Familiarizing Yourself with Male Menopause
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008Speak of menopause and by and large the first thoughts that enter your audience’s minds are of women in the 45-55 year age range. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, men suffer from menopause just like women do, although their reasons for doing so may vary. In addition, familiarizing yourself with this condition also will help you deal with male menopause’s symptoms which differ somewhat from the condition as it is experienced by women.
The symptoms of male menopause have been reported by men as not being quite as severe as the symptoms women undergo during menopause. Andropause, the clinical name for male menopause, has been linked to the testosterone decline in men as they age. Those who go through male menopause often describe symptoms that are similar to those initially described by women going through menopause.
Hot flashes, sudden and recurring episodes of sweating, tender mammary glands, and also an unstable libido are symptoms typically related to female menopause. Andropause sufferers also experience these symptoms; however the level of severity is often varied. Doctors find those who are aware of the frequency and severity of their symptoms are often able to get successful treatment.
Unfortunately, men do not usually like to talk about andropause and, truth be told, many do not even know that this condition exists. On the other hand, some men become concerned because male menopause symptoms mimic the experience of kidney and liver disease. Sadly, even though they may be concerned about these major bodily systems, it is this very concern that may prevent them from seeking out medical help and reassurance.
Men and women around the world will admit menopause is not something pleasant to go through, as it’s very uncomfortable. Due to the uncomfortable nature of menopause, there has been a surge in herbal medicines that are said to treat hormonal changes associated with menopause. One should know however that these herbs cannot cure menopause, but only lessen bothersome symptoms.
Those interested in taking herbal supplements to help with symptoms of menopause should first talk with their doctor. The reason talking with a doctor or pharmacist is important is because many herbs can be toxic when combined with prescriptions you may already take. Their counteraction can be deadly, so talking with a doctor can help you determine which herbs are best for you in combination with drugs you’re already taking on a regular basis.
Andropause is treated by physicians with simple testosterone replacement therapy. In this aspect, the treatment mimics that of female menopause which is usually treated with hormone replacement therapy as well. Sufferers of both forms of menopause have reported that this greatly relieves the symptoms that make them most uncomfortable.
In some cases a concurrent course of treatment will involve talking therapy or counseling sessions, especially when andropause or menopause severely affect the libido. Sexual problems have been determined to be a premier reason for divorce among older couples, and seeking to avoid this issue is imperative. Additionally, in many cases men have to come to grips with a false but persistent impression of a loss of manhood.




