Whenever the topic of menopause comes up, most people regard it as something exclusive to women. That is not the case. ‘The great change’ happens to men too, though there are some differences in the symptoms. Here we’ll look at menopause from the male perspective. We’re going to see how to cope with it and come out the other side with a good quality of life and happy, even if some things will never be quite the same again.

When do men enter menopause?

Menopause isn’t determined by age: it’s determined by sex hormones. In women, it comes when their ovaries stop making estrogen. In men it happens when the amount of testosterone and androgen their testicles produce drops, causing both physical and emotional changes. Men mostly start to experience it in their 40s.

Male menopause vs female menopause

One distinct difference between male and female menopause is that, provided they keep in good health, men’s bodies continue to produce sperm for reproduction. By contrast, once women’s bodies stop producing estrogen, they cannot ovulate and so they are no longer reproductive.

Another difference between how men and women experience menopause is that the symptoms in men aren’t as marked as in women. The change in sex hormones in women can be accurately measured from a blood test. Other expressions of menopause in women such as hot flushes are also clear. Moreover, whereas hormone therapy can be quite effective in women, it makes much less difference in males.

Factors that stimulate male menopause

Aside from age being an important indicator, other factors known to stimulate male menopause include heredity, stress, side effects from certain medications, and lifestyle behaviors such as working hard, not getting enough rest, heavy exercise, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, and others. Various other medical conditions precipitate male menopause such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, thyroid dysfunction, and sleep apnea.

10 signs that a man is entering menopause

1.        Decreased sexual desire and erectile dysfunction

2.        Less strong muscles with consequent reduction of stamina

3.        Bones are less strong and at risk of osteoporosis

4.        Increased fat accumulation in the chest and abdomen as the body burns less fat

5.        Hot flushes

6.        Loss of hair leading to balding

7.        Deterioration of sleep quality

8.        Stress, depression, irritability, mood swings

9.        Lacking motivation to do activities, less self-confidence

10.     Shorter attention span and memory issues

Coping with male menopause

The first thing is to be open-minded and accepting of the changes. Diet is another important factor. You need to make sure you eat foods that are good for you and promote hormone production. Some good examples are egg yolks, pulses, salmon and green leafy vegetables. Try to avoid spicy foods, high-fat foods and sugary beverages. Eat nutritious foods and reduce or refrain from alcohol.

Dietary modifications work best when coupled with focus on keeping the body strong. It’s a good idea to exercise five times a week for at least 30 minutes per session. Another important thing is to mind your emotional and mental health, including practicing positive thinking. Find activities you enjoy, spend time with the family, your partner and friends, as this will help you avoid the stress and depression that loneliness brings.

Krungthai-AXA Life Insurance can find more details on this and many other health topics by visiting KTAXA Health at https://www.krungthai-axa.co.th/th/health-advisories.

References

·       Samitivej Hospital
https://bit.ly/3O7PUdn

·       Pobpad website
https://bit.ly/3mY7Mvn