Women menopause is a term we are all familiar with, however, in fact men also can experience menopause even if they do not experience as often as menopause in women. Menopause in men is not much different from women. Dr.Ayuthinee Singhakowin, Chief Physician of the Diabetes and Endocrine Center, will talk to us about this matter.
Get to Know more about Menopause:
In fact, golden age means the age of success in your career. However, at this age, both physical and mental health will be declining due to the deterioration of the body from getting older as well as the deficiencies of sex hormone which influences the functioning of various organs in human body. This causes various symptoms such as, change in mood, hot flushes, hot and cold at the same time, etc.
Because Hormones Determine Youth
Hormones determine youth in a human body. For women, hormone which plays an important role in their lives is called estrogen. For men, the hormone that affects physical performance and strength, this hormone is called androgen or testosterone, that is created from male hormone. Male hormone will be at their highest levels in their early twenties and slowly declines after the age of 40. As people are getting older, androgen hormones will continue to decrease. This decline in hormones affects various changes in menopause.
Male Menopause Symptoms can be divided into:
Physical Symptoms: He will feel tried, sometime feel hot and after that feel cold at the same period, sweat a lot, less energy, unwell- appetite, body aches without any reason, unenergetic, muscle reduce in size, non-strength.
Mental Symptoms: He will feel bored, no motivation to do anything, change in his life-goal, feel sad, lonely, stressed, easily irritated, easily angry, lethargic and complaining.
Sexual Health: Some men encountered decreased sexual performance and libido or no sexual feelings. Some men also experience symptoms of erectile dysfunction. This is because testosterone is what stimulates sex drive. When the level of the male hormone decreases, he is not aroused to have sex and his penis cannot become erect.
Bones and muscles: The result of a lack of testosterone is bone thinning which is led to osteoporosis, similar to that seen in menopausal women. Moreover, the muscles gradually shrink in size and muscle strength decreases.
Factors that cause menopause to occur earlier than usual: Factors that cause menopausal symptoms to occur earlier than normal. It is a matter of heredity, hard work, insufficient rest, stress, obesity, drinking, smoking, chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, liver disease, and kidney failure.
Treatment of symptoms in menopausal men depends on the symptoms that occur in each individual. The first step is to adjust inappropriate behaviors such as drinking, smoking, and avoiding stress as well as to get enough rest. Exercise regularly, some patients may need to use medical treatment as well, namely the use of testosterone supplements. There are various types: it can be eaten, injected, and gel applied to the skin. Patients should always consult their doctor first before using the drug. There has been side-effect which is dangerous, if the patient takes the drug inappropriate way.
All men should prepare themselves to handle with the change that will happen, sooner or later. It should begin with take good care of their health to be always strong, have a good discipline in life, take enough rest for at least 6-8 hours per night, non-smoking and drinking. To eat nutritious food with the right proportions, reduce sugar and fatty foods to a minimum quantity, avoids stress and exercise regularly. The old man should see the doctor for regular health check-ups in order to quickly get treatment from the early stages of disease such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, enlarged prostate, etc.
“Menopause is natural condition which everything will deteriorate when the age is changed. There are things that will help us adapt well: stay healthy, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, and eat the right amount of food. We can’t beat it but we can manage our lives to perfection”. This is closing speech of Dr.Ayuthinee Singhakowin, the Chief Physician of Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital.
