Male Menopause – Men Suffer Too!
Although the medical community appears to be sharply divided on
whether or not men actually suffer from menopause, the men who
experience it have no doubts at all! In a woman, menopause is clearly
defined and is marked by a definitive stop of hormone production. It is
not quite so clear-cut in men.
Male menopause is defined in some medical circles as a depletion of or
major reduction of the male equivalent of hormones – which is
testosterone. While men naturally have a decrease of testosterone as
they age, how sharply or at what age range this occurs is not
necessarily definable. This is what causes a major part of the
medical/scientific debate on the subject.
When a man goes through menopause, he may suffer some of the same
symptoms as a woman. There is likely to be some level of depression,
general fatigue and eventually sexual despondency as well. The sexual
despondency is usually a result of changes that occur over time in the
testes and of course, a decrease in testosterone levels.
Many doctors do not attribute these changes to male menopause. They will
state that the fatigue is due to overwork. The depression is a result of
not being happy at work or problems in the home, office or marriage.
Some go as far as to blame the decreased sexual desire on the depression
and fatigue.
Regardless of what the medical community may believe, many men in the
world suffer male menopause. Because it is so hotly debated, many suffer
in silence. There are other causes of some of the symptoms. Diabetes can
cause some of the same symptoms. Heart or cardiac problems can cause
some of the same symptoms. However, a simple blood test is all it takes
to determine if a man’s testosterone levels are lowing. If they are, a
shot of testosterone is usually the quickest solution to a large
percentage of the problems. Once the man gets that shot, if all the
other symptoms go away, it is a good probability that the other issues
are not factors after all.
Just as there are risks associated with certain hormone replacement
therapies in women, testosterone replacement therapies in men can also
pose health risks. For example if a man has prostate cancer, taking any
form of testosterone therapy may not be a good idea. Discuss these
issues with your doctor. If your doctor is uncomfortable with the
discussion or does not believe that male menopause is a very real
condition, get another doctor. Do not allow any physician to simply
write a prescription for an anti-depressant before he ensures that there
are no physical reasons for the depression, fatigue or dwindling sex
drive. It is your life and your health. Take care of them both! |
