: Male Menopause; Signs And Symptoms
: Male menopause also known as andropause refers to the gradual decline in a man’s testosterone levels. Testosterone is the male sex hormone that creates and releases sperm. It initiates sex drive and also provides muscular strength. Not all men go through andropause. In most males, the hormone levels tend to be at the peak at around the age of 15 to 18. The hormone levels in men usually begin to drop slowly when they are in their mid or late 20s. Normally the testosterone levels remain healthy but may significantly reduce when a man is about 40. By age 50, half of the men will experience a significant drop in testosterone levels.Male menopause occurs naturally although sometimes it can be triggered by an illness, depression, obesity or dementia. Diseases that affect the heart and the lungs seem to have an effect on the production of testosterone. Men who have suffered from an autoimmune disease or cancer generally seem to have low testosterone levels.This condition in males is slightly different from the one in females. While estrogen levels decrease and then disappear causing complete loss of fertility in women, men never completely lose their fertility during andropause. Testosterone and sperms will continue to be produced allowing men to have children even when they are well into their 80s.Symptoms of this condition are similar to those in women and therefore men will also experience hot flashes, night sweats and fatigue. They will also experience mood swings, irritability and depression. Although testosterone replacement therapy can help during male menopause, it can lead to some side effects. It can for example worsen prostate cancer.
Tags: 
