We constantly hear about female menopause and the problems it causes women in their daily lives. But what about men? What do we know about the andropauseAre we really aware that our testosterone is decreasing and can affect us sexually, physically and psychologically?
Until recently it was ignored, and even doubted, its existence, but the andropause It exists and its symptoms are there.
It is no coincidence that we have spent so many years ignoring andropause. There are two phenomena that cause it:
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- How little we men like to talk about and acknowledge that our sexual health has declined with age or that we are feeling “older”…
- And how much it relaxes us to know that men can be fathers until the end of our days.
What is andropause?
Andropause is, neither more nor less, than the progressive disappearance of the activity of the sexual glands of man. Or what is the same: the period of a man's life in which his testosterone production begins to decline.
The term andropause, although it is the most widespread, is not the most appropriate. It is a hypogonadism Late-onset. This refers to the decreased testosterone in men and its age-related consequences, according to Dr. Francisco Cabello Santamaría, president of the International Academy of Medical Sexology, director of the Andalusian Institute of Sexology and Psychology and Vice President of the Spanish Association of Andrology.
Although the testosterone deficiency syndrome that can appear during andropause is not a matter of life or death, it is can drastically affect the quality of life of menOf course, it can also affect your relationship with your loved ones.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that all men over 35 years of age consider Check your testosterone levels at a specialized center. We remind you that at Doctor T Clinics, we also offer you a online testosterone test It will not take you more than 5 minutes to complete and, although it does not provide a diagnosis, it can give you an idea of the probability that you have of suffering from this syndrome.
Why does testosterone decrease in men?
La testosterone, due to a natural process in man, begins to decrease from the age of 35, and depending on genetic inheritance, lifestyle habits (including sexual ones) and previous testosterone level, the symptoms of the disease appear with more or less force. andropause.
In addition, there are external factors that influence the testosterone productionFor example, continued stress has a negative impact, as do unhealthy lifestyle habits: smoking, excessive drinking, etc.
Sleeping with a baby in the room has also been shown to decrease a man's hormone production, and sleeping with an ovulating woman increases testosterone levels.
Apart from the testosterone replacement therapy that medicine offers, there are some habits that help in some way with the production of testosterone such as: exercising, ingesting vitamin D, zinc, reducing sugar consumption, having an active sexual life, etc.
Andropause symptoms in men
The American Urological Society states that 40% of men over the age of 55 have symptoms of hypogonadism, alteration associated with diabetes and other chronic diseases. The andropause It is nothing more than a decrease in testosterone in men, which appears with aging when levels begin to decrease. Some of the symptoms of decreased testosterone that are noticeable in men are:
The most relevant symptoms or consequences of this process are:
- Difficulty concentrating, loss of mental agility.
- Insomnia, fatigue.
- Changes in mood, irritability or emotionality.
- Fatigue, loss of muscle mass
- decreased bone density
- Decreased libido, loss of potency or impotence.
- Lack of appetite
- Fatigue and insomnia: if you sleep worse at night, you have trouble falling asleep, you wake up tired, etc.
- Loss of muscle mass: If you exercise but find it difficult to see results, you turn to supplements such as creatine, you no longer lose body fat as easily as before, etc.
- Osteoporosis and decreased bone mineral density
- Abnormal sweating
- Lack of concentration and decreased energy
- Irritability: Decreased testosterone in men can bring with it symptoms that are easily confused with depression or anxiety.
- Reduction in testicular size.
- Less firm erections.
- Loss of sexual appetite.
- The amount of semen is reduced, the intensity of ejaculation decreases.
The latter could be reflected in a poor functioning of the gonads, reducing their size and thus affecting fertility.
What can I do if I start to notice these symptoms?
Dr. Francisco Cabello recommends going to a specialist to perform the appropriate tests, focused on determining the levels of bioavailable testosterone. When it comes to one's well-being and health, there are no taboos.
Learn to identify it
In addition, muscle tension during sexual arousal can be reduced. Testosterone plays a fundamental role in a man's daily life., so much so that this hormone influences many physical, mental, and biochemical functions, acting on bones, muscles, sexual organs, the brain, body and facial hair, etc. Since testosterone affects many tissues, a lack of it can cause many different symptoms. Symptoms depend on the age of onset, the amount of testosterone deficiency, and the duration of the loss that has been occurring.
How to deal with andropause
As pointed out by health professionals Antonio Rodríguez and Carmen Molinos, the ideal way to deal with andropause is with the help of a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Only in this way will you be able to effectively control your health, rule out ailments and get to the bottom of the problem that concerns you in order, of course, to reach a satisfactory solution.
On the other hand, it is worth noting that on the market, there are a large number of supplements that have been promoted as a natural way to increase testosterone levels.
Unfortunately, to date There is no proven natural supplement that can increase testosterone hormone levels..
How to treat the symptoms of andropause?
A man at risk, or who suffers from any of the symptoms described, should go to a specialist doctor and undergo a physical examination, including a complete analysis.
Treatment for Andropause or Hormone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is administered by topical gels, patches, and most commonly, intramuscular injections. TRT is contraindicated in men with erythrocytosis (high percentage of red blood cell volume in the blood).
Changing certain behaviors, or adopting healthy lifestyles, can also help improve testosterone levels.
- Lose weight
- Exercising regularly
- Fight stress
- Get enough sleep
- No smoking or drinking, etc.
Why do Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Once the man begins treatment, he notices the benefits almost immediately:
- Increased libido
- Improved sexual function
- Improved mood
- Increased bone density
- In general, it increases well-being and improves quality of life.
At Doctor T Clinics we are experts in Replacement TherapyWe help men like you every day to recover the best version of themselves. Can we tell you more?
Why the “silence” surrounding andropause should be broken
During their presentation, the health workers have highlighted that Not all men experience the same changes, the same symptoms, or at the same age, so should be treated individually.
In the event that the symptoms of andropause (irritability, weight gain, fatigue, etc.) begin to affect or hinder the development of daily activities, It is advisable to seek professional "multidisciplinary" support«. This would involve a cast of health professionals that would include the family doctor and a Men's Health SpecialistIn addition, it is also advisable to seek psychological support from a professional to overcome this stage if it causes problems.
Molinos and Rodríguez have pointed out the same thing in the imperative need for men to freely dispose of a hormone replacement therapy at your reach to help them achieve adequate testosterone levels to prevent male osteoporosis, and improve sexual, cognitive and physical functions.
The 'silence' makes it difficult to know what happens to men at that time of transition, professionals regret. In addition, andropause covers a much longer period of time than menopause in women..
WE RECOMMEND: The TVE documentary «Hormones gone wild: menopause and andropause» It is a monograph of the program The theme night which addresses from different perspectives the delicate balance in which our bodies maintain the hormones that make us who we are.
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