Living with Male Menopause: My Symptoms and How I Coped

I guess the first thing that should be said is that male menopause is actually called andropause. Whatever you call it, the symptoms - such as hot flashes, sweats, muscle fatigue, joint aches, mood swings, irritability and depression - are very real. Experts attribute this to a gradual decline in testosterone. It is not always an indicator and you can experience other symptoms without a significant decline in sexual vitality, though for most men over 40, it is inevitable.

Sometime around age 52 or so, things changed for me. I found myself with much less patience. I took on a new job in a turnaround company and spent most of the first months there yelling at people to do their jobs. It got so bad they sent me to school to learn another way to do my job. At this point I went to my doctor for a different complaint, and when he asked me in the visit interview if anything else was going on, I told him of my grouchiness and emotional state. That's when he told me about male menopause, or andropause.

Since I was not having any sexual dysfunction, he did not run a test for low testosterone. He explained to me that in some cases where the testosterone level was low that hormone replacement therapy could be used. In my case, the advice he gave me was to deal with stress differently and more effectively. I was able to do this by getting involved with a music group at my church. It helped work off stress in practice sessions and performing on Sundays.

Additionally my doctor suggested a low-calorie, low-carb diet. You know, the kind with fewer hamburgers and fries and more fish and veggies. This I did to some degree. Included in his advice was more exercise, less alcohol and coffee and more water. I admit to taking some of this on advisement, though I know it's better to do it religiously.

Along with irritability and lack of patience I experienced a drastic change in my emotional state. I found myself crying at movies, at church sermons, and even when some songs were sung. My capacity for empathy and caring which had long been hidden came to the surface in an embarrassing rush. There can be nothing more disconcerting than for a grown man than to find himself in tears in public.

I have been fortunate in one way; I haven't experienced a diminished libido, both a blessing and a curse as I grow older. Still I have had the sweats on occasion and muscle fatigue. How much of this is just getting older as opposed to Male Menopause I can't say for sure.

I had occasion to talk with men in their 60s, 70s and 80s during this period and I asked them about the emotionality. While each told me they'd experienced some changes, all were different in intensity. Their advice to me being, enjoy my newfound sensitivity. It has taken me several years just to get used to it, much less enjoy it.

The good news is that if you recognize the symptoms in yourself you can work to combat them. If you find yourself with a number of the symptoms, especially reduced libido, its best to see your doctor. He can run a simple test to determine your testosterone level. In addition, think about how much stress you're under and how you can minimize or eliminate it. Last; your diet, exercise, alcohol and coffee intake need examination. Make changes where necessary and follow your doctor's advice.