Andropause and Men

Menopause being an isolated transition of women is a widely accepted myth. Andropause, male menopause, is a reduction in the production of certain hormones in the male body. Testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone decrease greatly during Andropause, which typically occurs in the middle age of a male's life. Just as in Female Menopause, Male Menopause is characterized by a decrease in fertility hormones. Many contributing factors in Andropause are smoking, alcohol consumption, medications, lack of exercise, poor diet, and poor circulation. Testosterone is the male hormone responsible for sexual development, bone, and muscle growth.

Symptoms of Andropause vary greatly among men, and some may never experience any of those common to sufferers. Decreased levels of testosterone have been directly related to several problems both physical and psychological in men. Many middle-aged men report a lessening of their usual libido and potency during this transitional phase. Men also experience hot flashes and sweating, which is similar to what women report feeling during Female Menopause. Sudden fatigue and insomnia can become a major problem leading to other health issues during this major life change. In addition to the bodily health issues, there are also psychological shifts. Depression and nervousness plague men going through Andropause. Impaired memory and the inability to concentrate are also common symptoms with the decrease of testosterone during middle age. Osteoporosis is directly related to loss of the male hormone. Just as with Female Menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapies are used to treat males going through Andropause.

The controversy with Andropause is that many health care organizations and providers refuse to recognize it as a transitional phase of a male's life. Some regard it as a disease or deficiency, rather than a bodily change. Critics of the term also cite the belief that Female Menopause is an abrupt change. The transition for women, however, is scientifically proven to occur over several years just as Andropause does. There is also the argument that unlike Female Menopause, Andropause does not cause the total shut down of the reproductive system in men. A male's reproductive system slows down and may experience bouts of impotency, but function does not cease altogether.