Living Well for Tomorrow

The term “male menopause” is often used in a joking way, sometimes as a dismissive substitute for a “midlife crisis”.  But while men do not face the end of fertility in midlife as women do, they too undergo important physical and hormonal changes too.  Med should not take male menopause-sometimes called andropause-lightly.  During male menopause, sex drive may weaken, anxiety may increase, and depression and moodiness may accompany a sense of failure.  These symptoms can occur because of falling levels of testosterone.  Men’s testosterone levels begin to decline by the age of forty-earlier in some cases-and this may cause a loss of sexual desire, mood swings, and irritability, and may even increase the risk of heart disease.  If low testosterone levels are a problem, testosterone replacement therapy may be prescribed.  Before a man makes a decision about testosterone replacement, he should undergo a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test to look for signs of prostate cancer, and he should have a frank discussion with his physician about potential side effects.  It is advisable also to check DHEA and estrogen levels (estrogen is a male as well as a female hormone) so that if hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is needed, it can be tailored to the individual’s particular needs.

Supplements can help as they deal with some of the uncomfortable features of moving from one period of their lives to another.  Check with health care provider before starting any regiment.