Inconsistency with  Andropause

There is no “light switch event” to andropause. A man’s functionality – whether physically, psychologically or sexually – flips “on” and “off” at random, and it generally happens slowly over a period of decades.

In addition, the underlying message is different. Women are no longer biologically capable of becoming pregnant naturally after menopause; however, most men can continue to father children until they reach very old ages. The subtlety and inconsistency of the andropause phenomenon can increase stress for some men, particularly those who strongly correlate virility with personal power and identity.

Symptoms as a Sign of Serious Health Conditions

Experts from the National Institute of Health and the National Institute on Aging and Nutrition Health Review note that many symptoms commonly equated with andropause really have nothing to do with natural aging and can be indicators of more serious health conditions.

Instead of brushing off symptoms that might be due to age or stress, seek professional medical attention when experiencing any of the following:

• Difficulty urinating or an increase in the need to urinate: These symptoms could indicate prostate enlargement problems, testicular atrophy, or blood sugar issues. (Worst case scenario? Cancer or kidney failure.)
• Weakness, fatigue, reduced muscle and bone mass, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and reduced cognitive function can be indicators of low testosterone levels or an assortment of other biomedical/chemical problems.
• Low sex drive and/or failing to keep or maintain an erection may indicate trouble with circulatory issues, high blood pressure (hypertension), low testosterone – or any combination of these issues.

If you are not experiencing these kinds of issues but are instead coping with other issues relating to the effect of andropause, cognitive behavioral therapy may be of benefit to help adjust to social changes related to aging (such as the lack of a partner), illness or chronic conditions, and potential medication side effects.

Sources:

National Library of Medicine/National Institute of Health http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004017.htm

National Institute on Aging

http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/preventaging.htm

Nutrition Health Review (via online database/UMN) Nutrition Health Review: The Consumer’s Medical Journal; 2004, Issue 89, p7-7

While there are many symptoms associated with andropause, some of them can have a more life altering impact than others. Some of the symptoms are quite impactful and raise a great deal of concern in the men suffering from them. This is especially true if the symptoms manifest in a more extreme form.

A Decrease in Muscle Mass

Andropause symptoms can be quite varied and come in an array of surprising forms. One such form is that of decreased muscle mass. It is possible for those experiencing andropause to witness decreased muscle mass and an increase in body fat at the same time. When the symptoms are extreme, the impact on a man’s body and potentially his self-image can be profound.

A Loss of Sex Drive

One of the more serious ways that andropause can impact a man is via a decreased libido and general decreased interest in sex. Just hearing of this potential andropause symptom is usually enough to garner a good deal of fear and concern in men who are hearing about andropause for the first time. Erectile dysfunction is also a commonly experienced andropause symptom. Men often turn to drugs to address their erectile dysfunction when, in fact, the core problem may be andropause.

Loss of Height and Osteoporosis

A loss of height and osteoporosis are two symptoms that are usually associated with menopause in women. However, andropause can impact men in a similar fashion.  Some men may find that they are suffering from a loss of height or budding symptoms related to osteoporosis. This can make dealing with andropause even more difficult.

What Can Be Done?

Any man who understands the various potential symptoms of andropause may be quite concerned and left wondering what, if anything, can be done. There are steps that one can take in addressing these concerns.

1) Hit the Gym:

Once a man passes the age of thirty, it is necessary to work out in order to avoid losing body mass.

2) Pick Healthy Foods:

A healthy diet can countermand some of the effects of low testosterone.

3) Eat Omega-3 Fatty Acid Rich Foods:

Foods, such as wild Alaskan salmon, sardines and walnuts, are all loaded with omega-3 fatty acids making for great sources of protein.

4) Get Your Vitamin D:

Upping the dosage of Vitamin D is not uncommon for men, as it is an easy vitamin to be deficient in. Also, it can help boost your mood!

5) Vitamin B12:

Vitamin B12, like vitamin D, can also help in boosting mood as well.

What Exactly is Andropause?

At the heart of andropause is the issue of low testosterone levels. If men have low testosterone levels, there can be a serious impact on overall health. When men are younger, such as in their twenties, for example, they are usually not very likely to experience low testosterone levels. However, with aging comes an increased risk of experiencing andropause.

Andropause is often referred to as male menopause. This low testosterone condition is usually experienced by men that are older than forty. However, there are some statistics concerning andropause that one may find shocking. For example, it is estimated that when men reach their fifties, a full ninety-five percent will experience issues related to low testosterone. This fact makes it nothing short of amazing that andropause does not receive more attention than it usually does.

You might be wondering why you haven’t heard more about male menopause or andropause. One key reason that andropause, which impacts the overwhelming majority of men, is not more widely discussed and covered in the media is that andropause symptoms vary greatly from one individual to the next. Thus, this lack of general uniformity likely contributes to the confusion surrounding the condition.

Common Andropause Symptoms

1) Depression:

Often men never suspect that there may be a medical root to the depression they feel.

2) Mood Issues:

Commonly, men suffering from andropause will have mood issues such as irritability and anger related issues.

3) Hot Flashes:

Yes, men will get hot flashes just like women who suffer from menopause.

4) Sweating

5) Fatigue:

Fatigue can often feel like a part of life, so this is one of the andropause symptoms, which often goes unnoticed and unreported.

6) Concentration Issues:

Much like fatigue, problems with concentration can seem like a byproduct of day-to-day life and stress.

7) General Body Aches and Pains:

Those experiencing andropause will likely never suspect that their aches and pains could be associated with low testosterone.

8 ) Sleep Problems

9) Erectile Dysfunction

10) An Increase in Body Fat

11) A Loss of Height and Osteoporosis

It is important to note that male andropause is different from female menopause. For example, men’s bodies typically don’t shut down the reproductive system. As a result, men can still produce sperm even after andropause has occurred.

The set of research on andropause was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association back in the 1940′s. However, the medical community in the United States is increasingly taking note of this issue due to these symptoms being discovered in relation to low testosterone levels.

Some doctors argue that andropause isn’t a real condition due to the fact that men can reproduce even after it takes place. However, quite often men do, in fact, undergo changes to their sexual ability. Andropause symptoms dealing with erections, orgasms and libido may arise. Even so, there is currently a bit of controversy in the medical community as to whether or not a “male menopause” actually exists.

Andropause symptoms can vary from man to man, but they usually include decreased energy levels and lack of interest in physical activity. Men may notice that they have more body fat and less muscle tone. Also some men feel as though they are less mentally sharp and, in fact, they often feel depressed or irritable. Night sweats and insomnia can also occur during andropause.

Oftentimes men experience these various symptoms and do not realize that these symptoms are tied to andropause. As a result, they may seek a particular cure for one of the systematic issues. For example, they may seek an antidepressant to help with depression. However, other issues tied to andropause will still remain in tact even after one problem is treated.

It is possible to seek hormone replacement treatments to counteract andropause symptoms. Hormone replacement is available through injection, patches, gels, pills and creams. Sometimes lack of testosterone can cause medical issues, so hormone replacement can have a curative effect on certain occasions. For example, men can lose bone density during andropause resulting in osteoporosis.

If you believe that you have serious medical issues tied to andropause, talk to your doctor. You will find that he or she may recommend hormone treatments to deal with andropause symptoms. However, there are other treatment options concerning how to deal with low testosterone levels. For example, herbs, proper diet and exercise can all be beneficial. Finding the right medication and therapy for your symptoms is essential.