Andropause or Man-o-pause: Does it really exist?

Is your man over 40 years of age and been suffering from fatigue, depression, weight gain, hair loss and blaming it on “mid-life crisis”? Think again, researchers have long realized that these symptoms and some more could be a result of Andropause/ Male menopause or rather MAN-o-pause, which is a result of a gradual drop in the levels of testosterone in the body. A low level of testosterone in men can lead to:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Loss of muscle mass
• Weight gain
• Reduced libido
• Premature aging
• Hair loss
• Breast enlargement (Gynecomastia )
• Depression, irritability, fatigue
• Mood Swings

Though this condition is known to those in the medical profession since the 1940’s, not many men are aware of this condition and generally think that age is finally catching up with them when they experience these symptoms.

Many experts dismiss Andropause as just a myth as the decrease in testosterone occurs over a period of many years which is unlike women who experience a sudden decrease in the reproductive hormones.Testosterone  levels tend to decrease on an average by 1% right through adulthood and this is the reason why men find rather low levels of the hormone when they reach their 40-50’s.

Like the controversial Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in women, the testosterone replacement therapy does have its own risks mainly worsening prostate cancer(which is of major concern among men). Most physicians feel that the safest way to approach Andropause is to make sensible lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly which can help in increasing the muscle mass and also strength.

So the next time you hear the man in your life complain about putting on weight-take charge and put him on a diet and exercise regime!