June 30, 2008

Is There Such A Thing As Male Menopause?

by Sarah Trinity

Speak of menopause and by and large the first thoughts that enter your audience's minds are of women in the 45-55 year age range. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, men suffer from menopause just like women do, although their reasons for doing so may vary. In addition, familiarizing yourself with this condition also will help you deal with male menopause's symptoms which differ somewhat from the condition as it is experienced by women.

The symptoms of male menopause have been reported by men as not being quite as severe as the symptoms women undergo during menopause. Andropause, the clinical name for male menopause, has been linked to the testosterone decline in men as they age. Those who go through male menopause often describe symptoms that are similar to those initially described by women going through menopause.

Menopause symptoms usually connected to menopause are hot flashes, sudden and recurring episodes of sweating, tender mammary glands, and also a somewhat unstable libido. Andropause sufferers relate to these symptoms, although severity of the experience is a highly individualized experience. Physicians have found that individuals who take note of the frequency of symptoms and their severity generally seek treatment with higher success rates.

Most men don't feel comfortable chatting about Andropause and may not even know the condition of male menopause exists. Some men notice symptoms and go to the doctor because the symptoms can mimic those associated with kidney or liver disease. Of course, there are thousands of men who notice symptoms and don't seek medical treatment due to a fear of finding out they're ill.

Many people will agree the condition of menopause is quite uncomfortable to deal with. This being true, there has been a resurrection of many herbal medicines that are known to treat the hormonal changes associated with the side effects of menopause. It's important to recognize these herbs will not cure menopause, however they often do a great job of treating and easing the symptoms associated with menopause.

Those interested in taking herbal supplements to help with symptoms of menopause should first talk with their doctor. The reason talking with a doctor or pharmacist is important is because many herbs can be toxic when combined with prescriptions you may already take. Their counteraction can be deadly, so talking with a doctor can help you determine which herbs are best for you in combination with drugs you're already taking on a regular basis.

Male menopause, Andropause, can be treated by doctors with simple testosterone replacement therapy. The testosterone replacement therapy treatment is similar to hormone replacement therapy offered to women with menopause. Men and women have both reported replacement therapy relieves the symptoms of menopause.

Men who are going through male menopause often need to include counseling sessions in their overall treatment plan. This is especially true if the male menopause is causing problems with their libido. With sexual issues being the number one cause of divorce in older couples, finding a way to deal with the issue is vital to many marriages. In addition, men who feel as if they're losing their manhood via menopause may need help via counseling sessions.

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Filed under Health by Sarah Trinity

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