As people age, most men experience symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, and decreased physical strength. Although these symptoms are usually attributed to aging, in medicine there is a different explanation for this condition, which is known as andropause or male menopause. Andropause is a condition in which the level of testosterone gradually decreases and can bring a series of physical, psychological and sexual symptoms in men. If you also want to know what menopause is exactly, what are its symptoms and what are the methods to control or treat it, follow this article with your doctor.
How is menopause in men?
Testosterone levels are low during pre-puberty, but increase dramatically with the onset of puberty and create a series of masculine changes in the body. Male hair growth, erection ability, increased strength and muscle strength are all effects of this hormone.
Now, from the third decade of life onwards, the level of testosterone decreases naturally and gradually. As a result of this gradual drop in testosterone, a person experiences several symptoms related to sexual disorders and physical changes that indicate the body is entering a new and different phase.
Common symptoms of menopause in men include loss of libido, fatigue, mood changes and loss of muscle mass.
Common Menopause Symptoms
Symptoms of male menopause can vary from person to person because the drop in testosterone is not the same in all men and some may not have any symptoms despite having low testosterone. But when symptoms do appear, the most common ones are:
Menopause difference between men and women's menopause
Men, just like women, experience a decrease in sex hormones and menopause with age. With the difference that this process happens much more slowly in them, and therefore the symptoms of andropause are usually milder and appear gradually.
In fact, the decline of the main male hormone, namely testosterone, begins at around 30 years of age, and unlike women whose hormonal decline occurs over several years, the level of testosterone in men decreases by only about 1% every year. These changes are so minor that their effects are not felt for many men.
English text: Unlike women, men don’t lose their fertility with andropause; it simply decreases. Men can still remain fertile and have offspring naturally into their 50s and 60s. Farsi translation: Unlike women, men with andropause do not lose their fertility completely; Rather, their fertility only decreases. Men can remain fertile and have children naturally even into their 50s and 60s.
The process of hormone decline is slow and gradual.
The process of hormonal changes is shorter and clearer.
Symptoms are usually mild and They appear gradually.
Symptoms are usually experienced more clearly.
Some men with low testosterone are asymptomatic.
Hormonal decline usually accompanies symptoms.
Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction are common.
Complete loss of fertility occurs.
Increase in size or swelling of breast tissue may be seen.
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Decrease in muscle mass and increase in body fat.
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Decrease in bone density and height may occur.
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Sweating and Hot flashes may be present.
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Decreased energy, motivation, concentration, and sleep disturbances are reported.
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Depression and mood swings may be seen.
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Fertility is not completely lost, only reduced.
Fertility is completely lost.
There is a possibility of natural childbearing until the 50s and 60s.
There is no possibility of natural pregnancy after menopause.
The main reason is the natural decline of testosterone with age.
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Hypogonadism It can be an aggravating factor.
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Diagnosis is done by testing testosterone and evaluating symptoms.
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In this table, menopause is compared between men and women.
cause of menopause in men
The main cause of menopause in men is the natural decrease in testosterone levels with age. This is a natural and gradual process. However, in addition to age, hypogonadism can also play a role in male menopause. Hypogonadism occurs when the testicles or hormone regulating centers in the brain do not function properly and the body cannot produce enough testosterone.
If the problem is with the testicles, this condition is known as primary hypogonadism.
If the problem is from the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, it is called secondary hypogonadism.
factors accelerating testosterone decrease in men
Some factors can accelerate the process of testosterone reduction and the onset of menopause in men, the most important of which we have mentioned below:
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases
Obesity and excess fat accumulation that can interfere with the natural production of hormones.
Alcohol and drug use
Factors related to lifestyle such as improper diet, lack of physical activity and insufficient sleep
Psychological factors such as long-term stress, anxiety and depression
Autoimmune disorders and other diseases that affect hormonal balance.
Menopause is often diagnosed through testosterone level testing, evaluation of clinical symptoms, and medical history.
menopause diagnosis methods
Sometimes your doctor will recommend a series of tests to determine if your symptoms are related to male menopause or if something else is involved, including the following:
1. Review of medical history and physical examination
The first thing your doctor will do is review your medical history and ask you about your symptoms. He then performs a physical examination to determine the possible cause of the symptoms.
2. Blood test
Measuring testosterone levels through blood tests is very important. This test determines whether testosterone levels are below normal. If the testosterone level has decreased, there is a possibility of andropause, and the doctor makes the final diagnosis based on clinical symptoms and other tests.
3. Additional tests (if needed)
In some cases, blood tests to check liver and kidney health or imaging of gonads and brain are also recommended. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may order other tests to check for conditions that cause similar symptoms, including:
Thyroid function test to check for thyroid disorders
Lipid profile to assess cholesterol levels
Blood sugar test to check diabetes
Bone density measurement to assess bone health and prevent osteoporosis
Menopause treatment and management
Menopause is usually a natural stage of life. If significant symptoms are present, medical evaluation is necessary to find the cause and decide on treatment. However, if symptoms become severe enough to affect a person's life, a doctor may use the following treatments to control problems such as decreased libido, extreme fatigue, and a tendency toward depression:
1. Testosterone hormone therapy (according to the doctor's opinion)
If testosterone depletion is severe or causes significant symptoms, your doctor may recommend testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to improve symptoms. Common methods of hormone therapy with testosterone medication include:
A skin patch that is placed on dry skin once a day and slowly introduces the hormone into the bloodstream.
Topical gel is also applied directly on the skin (usually on the arms). Since the gel may be transferred to others through skin contact, one should wash hands after each use.
Testosterone capsules are best taken twice a day after meals. Of course, people who have liver, heart, kidney problems or high calcium levels should avoid taking this medicine arbitrarily.
Testosterone injection is done at intervals and has significant effects in regulating testosterone levels.
English text: TRT is meant to be a long-term therapy. If you stop taking testosterone, your levels will return to baseline. Farsi translation: The purpose of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is to provide long-term treatment. If you stop taking testosterone, your hormone levels will return to normal.
Lifestyle modifications including a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management can help delay male menopause symptoms and maintain hormonal balance.
2. lifestyle modification
Sometimes the doctor recommends simple but effective measures to improve lifestyle and control testosterone levels, including:
Reducing stress levels by doing meditation, yoga and relaxing activities
Early detection of depression symptoms and referral to a psychiatrist if needed
Increasing physical activity with strength exercises and resistance exercises
Increasing the consumption of foods that promote the health of hormones such as proteins, healthy fats (such as omega-3), vitamins and minerals
Reducing alcohol and smoking, which have direct effects on decreasing testosterone levels
3. Menopause treatment in traditional medicine
In traditional medicine, male menopause treatment focuses more on strengthening sexual power, increasing energy and hormonal balance. Lifestyle modification including proper diet, regular exercise and stress reduction is also an important part of treatment.
These approaches are usually complementary to medical treatments and are used with the aim of improving the quality of life and reducing the symptoms of andropause, but they are not a substitute for medical treatment. Some traditional medicine treatments can help reduce the symptoms of menopause in men, including:
Ginsing relieves andropause symptoms by reducing stress, improving sleep quality and reducing fatigue.
Fenugreek which can increase libido and testosterone levels.
Saffron, which is useful in treating erectile dysfunction and improving sexual performance.
complications of menopause in men
Menopause or andropause occurs due to the gradual decrease of testosterone with age and can have physical, psychological and sexual effects. If the decrease in testosterone is severe and not controlled, men may experience the following complications:
Damage to sexual and marital relationship
Decreasing work capacity and physical strength
Weight gain and the possibility of type 2 diabetes
increasing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures
Decreasing cardiovascular health
ways to prevent male menopause
Although it is not possible to completely prevent andropause, it is possible to control the rate of decrease in testosterone level and in this way the occurrence of menopause in men can be postponed to an older age. For this purpose, it is recommended to follow some important points:
Having a balanced diet and weight management play an essential role in controlling the symptoms of menopause in men and can prevent the decrease in testosterone caused by excessive fat accumulation.
Regular physical activity helps maintain an ideal weight and can slow down the rate of decline in testosterone levels.
Creating a regular sleep schedule and having enough sleep is another key factor for maintaining health and hormonal balance of the body.
Conclusion
Until a long time ago, many people thought that there was no such thing as male menopause. But the fact is that although male menopause or andropause is not as severe as female menopause, it is considered a natural part of the aging process in men. In this situation, the level of testosterone hormone, which plays a key role in maintaining male characteristics and functions, gradually decreases and the person may experience various symptoms. But there is no need to worry because by modifying your lifestyle, proper nutrition, regular exercise and, if needed, hormone therapy, you can keep the level of male hormones in balance and maintain your health, energy and quality of life.
Your doctor takes care of your health!
Frequently Asked Questions
Testosterone levels begin to decrease after the age of 30, but the symptoms of menopause in men are usually until the age of 50 to 55. They do not show their age. Of course, it should be noted that this process can appear differently in each person.
Yes, all men experience menopause. However, the severity of symptoms, the time of their onset, and the extent of testosterone decline vary from person to person. Some may experience a significant drop in hormones and severe symptoms, while others may not notice much of a change.
Yes, with a healthy lifestyle such as regular exercise, adequate sleep and proper nutrition, the level can be reduced to some extent. Controlled testosterone. However, in some cases, the doctor may use more effective methods such as hormone therapy to better manage the condition.
The normal level of testosterone in adult men is usually around 8.7 to 29 nanomoles. per liter (equivalent to 250 to 836 ng/dL). If the testosterone level is significantly lower than this value, treatment is needed.
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