Male Menopause: Myth or Reality?

Most of the people believe that Menopause is essentially a phase in women's life whence they suffer from hot-flushes, night sweats, irritability and reduced libido. Any such phenomena in males has neither been proclaimed nor trusted.

Do Males Suffer from Male Menopause or Andropause as it is widely known?

The answer is Yes with a capital Y; you must have seen or heard your father, uncle, brother or husband complaining of night sweats, sleep disturbances, depression and reduced libido in their late 50s. They are nothing but symptoms of Andropause or Viropuse.

What is Andropause or Viropause?

Andropause or Viropause is a syndrome associated with lack of or absence of testosterone. Thus we often use acronym A.D.A.M. for Andropause which stands for Androgen Decline in Aging Males. The hormonal level in men begins to drop by the age of 40 and by 50 half of all men experience a significant reduction in testosterone levels, causing a variety of uncomfortable ailments. Men go through a change very much like women in their middle years, they like women, experience complex hormonal rhythms that affect their sexuality, mood, and temperament.

This phase often coincides with some major changes of life expressed in terms of a career change, divorce, or reordering of life. Male menopause is thus a psychological, interpersonal, social and spiritual dimension.

Do all men suffer from Andropause?

According to researches, about one in every 10 men between the ages of 40 and 60 has low testosterone. Among men over the age of 60, the numbers jump to one in every five men. But some men don't experience much of a crisis; they just continue living through the first part of their life and the second.

Male menopause can occur naturally in some men. More often than not, though, andropause is triggered by illness, depression, dementia, and obesity. Certain diseases that attack the heart and lungs also seem to affect the production of testosterone. Men who have had autoimmune diseases or cancer seem to be at an increased risk for low testosterone levels.

Acute andropause in men is relatively uncommon, compared to acute menopause in women, because testicular function declines gradually in most men.

Why do men suffer from such complaints?

Andropause occurs when a man's production of hormones declines to below normal levels. These hormones include testosterone, thyroid, human growth hormone (HGH), and dihydroepiandosterone (DHEA). In addition, production of estrogen actually increases in men undergoing andropause.

How can I recognize Andropause?

Other than decline in testosterone, Andropause is often manifested by following symptoms:

Physical

• Less endurance for physical activity
• Gain in weight
• Bone deterioration
• Loss or thinning of hair
• Sleep disturbance

Psychological

• Irritability
• Indecisiveness
• Anxiety and fear
• Depression
• Feeling lonely, unattractive and unloved
• Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
• inability to concentrate
• mood swings

Sexual

• Reduced interest in sex
• Increased anxiety and fear about losing sexual potency
• Increased fantasies about having sex with a new and younger partner.
• Loss of libido or sex drive.
• Decreased erectile function.
• decreased strength of orgasm
• More relationship problems and fights over sex, love and intimacy

How can I diagnose Andropause?

The diagnosis of andropause should include complete blood count and chemistry profile, free and total testosterone, estradiol (estrogen), progesterone, DHEA, luteinizing hormone and homocysteine. When interpreting the results, the free testosterone in the serum or blood should be in the mid- to high-normal range (10.8 nmol/L to 24.6 nmol/L), and estradiol (estrogen) in the low-normal range (below 32 pg/ml).

How can I cope with changes associated with Andropause?

The easiest method to cope is to enjoy life as it comes. After all menopause is a transition phase of your life whence you should take care of your physical as well as psychological needs. Exercise, take brisk walk, eat well and just relax. The basic mantra is Enjoy Ageing. Next is to talk to your friends and doctor about it; research demonstrates that men by and large are less likely to see a doctor for any reason. The male ego doesn't usually ever want to admit to having a problem. Men want to be macho and if they have a problem they just don't want to talk about it. It is because the male psyche does not accept a dependent role. So ignoring this behavior would surely help in dealing with such complaints.

Is their any treatment of Andropause?

Men often do not seek treatment for andropause. A lot of men feel uncomfortable speaking about their symptoms and, in the past, doctors haven't taken men's menopause seriously. Some of the available lines of treatment include:

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). Like estrogen replacement in women, testosterone replacement aims to bring hormonal levels back up to a healthy level. Once testosterone levels are increased, most men begin to experience fewer symptoms. Unfortunately, testosterone replacement doesn't always work well to combat erectile dysfunction.

Some herbs are also known to influence the hormonal cycle and when given help in controlling symptoms.

Homeopathy in Andropause

Homeopathy offers a help in cases of Andropause; homeopathic medicines are known to control symptoms related to hormonal imbalances. If chosen appropriately, they even regulate the reduced hormonal levels bringing about a sense of well being and comfort.

Some homeopathic medicines which have been found to give better results in such cases are:

Lycopodium : Intellectually keen but physically weak men who seek dispute. Impotence with excessive flatulence.

Graphitis : Aversion to coition in timid,chilly men with chronic constipation.

Agnus cast : Premature old age with melancholy, self contempt and no sexual power or desire.

Caladium : Sensitive, irritable, depressed individual with no erections even after caress. Disturbed digestion with frequent eructations.

Sharing this essential bit of information with you all I present to you all the November Issue of Homeopathic Horizon on Health through Homeopathy. Hoping that you all enjoy it.

Happy Reading