Andropause (Male Menopause)

Andropause (Male menopause)

What it is?

Menopause, or more precisely, the menopausal period, during which age-related physiological changes in the body occur, is a natural stage in the life of every person - both men and women. The only difference is that in men this restructuring usually proceeds more smoothly and begins somewhat later than in women - that is, at 50-60 years. During this period, due to a decrease in the level of the main male hormone - testosterone - there is a gradual transition from puberty to the decline of sexual function.

Why does this happen?

As a man ages, natural changes occur in one of the most important parts of the brain - the hypothalamus, which regulates the activity of the main endocrine gland - the pituitary gland. As a result, the production of hormones by the pituitary gland that stimulate the activity of the male gonads - the testicles - is disrupted. At the same time, age-related changes are observed in the testicles themselves: their tissue is gradually partially replaced by connective and fatty tissue. All this taken together leads to a decrease in the production of testosterone by the testicles.

What happens?

Usually in men, the manifestations of menopause are not very noticeable and gradually merge with the signs of old age. However, two out of ten males may begin to complain of a feeling of “hot flashes”, accompanied by a feeling of heat, sweating, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), a feeling of shortness of breath, dizziness, aching pain in the left side of the chest, especially in stressful situations.

For most men, the critical age occurs between 50 and 55 years (according to some data, even much earlier). This is a period when a man begins to suffer from a feeling of inferiority due to weakening of the erection of the penis, and constant focus on this circumstance only aggravates the situation and can turn into a disease, sometimes with severe psychoneurotic consequences.

Sexual dysfunction is observed in 80 percent of men in the form of decreased desire and potency. This, in turn, manifests itself in weakened erections, premature ejaculation and “erased” orgasm. Along with this, sperm production also decreases.

What should you do?

In principle, there is no reason to perceive hormonal changes as a disease. In men it usually happens very smoothly. In addition, in parallel with the extinction of the activity of the gonads, special internal mechanisms come into play, which ensures the body’s gradual adaptation to the changes taking place.

However, since there is a risk of exacerbation of existing diseases, doctors strongly advise all men over forty to visit an andrologist and endocrinologist from time to time for a preventive examination, and if they feel painful changes in their body, urgently seek qualified help.

Since decreased testosterone production is a risk factor for the development of prostate adenoma, and therefore prostate cancer, it is necessary to regularly consult a urologist for examination.