Dealing with the Symptoms of Male Menopause
9 March 2007As the debate rages on as to whether or not male Menopause exists, men around the world are desperately trying to deal with the real symptoms of Male Menopause, also called Andropause, which is defined as the reduction in male hormone levels, specifically Testosterone, as men age. It is reported that male Testosterone levels drop at a rate of 1% per year after the age of 30.
Common symptoms of male menopause include depression, sexual dysfunction, lethargy, night sweats, hot flashes and fatigue. As with female Menopause, different men suffer from different groups of symptoms. Some men experience loss of sexual desire but do not have depression or night sweats. Other men report fatigue and depression but have no issues with sexual libido.
See a Doctor – First and foremost, if you think you may be going through Male Menopause, you need to seek medical attention. It is important for your doctor to properly diagnose your symptoms as being Andropause before treatment is determined. The primary treatment for Andropause is Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). Similar to HRT for women, testosterone replacement works to return normal hormonal levels to a healthy range. Most men report that once on TRT, the symptoms are less frequent and less severe. It should be noted that Testosterone Replacement Therapy does not help with erectile dysfunction (ED) in many men. For men with ED symptoms, you may also want to speak you’re your doctor about erectile therapies.
Be Open Minded – There is no shame in having male menopause; it is a natural part of the aging process for men. Acceptance is a huge part of overcoming some of the psychological symptoms such as depression and irritability.
Keep Busy – Luckily, the symptoms will pass and you will be back to your old self. In the meantime, it is important not to withdraw from life or you may amplify the depressive elements of male menopause. Stay busy, keeping both your mind and body active. Spend a lot of time with loved ones, and even if you are having difficulty with sexual dysfunction, remain intimate with your wife or partner. The intimacy is critical to feeling loved, accepted and keeps you happy internally.
It’s Not a Dirty Secret – Talk to your spouse about your male menopause; openly discussing symptoms and issues. Let your loved one know when you are having a bad day and celebrate the good days together. Having someone by your side while you experience male menopause symptoms will make it easier to get through.
Educate Yourself – Check out websites, go to the library, or join a support group. Do whatever you need to do in order to educate yourself about male menopause. Remember that knowledge is power and the more you know, the more you can do to help yourself get through it.
The best thing about Male Menopause is that it will not last forever. However, by avoiding the issue and not dealing head-on with the symptoms, the depression could get the better of you, and a year could seem like a lifetime. Seek help, reach out to your friends and family, and educate yourself and overall, it will be easier to get through.
Learn more about male menopause treatment.
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