The Symptoms Of Male Menopause

Male menopause..what are some of the behavioral symptoms?

I'd also like to know if it can include men from other cultures, or is it a "western" concept. I'm trying to understand undesirable changes happening with my best friend, so I can not become so upset with his behavior. He is now 43 and I've known him since he was 19. I went through it and I'm gay, but my friend is straight.
Hey! Before this goes any further, I think I should have said "Male mid-life crisis, not Male menopause. Good thorough first answer, though.

Since men do not go through a well-defined period referred to as menopause, some physicians refer to this problem as androgen (testosterone) decline in the aging male. Men do experience a decline in the production of the male hormone testosterone with aging, but this also occurs with some disease states such as diabetes. Along with the decline in testosterone, some men experience symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, depression and sexual problems. The relationship of these symptoms to the decreased testosterone levels is still controversial.

Unlike menopause in women which represents a well-defined period in which hormone production stops completely, male hormone (testosterone) decline is a slower process. The testes, unlike the ovary, does not run out of the substance it needs to make testosterone. A healthy male may be able to make sperm well into his eighties or longer.

However, as a result of disease, subtle changes in the function of the testis may occur as early as 45 to 50 years of age, and more dramatically after the age of 70 in some men.

How Is Male Menopause Diagnosed?

To make the diagnosis, the doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about symptoms. He or she may order other diagnostic tests to rule out any medical problems that may be contributing to the condition. The doctor will then order a series of blood tests which may include several hormone levels, including a blood testosterone level.

Can Male Menopause Be Treated?

If testosterone levels are low, testosterone replacement therapy may help relieve such symptoms as loss of interest in sex (decreased libido), depression and fatigue. But, as with hormone replacement therapy in women, testosterone replacement therapy does have some potential risks and side effects. Replacing testosterone may worsen prostate cancer, for example.

If you or a loved one is considering androgen replacement therapy, talk to a doctor to learn more. Your doctor may also recommend certain lifestyle changes, such as a new diet or exercise program, or other medications, such as an antidepressant, to help with some of the Symptoms Of Male Menopause.

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