So, what exactly is male menopause? Unlike females who have a well-defined menopause, which marks the cessation of certain hormonal production, male menopause is slightly more complicated. It is not so well defined, and it takes longer time to show up or set in.
Male menopause happens when the levels of the reproductive hormone testosterone begin to go down. This results in lower libido, increased fatigue, and serious depression.
There are many factors that can result in the gradual decline in the production/secretion of the male sexual hormone testosterone. These factors can be genetic, environmental, stress related, or health related. Research has shown that people suffering from diabetes experience a gradual fall in testosterone level, resulting in male menopause.
There is no clear-cut age that marks the onset of male menopause, but it is mostly seen in men 50 and above. Although the aging process lowers the testosterone levels in all men, the decrease is quite sharp in men suffering from male menopause.
Male menopause can be diagnosed through a series of medical tests that determine the levels of testosterone in the blood. A blood test can confirm if a problem exists. The symptoms of male menopause include general fatigue, low libido, and sexual dysfunction.
Don't panic if you are suffering from this problem as there are various medical treatments available to deal with male menopause.
Testosterone replacement therapy is one effective treatment. In this treatment, the level of testosterone - the sex hormone - of the patient is increased so that is comparable to that of a healthy male.
There is a huge debate surrounding this treatment. “Testosterone replacement therapy” can be effective in relieving symptoms, but it has its own share of harmful side effects.
There are other medicines available on the market to deal with male menopause, but these medicines should be taken only after expert counsel. Some specific exercises can also be helpful for male menopause.
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