Can men also go through menopause? & bull; hello healthy

Like women, men are also said to be able to experience menopause. This is because by the time they are in their late 40s to early 50s, some men can experience symptoms similar to those of a woman going through menopause. But is this really a symptom of male menopause, or is it something else?

Symptoms of "menopause" experienced by men starting in their late 40s

Some of the symptoms that are often suspected of menopause include:

• Decreased sexual arousal and function.
• Erectile dysfunction, impotence, and difficulty maintaining an erection.
• Sudden mood swings and irritability.
• Reduced muscle mass and decreased ability to perform physical activity or sports.
• Dry skin and excessive sweating.
• Distribution of fat more towards the stomach and chest, causing a distended stomach or the appearance of "male breasts".
• Losing energy and enthusiasm.
• Difficulty sleeping such as insomnia.
• It's easy to get tired.
• Decreased ability to concentrate and decreased short-term memory skills.

Does menopause in men really exist?

Compared to using the term menopause in men, health professionals often use the terms andropause, testosterone deficiency, androgen deficiency, or hypognadism. All of these designations refer to a reduction in the hormones which primarily play a role in male sexual function. The use of the word "menopause" is considered to cause misunderstanding because menopause in men is not always caused by a decrease in the amount of certain hormones as occurs in female menopause.

The difference between menopause in men and menopause in women

Menopause in men is not the same as menopause in women. If menopause in women is caused by a decrease in the hormone estrogen, menopause in men is not always caused by a decrease in the hormone testosterone. Although the hormone testosterone decreases with age, the decline tends to be stable from year to year, which is only around 1-2% per year when men are between 30-40 years old.

Menopause in men also does not necessarily cause complete dysfunction of sexual organs, in contrast to women who can no longer get pregnant after menopause. And the fundamental thing that distinguishes menopause in women from menopause in men is that not all men will experience it, while women when they reach a certain age will definitely experience menopause.

Causes of menopause in men

Unlike menopause in women which is purely caused by a decrease in the amount of certain hormones, menopause in men can be caused by various things. The main thing is a decrease in the level of the hormone testosterone, which has decreased gradually since men were in their 30s. But other factors such as lifestyle, psychological problems, to midlife crises (midlife crisis) also plays a role in the onset of menopause in men. Menopausal symptoms are also more likely to appear in men who have heart problems, are obese, have hypertension, or have type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Menopause in men is also exacerbated by lifestyle factors. For example, a poor diet can lead to accumulation of fat in the abdomen, a symptom that occurs in male menopause. Psychological problems such as financial problems, divorce, and worries about old age can also cause menopause symptoms to appear. In addition, decreased enthusiasm for life and enthusiasm can be caused midlife crisis , a situation in which a man feels that he has reached middle age and begins to question what he has achieved so far. Midlife crisis ongoing depression can lead to depression later in life.

Psychological problems and midlife crisis It is not impossible that the symptoms of insomnia appear, sudden changes in mood and nervousness that are entirely a symptom of menopause in men. Habits in youth such as irregular sleep patterns, lack of exercise, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking are also factors that support the appearance of other symptoms of male menopause.

How to diagnose menopause in men?

If you feel the symptoms mentioned above and suspect the possibility of menopause, you can see a doctor. You may be asked what symptoms you have, what your daily lifestyle is, and what your medical history has been like. Don't be embarrassed to mention your symptoms. If low testosterone levels are suspected, blood tests may be needed to check your testosterone levels.

Can menopause in men be prevented and treated?

As previously explained, the cause of menopause in men is not only a decrease in hormone levels alone. Health and lifestyle factors also influence the appearance of menopause symptoms so that lifestyle changes for the better can reduce menopause symptoms. Several ways that can be done, namely:

• Follow a healthy diet.
• Get regular exercise.
• Get enough sleep.
• Reduces stress.

These steps can not only prevent menopause in men but can also reduce menopausal symptoms that have already appeared. Apart from lifestyle changes, your doctor may also suggest hormone therapy as a solution. But this is still a matter of controversy because synthetic testosterone can have adverse health effects such as increasing the risk of prostate cancer.