Causes, symptoms and possible negative consequences.
Hormonal changes are a natural part of aging. They occur in both women and men. But if in women everything happens quickly and abruptly – ovulation stops, and the level of sex hormones drops in a relatively short period of time, that is, menopause occurs – in men, the process of reducing the production of testosterone and other male hormones occurs very gradually and takes many years.
After the age of 40, testosterone levels decline by an average of about 1% per year. This is a very small decrease. In most older men, the testicles continue to function and testosterone levels are still within the normal range. However, in about 10-25% of men over the age of 50, there is a more significant drop in the production of male sex hormones, and the so-called male “menopause”, or rather, andropause, occurs.
Male “menopause” differs from female menopause not only in that not all men experience it, but also in that it is not accompanied by a complete cessation of the function of the reproductive organs, although it can bring with it sexual problems due to low testosterone levels.
In addition, the drop in testosterone often goes unnoticed, and men simply do not suspect that they have come into andropause. This is due to the fact that the symptoms of this condition are either absent or too non-specific, and they are associated with age, side effects of drugs or some other health problems.
However, identifying the real cause of ailments can change the quality of life for the better.
Male menopause symptoms
Andropause can be associated with a range of physical, sexual and mental problems that can get worse with age. Among them:
- loss of strength, lack of energy;
- decreased mood;
- decreased motivation, unwillingness to do anything;
- difficulty concentrating;
- insomnia, or vice versa, increased drowsiness;
- excess weight;
- decreased muscle mass, feeling of physical weakness;
- gynecomastia, that is, an increase in the mammary glands, accompanied by a feeling of discomfort, swelling and increased sensitivity;
- decreased bone density, increased risk of fractures;
- decrease in the frequency of spontaneous erections, erectile dysfunction;
- decreased libido, loss of interest in sex;
- infertility;
- reduction in the size of the testicles;
- hair loss on the body;
- increased sweating, hot flashes.
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What can cause testosterone deficiency?
1. Type 2 diabetes
Studies show that men with too low levels of the male sex hormone are at several times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This may be due to the fact that with low testosterone, the volume of visceral fat, that is, adipose tissue deposited around the internal organs of the abdominal cavity, increases. This type of body fat is considered especially dangerous, as it is associated with metabolic disorders and increased levels of inflammation in the body.
2. Dementia
The link between low testosterone and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older men is supported by numerous studies. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the health and normal functioning of the male brain is largely dependent on testosterone levels. Hormone deficiency leads to neurodegeneration and the decline of intelligence.
3. Depression
Testosterone promotes the production of the “pleasure hormone” dopamine in the brain, and also enhances the activity of another hormone responsible for good mood, serotonin.
Therefore, experts suggest that testosterone deficiency may increase the risk of depression.
However, studies on this topic show conflicting results.
What to do if andropause occurs?
As in the case of menopause in women, men are also prescribed hormone replacement therapy, but everything is not so simple. The fact is that synthetic testosterone, which compensates for the deficiency of the hormone produced by the body, has dangerous side effects.
In particular, if a man has an early stage of prostate cancer, testosterone therapy can promote the growth of a malignant tumor. In addition, such therapy may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Therefore, it is better to fight the symptoms of andropause with a healthy lifestyle – a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and reducing stress levels.
According to the materials of the sites mayoclinic.org, webmd.com, healthline.com
Read also:
10 main rules of men’s health
Male infertility: how it is detected and treated today
Hypersexuality in men was explained by an excess of the “hormone of love”