurs. In fact, in the UK, the term “andropause” or “male menopause” is considered misleading by the National Health Service (NHS).
When it comes to hormonal aging, especially for men, there are a lot of myths and falsehoods out there. As men age, their hormones change, just like women’s do. The drop in male hormones, however, is gradual and not abrupt and its consequences have not been as fully researched or understood as those of women, whose hormone production changes rapidly in a relatively short period of time with menopause.
But decrease in testosterone levels experienced by some men do not signify menopause. A progressive drop in these hormonal levels is merely a natural aspect of a man’s life-cycle of ageing.
So we affirm that male menopause is a myth and misrepresentation.
Female menopause
Menopause is a sexual reproductive health issue traditionally associated to women. It is referred to as the phase of a woman’s life when her menstrual cycles stop and her ovaries stop producing eggs (ovulating), which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause is a natural stage of a woman’s life and is not always something that needs to be treated. A woman can no longer become pregnant after menopause. It may occasionally occur sooner on its own.
On the other hand what some misconstrue as “male menopause” clinically known as late-onset hypogonadism has been a controversial subject since the late 1930s. Most critics posits that the name, misrepresents the experience of women. In addition, not everyone agrees that the condition is present in males.
While menopause in women is a normal part of ageing, not all men go through it. In men the decline of testosterone occurs gradually, male reproductive system isn’t completely shut down but at menopause women reproductive system completely shut down. Men in good health may be able to continue producing semen long into old life.
Furthermore, men do not go through a well-defined change, making it difficult to recognize any evident signs like the menopausal symptoms experienced by women, but men do experience some symptoms similar to those experienced by women, but the change can be mild and not instantly discernible.
Leaving the debate aside, it’s crucial to note that late-onset hypogonadism can have a serious negative impact on men’s health.
Also Read: Psychological issues and erectile dysfunction
Reduction in sex hormone is not the same as menopause
Men unlike women do not experience a clearly defined phase known as menopause, however as men age, they can experience a reduction in sex hormone.Reduction in sex hormone is not the same as menopause. The reduction in testosterone levels that occurs in males as they age is gradual, occurring at a rate of roughly 1% per year between the ages of 30 and 40. As such, the drop is insufficient to create any issues on its own.
Male testosterone levels reach their peak around adolescence and the early years of adulthood. Although it is common for men as the age to see a decrease in testosterone production, it is frequently linked to hypogonadism and can also happen when someone has a disease like diabetes.
Signs of Low testosterone
How can I tell if my testosterone levels are low? Low testosterone levels associated with male “menopause” have been linked the following symptoms :
- Decreased libido
- Erection problems
- Decreased libido
- Low energy
- Low morale
- Excess abdominal fat
- Breast enlargement
- Fatigue, or sleeplessness
- Melancholy
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
- Difficulty remembering things
- Concentration problem
- Reduced body hair
- hot flashes
- Low morale
- Fatigue, or sleeplessness
- Infertility due to decreased libido
Also Read:Surprising Facts About Erectile Dysfunction Men Need to Know
How can i handle the issue of low testosterone levels?
Visit your doctor if you think you might be experiencing low testosterone symptoms.
The greatest obstacle to dealing with low testosterone like other issues bothering on men’s health is men’s aversion to health seeking. Men are trained to adopt gender-specific behaviours that follow societal expectations of what it means to be a man. According to these notion of masculinity, it is wrong for men to “whine or complain.” This false notion has a significant negative impact on men’s gender identities, relationships, and health care practices. Unfortunately, a lot of men who experience health issues endure their suffering in silence and fail to seek the right medical attention or guidance.
When you visit your health care provider they will be able to assist you in determining and addressing the basis of your concerns.
Men, pay attention to your body and visit your physicians whenever you sense trouble.