28 Feb Menopause in Men: Warning Signs, Causes, and Action Steps
Menopause is often a term associated with females. However, men are not immune to the condition. While not all men are affected, most can experience symptoms as they grow older.
It’s more than common for men above the age of 50 to experience mood swings, low libido, and a general lack of energy. It could be a sign of declining testosterone levels and aging.
But can these symptoms indicate something more and do men go through menopause?
Yes, “male menopause” is a real medical condition.
In essence, it’s nothing but the hormonal changes a man experiences as a part of natural aging.
Carrying the same sex-specific hormonal changes, it can be associated with Androgen Deficiency of the Ageing Male (ADAM), late-onset hypogonadism, andropause, and low testosterone.
The only way for proper diagnosis is to check the hormonal levels with a blood test.
In reality, though, there’s little to worry about.
Unlike women, men will not experience severe menopause symptoms.
So, unless you’re having big issues, you can make certain lifestyle adjustments at home to manage the symptoms.
This blog covers everything about that and more.
We’re going to explore why Do Men Get Menopause, male menopause symptoms, and what can be done to address the condition.
First, assess yourself for these signs of male menopause.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause in Men?
Men are luckier than their female counterparts when it comes to the severity of the symptoms.
As compared to Female Menopause, the development of symptoms in men is often slower and more subtle.
Regardless, men can still have some of the same symptoms as women during menopause.
The Key Warning Signs of Male Menopause Include:
- Feeling low, sad, and depressed on a constant basis
- Lacking energy and motivation
- Difficulty focusing and concentrating on tasks
- Weight gain and belly bulge
- Loss of muscle mass
- Low sexual drive, libido, or infertility
- Hot flashes
- Moodiness and irritable nature
- Gynecomastia, swollen or tender breasts
- Loss of body hair
- Increased fatigue
- Sleep issues or insomnia
- A decrease in bone density
- Excessive sweating or night sweats
- Erectile dysfunction
- Urinary problems
Coincidentally, most of these signs are also common as andropause symptoms or symptoms of late-onset hypogonadism.
In fact, these could also indicate any other underlying condition that has nothing to do with menopause.
You have to be on the lookout as erectile dysfunction and low sex drive can also indicate Infertility in Men.
So, have you been experiencing many of these physical, psychological, and sexual changes lately?
If you’ve multiple signs and they’re troubling you, it’s best to seek medical advice. But if you’ve minor symptoms, try some solutions at home.
When Do Guys Go Through Menopause?
Men may start experiencing symptoms of male menopause between the age of 40-70.
However, menopause or andropause age can also lie below 40.
Younger men in their 30s may experience some symptoms depending on their current health condition and t-levels.
Still, if you’ve discomfort, do not wait around and reach out to a doctor. Hormonal fluctuations are a normal aspect of life and happen to everyone.
While you should make healthy lifestyle adjustments, consulting a healthcare professional helps rule out underlying medical issues.
Besides medical conditions, here are some details about why do men go through menopause.
Why Do Men Go Through Menopause?
The most common causes of male menopause include aging and testosterone decline!
But that’s not to say that these are the only factors responsible for menopause in men.
Testosterone decline is a condition that’s certain to happen for every man with age.
So, if testosterone deficiency was to be the only cause of male menopause, then every man will be experiencing menopause, which is clearly not the case.
Due to this, there’s a lot of confusion around determining the leading reasons of male menopause.
As a matter of fact, male menopause can also occur in men with chronic illnesses, including high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
But what if you’re above 50 and disease-free and still experiencing signs and symptoms?
In that case, the most logical explanation could indeed be low testosterone or a poor lifestyle.
What’s more?
Low testosterone, further, has been linked to obesity and diabetes along with other undesirable physiological and psychological changes.
Certain physical and mental changes often trigger stress and depression, which can eventually lead up to menopause-like symptoms.
So, you see, a lot of factors go hand in hand. Based on this, how do you establish why do men go through menopause?
Here’s summing up…
Causes of Male Menopause
Menopause in men could have a range of risk factors including:
- Testosterone decline with age.
- Genetic and chronic illnesses, including diabetes, inflammatory arthritic disease, HIV, or lung disease.
- Obesity
- Heavy smoking and alcohol abuse
- Stress
- Lack of sleep or sleep deprivation
- Anxiety
- Poor dietary habits
- Low self-esteem and mental and psychological effects of a midlife crisis
Thus, there’s no saying what could be causing menopause symptoms for you.
A doctor might ask you for a blood sample to test for testosterone levels.
Plus, if you have symptoms, a medical practitioner would also want to assess your medical history.
The good news is most men don’t find male menopause symptoms to be intruding their life.
How Long Does Male Menopause Last?
The time duration of your symptoms relies on when you get treatment.
However, this is a tough one to answer if you want an exact timeline.
Most men do not even suspect menopausal symptoms and disregard it as a normal part of aging.
Needless to say, this leaves room for the symptoms to worsen. An untreatable case of low testosterone may go on indefinitely until you seek treatment.
In some cases, your body may also adjust to the low testosterone symptoms with time. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t be doing something about it.
Moreover, once the symptoms are established, there are ways to get treatment. The most common of them are making lifestyle changes to address the disconcerting signs.
Male Menopause Treatment: How to Fix Menopause in Men?
Due to the mixed symptoms and a general lack of awareness, you may be stuck in your choices. However, there’s nothing to worry about!
Worrying anyways is not conducive as it may lead to more stress, aggravating your symptoms.
Know that you have the power to manage this on your own. Even if the cause of your symptoms includes a medical condition, there is a cure.
If you’re obese or overweight, you can take up a weight management program and exercise. Reducing belly fat can address a lot of health issues for men in general.
In fact, you must take necessary action steps to maintain a healthy routine irrespective of your medications and other treatment plans.
Natural Remedies for Male Menopause
Making these lifestyle changes will dramatically improve your health and will likely reduce the symptoms.
- Eat a balanced healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Strive to sleep for at least 8 hours each night
- Maintain a proper sleep schedule
- Avoid processed foods and alcohol
- Quit smoking
- Practice calming activities to relieve anxiety
- Manage stress and avoid stressful situations if possible
- Have a good laugh and connect with friends
Taking these steps alone will show improvements in managing your symptoms.
As for the vitamin supplements for male menopause, they are often ineffective.
These supplements may not contain what’s required to address your specific symptoms.
Testosterone replacement therapy is another treatment option for men.
However, weigh in pros and cons before going for this as it does have other side effects and complications.
Testosterone decline is a natural part of a man’s life. So, start making healthy lifestyle decisions to ward off severe symptoms from now on.
Eat accordingly and practice testosterone-boosting exercises at home.
As men grow older, they have to pay extra attention to their diet.
Eat foods rich in zinc, magnesium, protein, and other essential minerals to optimize your diet.
The Final Outlook
Aging brings in a number of physical and mental changes. Not everything will be under your control.
Now, you should have a fair idea of why do men go through menopause and its natural remedies.
Regardless, male menopause is not something to lose sleep over unless the symptoms are disrupting your day-to-day life. Most cases are self-treatable with healthy lifestyle changes.
Talk to a healthcare professional if you suspect some other medical issues, though.
Treatment of underlying conditions will more than likely fix your symptoms.
It’s normal to experience hormonal fluctuations with age.
Being observant and making changes in your diet, sleep patterns, and physical activities should be your first step. These will naturally increase the likelihood of getting rid of male menopause symptoms.
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