How to Cope With Male Menopause and Depression
Author: Andrea Arnold
For years, people have only linked menopause to women. However, studies have found that males experience a similar condition. People often refer to this as a mid-life crisis. Male menopause has been found to have similar symptoms that women experience. Male menopause, also known as andropause, is a condition where male hormones naturally decline. This is also a time of life when many men experience drastic changes in their life, including reordering, career change, or divorce. These events bring physiological and psychological changes that can grow into full-blown depression.
Andropause usually occurs in men at age fifty and above. Some people ask whether andropause is real or just a myth. It is a fact that hormonal decline occurs as a person ages. However, the hormone decreases in men are more gradual than in women's menopause. That is why andropause is medically termed as A.D.A.M or Androgen Decline in Aging Males.
Like women's menopause, andropause in men is characterized by various symptoms. These symptoms can include erectile dysfunction, mood changes, general tiredness, heart palpitations, and night sweats. Palpitations and night sweats happen because the autonomic system of men is overactive responding to their falling testosterone levels. Many men consider erectile dysfunction to be the most important symptom of andropause.
Men often develop feelings of wanting to be closer to family and friends during andropause. In their earlier stages of life, men often focus on money, career, and power, but when andropause strikes, the transitions are clearly seen. Men became more concerned with their family and friends, and often appear as if they regret past attitudes.
Another symptom that is commonly reported is memory loss associated with the aging process. This symptom is typically minor, and does not affect daily functioning like Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.
However, because of the decline in testosterone levels, men who experience male menopause often report problems with depression. This can also cause anxiety and loss of interest in sex.
This is why you should think about getting male menopause treatment in order to alleviate the symptoms. One such treatment is called hormone replacement therapy for men. Usually, this treatment is done for men who have low testosterone levels. However, because of male menopause and the decline of the body's production of testosterone, the testosterone replacement therapy is now done on men who are going through male menopause.
By going through this process when you are going through male menopause, it will significantly decrease the effects of male menopause. You have to consider the fact that testosterone replacement therapy will not cure male menopause. It will just help in alleviating the signs and symptoms associated with low testosterone level and male menopause.
It is important that, before jumping in and get yourself treated with testosterone replacement therapy, you first consult with your doctor. The doctor will determine if you are indeed going through male menopause. By conducting a series of tests, the doctor will determine if your testosterone level has declined. If it has, the doctor will then recommend treatments, such as testosterone replacement therapy.
The doctor will be able to recommend a professional who is able to administer and supervise the treatment. You have to consider the fact that it is necessary for you to have the right dosage of testosterone in order to have maximum effect while getting rid of the side effects.
There are different ways that testosterone replacement therapy is done. There is the injection method, the oral capsules method, the patches method, and also the implant method. Professionals in testosterone replacement therapy will let you choose which method is right for you and which method you are most comfortable with.
Always remember that testosterone replacement therapy should only be done with the supervision of a qualified professional in the field of the testosterone replacement therapy. This is important in order to give you the best effect possible while minimizing or eliminating unwanted side effects.
So, get your life back on track, get rid of depression, and cope with male menopause through testosterone replacement therapy.
About the Author: Andrea Arnold writes about male menopause (andropause) and hormone replacement therapy at Articles Unleashed.
