Male menopause - menopause in men - is also called andropause. In this age-related condition, there is a decrease in testosterone levels, so men's libido decreases and sexual performance deteriorates.
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Male menopause is the most common term for andropause. It describes age-related changes in male hormone levels. This same group of symptoms is also known as testosterone deficiency, androgen deficiency and late-onset hypogonadism.
Causes and timing of andropause
The content of the article
Male menopause involves a decrease in testosterone production in men aged 50 years and older. The condition is often associated with hypogonadism - testicular failure, accompanied by low levels of sex hormones and clinical manifestations characteristic of organic testicular pathology.
Testosterone in men is produced in the testicles. It is this hormone that determines sexual activity. It also stimulates changes during puberty, influences mental and physical energy, maintains muscle mass, regulates the ability to act courageously (fearlessness, temper) and other key evolutionary characteristics.
A man's testosterone level changes several times during his life: before puberty it is low, then the concentration of the hormone gradually increases. Signs of normal male development:
- muscle mass growth;
- body hair growth;
- decrease in voice timbre;
- increased sexuality.
With age, testosterone levels begin to decline. According to scientific research, the level of this hormone decreases by an average of 1% per year after 30 years. Some pathologies can lead to an early or sharp decrease in testosterone concentration - in this case, early male menopause occurs.
Treatment of male menopause at any age
It is, of course, impossible to stop the natural age-related changes that occur with every person.
But it is definitely possible to slow them down, make their manifestations less noticeable and noticeable, increase hormone levels again, restore strength, energy, joy of life and pleasure from sexual relations. All this is in your strong male hands. First of all, you should start listening more carefully to your body and noting all the changes that occur to it. There is no need to brush aside minor ailments and problems, blaming everything on age.
Do not hesitate to share them with your loved ones and consult a doctor - this is what will help you avoid severe hormonal imbalance and not face the problems that it entails for as long as possible. You may have to radically change your lifestyle and introduce into it a lot of things that have never been there.
Physical exercise
Many physical exercises cause a surge in testosterone and help increase its levels. This is a good reason to buy a gym membership and start working out regularly, or at least doing simple exercises at home that don’t require special equipment.
To increase the male hormone, a combination of exercises that strengthen the muscles in the pelvic area and aerobic exercise that stimulates the cardiovascular system is ideal. This promotes increased production of the hormone in the testicles and its rapid distribution throughout the body.
The most effective exercises will be the following:
- squats;
- jump squats;
- high knee steps;
- burpees;
- lunges;
- "bicycle" lying down;
- gluteal bridge;
- spreading and bringing together the knees;
- rotation of the hips.
Don’t forget about basic exercises – doing them regularly and training well can help boost testosterone production.
Important! Never overdo it! Excessive overtraining will have the opposite effect and will only make your symptoms worse.
Proper nutrition
At the first signs of andropause, you need to think about your diet and, if it is far from healthy, you will have to radically change it. Start eating a proper, varied diet - this is very important for normal testosterone production .
In order to always have enough hormones, it is important to get a sufficient amount of complete protein, vitamins B, E, C, D, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium. Don't be afraid of cholesterol - it is the main raw material for testosterone! Don't forget about healthy fats, they also play a big role in hormone production.
Follow the standard principles of proper nutrition: eat enough fish and seafood. Be sure to include fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs and nuts in your diet.
Introduce into your diet foods that enhance the production of male hormones - celery, parsnips, parsley root, dill. Season your food with turmeric, garlic, onion, cardamom.
Of course, you will have to give up fast carbohydrates and sugar . It is better to reduce the consumption of butter, mayonnaise, sausages, sweets and flour products as much as possible. Excessive consumption of such foods leads to obesity, and fat promotes the production of female hormones. In addition, as soon as a man eats a product high in sugar or refined carbohydrates, the level of sugar and insulin in the blood increases, and testosterone, on the contrary, decreases.
Attention! Coffee has approximately the same effect - after each cup, testosterone levels decrease. This does not happen for long, but if you drink several cups a day, you can seriously reduce the level of the male hormone.
Folk recipes
Traditional methods also help men, because problems with potency have always existed, and once upon a time people were also looking for effective methods to combat them.
Parsnips
Onion. In the fight against male menopause, use ordinary onions. It has amazing properties - it increases sexual desire, stimulates the sex glands and sperm production. Eat fresh onions daily. You can also prepare an infusion by pouring 3-4 finely chopped onions with half a liter of warm water. You need to drink the drink 3 times a day, 100 grams.
Garlic. It should also be consumed fresh daily. You can also buy garlic tincture at the pharmacy and drink 2-3 times a day, 25 drops dissolved in a small amount of water.
Parsnip seed. This plant also helps to increase sexual desire. For infusion you need to mix 5 tbsp. spoons of root vegetables with the same amount of sugar and pour half a liter of boiling water. After boiling for 15 minutes, leave to infuse for 8 hours. After this, drink a tablespoon 3 times a day before meals.
Massages from specialists
Constant fatigue and stress negatively affect testosterone production, so look for something that will help you relax and unwind.
One of the best options is a massage from a specialist. Regular visits to a massage therapist will help alleviate many of the symptoms of menopause - both psychological and physiological. Massage of intimate areas, for example, massage of the testicles, will also help in the fight against hormone deficiency. They are responsible for the production of testosterone, so a light massage will immediately have a positive effect on the production of male hormones. This massage also helps to increase the quantity of sperm and its quality. And blood flow to the genitals will improve the quality of erection.
Cold and hot shower
Another way to increase testosterone levels is to regularly take a contrast shower. Experienced athletes are well aware of this secret, and many of them actively practice cold showers and cold baths in the morning.
Alternating cold and hot water will help not only in the production of the hormone, but also in mitigating the symptoms of menopause. The procedure tones the skin and the whole body, gives a boost of vigor and energy, relieves fatigue, drowsiness and apathy.
Testosterone-based medications
To increase the male hormone, it will take a lot of time and effort, so many who want to achieve a quick effect use pharmaceutical medications based on testosterone. You should not follow the recommendations of friends or strangers from forums on the Internet. Only a doctor can prescribe the correct medication, and it is he who should be contacted first to find out what means will help raise the level of the male hormone.
The most common drugs:
- Andriol is a source of testosterone, administered orally.
- Tamoxifen – blocks the action of estrogen (the main enemy of testosterone).
- Tribestan is a natural remedy with a plant base. Promotes the production of male hormones, increases endurance, and helps the growth of muscle mass.
- Impaza – normalizes and stimulates potency.
Remember! You can take any medications, even seemingly harmless ones, only after consulting a doctor.
Vitamin complexes
During the period of age-related androgen deficiency, it is especially important to receive the required amount of vitamins and nutrients. It’s not always possible to get them from food, so pay attention to vitamin complexes for men. For normal testosterone production, you need vitamins C, D, E, B. By choosing a vitamin complex with the help of a doctor, you can easily make up for the lack of all the necessary substances.
Swimming
Symptoms of androgen deficiency appear earlier and more strongly in inactive and sedentary people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Accordingly, to prevent menopause from manifesting itself in full force, you need to bring as much activity into your life as possible. Gym training can be supplemented and diversified with sports such as swimming. This is a fairly energy-intensive type of activity that allows you to use the whole body and actively burn fat. Swimming at least once a week will help overcome chronic fatigue and apathy and help increase the production of hormones.
Yoga
Many scientific studies prove that yoga has a positive effect on testosterone production. Daily exercises lasting at least 15 minutes will give a noticeable effect within a couple of weeks.
The exercises performed during the practice help you relax, calm down, and forget about problems and stress. The level of cortisol (stress hormone) decreases, but it is the main enemy of testosterone.
In addition, many exercises that involve the back and bend the spine force the adrenal glands to work harder, and this leads to the release of testosterone.
Quitting smoking, alcohol
It is obvious that smoking and addiction to alcohol only aggravate physiological male problems.
In order for menopause to proceed gently and unnoticed, you will have to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, and giving up smoking and alcohol is one of its main principles. Make an effort and give up bad habits so that you can continue to enjoy the other joys of life for as long as possible.
Quality rest
Healthy sleep and proper rest are one of the main conditions for successfully combating male menopause.
Exhausting work, family problems, constant lack of sleep and lack of rest are extremely stressful, and under such conditions the endocrine system will never work normally. Try to rebuild your life and make sure that there is always time for a full 8 hours of sleep and quality rest. Allow yourself to relax and unwind. Try meditating. Do more often what makes you happy. Go to football or fishing without any remorse. Remember, stress is your biggest enemy!
If the male menopause has not yet touched you, this does not mean that you have managed to avoid it. But you have an excellent opportunity to prepare and meet it fully armed. Start living a healthy lifestyle as early as possible, avoid stress, have an active sex life - and the signs of age-related androgen deficiency will not bother you until your old age.
Symptoms of menopause in men
Decreased levels of the hormone testosterone, which makes a man a man, cause many physical, sexual and psychological problems. For example, it can lead to age-related depression, decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, and erectile dysfunction.
The main symptoms of andropause:
- low energy;
- depression, bad mood, despondency;
- decreased motivation for action and self-confidence;
- difficulty concentrating;
- insomnia, poor sleep;
- increase in fat in the abdominal area;
- decreased muscle mass and feeling of physical weakness;
- gynecomastia - enlargement of the mammary glands;
- decreased bone density;
- erectile disfunction;
- deterioration of libido;
- infertility.
In addition, a man may notice swelling of the breasts, a decrease in the size of the testicles, loss of body hair, outbursts of scandalousness or causeless discontent. Low testosterone levels associated with male menopause are also strongly associated with osteoporosis. This is a condition in which the bones become weak and brittle. These symptoms are rare and are felt at the same age as women entering menopause - 50-55 years.
How to recognize the onset of menopause - symptoms
There are many signs of the onset of menopause. Sometimes they appear separately, but sometimes men have to endure a whole complex of symptoms.
Early signs
Symptoms and signs of the onset of male and female menopause are largely similar. Against the background of a decrease in hormones in the blood, hot flashes occur (feelings of heat, redness of the hands and face), increased sweating, and fluid retention in the body begins.
Shortness of breath, weakness, insomnia, deterioration of memory and attention appear . Almost all men at the onset of menopause experience a decrease in libido , erectile dysfunction, and accelerated ejaculation.
Psychological discomfort
When menopause occurs, a man’s psychology and mentality can often change, and their behavioral stereotypes become different. This is due to the fact that a person is not able to normally accept the changes occurring in his body. A depressed emotional state is combined with forgetfulness, decreased flexibility of thinking, increased irritability, and nervousness .
A person becomes intolerant of criticism, does not adequately perceive objections, and strives to adjust everyone around him to himself. It may be the other way around, when a man is constantly in a bad mood, stops experiencing pleasure from what he was doing before - all this leads to a lack of interest in life and provokes the development of depression.
Sexual disorders
The most striking symptom of menopause in men after 40 years of age is the development of erectile dysfunction. Sexual desire decreases and ejaculation is impaired. All this leads to qualitative changes in sexual life. At the same time, there is a direct dependence of the preservation of male capabilities on the physiological state of his body.
Therefore, there is no need to both overload the body with unnecessarily prolonged sexual contacts and practice complete abstinence - this does not lead to anything good. Normal sex life must be maintained; this is the main condition for the continuation of the standard functioning of the genital organs.
Physiological andropause
Andropause in men is often expressed by the following physical changes:
- the prostate increases in size
- Some muscle tissue turns into fat
- bone density decreases
- the proportions of the figure change, it either becomes the so-called “female type”, when fat accumulates on the waist and hips, or a “beer belly” grows
- hair growth decreases
- joint pain appears
- your facial muscles may suddenly go numb for a short period of time
Pathological menopause
The menopausal period in a man can be practically asymptomatic, or it can be accompanied by signs of serious pathology. Testosterone deficiency, the main cause of andropause, occurs pathologically in every fifth man. Characterized by changes in the cardiovascular system, manifests itself in three forms:
- Angina pectoris. Accompanied by pain and heaviness behind the sternum;
- Hypertensive. The main symptom is surges in blood pressure;
- Vasoregular asthenic. Expressed in weakness and fatigue due to poor blood supply.
Diagnosis of male menopause
It is easy to detect testosterone levels - just take a blood test for testosterone. If the deviations are not large, you don’t have to worry and continue monitoring your health. With a further decrease in hormone levels, the urologist will prescribe simple treatment.
As a rule of thumb, the biggest barrier to treating male menopause may be talking to your doctor about your symptoms. The doctor should ask too intimate questions regarding his personal life, which many men are embarrassed to answer.
Prevention measures
To prevent early menopause, men should adhere to the following rules:
- proper nutrition with a decrease in fat intake, an increase in vitamins, minerals, microelements in the diet;
- playing sports according to age;
- regular sex life;
- annual visits to doctors to monitor health status;
- absence of nervous tension;
- control over your own weight.
The application of these rules will not completely eliminate the risk of menopause in men. They will only slow down the natural aging process.
Treatment of andropause
These symptoms can be relieved. The urologist recommends lifestyle changes, mild antidepressants, and hormonal therapy to replenish the missing testosterone.
First of all, of course, you will need to switch to a healthy lifestyle: you will have to switch to a normal diet, increase the number of walks, get enough sleep and be minimally nervous. If you cannot cope with depression, your doctor will prescribe relaxation medications.
The most effective way to treat male menopause is hormone replacement therapy. This technique is used in all European countries. Based on the test results, the doctor calculates the missing amount of testosterone and prescribes a synthetic analogue.
Before hormone replacement therapy, you need to undergo a number of additional tests and studies, since the technique has contraindications. In particular, testosterone is contraindicated in prostate cancer, as it causes cell growth and rapid replacement.
You will need to go through:
- Ultrasound of male organs - ultrasound of the prostate, ultrasound of the testicles;
- Ultrasound of the pelvis;
- Smear for infections;
- Blood test for tumor markers.
Etiology
Male menopause is a purely age-related category, which in the vast majority of situations develops in people over 50 years of age. However, there are several negative factors that determine the early onset of andropause, namely starting from the age of 35.
Thus, the main causes of this disorder are considered to be:
- whether a person has any stage of obesity;
- underdevelopment or acquired dysfunction of the gonads;
- the course of diabetes mellitus or hypertension;
- physical inactivity or lack of physical activity in a man’s life;
- long-term addiction to bad habits;
- the presence in the medical history of severe chronic pathologies, in particular pyelonephritis;
- inflammatory damage to the genital organs, for example, prostatitis;
- cardiac ischemia;
- HIV infection and other immunodeficiency conditions;
- endocrinological pathologies, namely hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis. In the first case, there is insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones, and in the second, an excess of such hormones;
- a wide range of diseases affecting the testicles;
- diseases of the pelvic organs;
- atherosclerosis;
- radiation exposure of the body;
- previous surgical operation on the organs of the male reproductive system or in the hypothalamus;
- acute intoxication of the body, for example, alcoholic beverages or chemicals;
- irregular sex life or, conversely, promiscuous sexual relations;
- prolonged exposure to stressful situations or psycho-emotional exhaustion;
- uncontrolled use of medications such as steroid hormones or antibiotics;
- benign or malignant tumors localized in the testicles or hypothalamic-pituitary system.
In addition, not the least important factor in the early occurrence of menopausal symptoms in males is a factor such as genetic predisposition.
All of the above reasons influence the fact that the answer to the question - at what age does male menopause occur - will be ambiguous. The age category varies from 35 to 80 years.
Where is male menopause treated in St. Petersburg, prices
Such conditions require a special approach, so it is better to be treated in a private clinic. For example, such services in St. Petersburg are offered by the specialized clinic Diana. An experienced urologist works here, you can take tests for hormones and infections, take a spermogram, undergo a comprehensive ultrasound and other diagnostics.
The cost of treatment and examination is low: an appointment with a Urologist will cost 1000 rubles, a comprehensive ultrasound of the pelvis on a new machine with Doppler will cost 1000 rubles, a consultation based on the results of the examination costs only 500 rubles.
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Classification
The only division of the disease suggests the existence of 2 varieties of this condition. Thus it is divided into:
- early - considered as such if it occurs in persons under 40 years of age;
- late - diagnosed most often. In such situations, characteristic symptoms will appear in people over 60 years of age.
Male menopause
Alternate hot and cold showers or baths
the shower water from hot to cool
about 6 times Stay in each water for at least 3 minutes. If you have little time and are in a hurry in the morning, you can start the shower with hot water, and when you lather and start rinsing, change the water to cool.
The advantages are that the method improves blood circulation, promotes the production of hormones and realizes the potential in bed with your beloved.
We have also previously written similar methods for treating male menopause.
Perform exercises for the muscles of the pelvis, abdomen and lower back
You should monitor the tone of the muscles of the pelvis, abdomen and lower back.
Regular exercise of these areas increases male strength and improves blood circulation to the penis.
Examples of exercises:
- Do squats . Regular squats every day, for example, in the morning.
- Lying on your back, with your hands on your waist, you begin to lift your body 45 degrees from the ground and hold this position for as long as you can. Repeat at least 10 times.
- Again, lie on your stomach, hands behind the back of your head. You begin to raise your upper body and maintain this position as long as you can. Then slowly return to the starting position. Do this about 10 times.
- leg up in turn , hold and rotate it in this position for as long as possible. Try not to bend your knees; draw circles in the air with your feet. The groin muscles are stretched. Repeat 10 times.
- Lying on your back, lean on your elbows to lift your pelvis up. To do this, also bend your knees and rest your feet completely on the floor. Hands are turned with palms on the floor. Now that your pelvis is hanging in the air, you begin to swing and move it back and forth without touching the floor with your buttocks. We do this until pleasant fatigue appears in the pelvic area.
In another publication, we talked about various exercises to improve potency.
If you devote time to these exercises for at least 10-15 minutes every day now, then even after 50 years, signs of menopause in a man may still not be observed.
Similar advice from a video on the topic was also given here.
Tension and relaxation of specific muscles
- You need to squeeze the muscles in the buttock area.
- Tighten the buns so that they are closed. It looks like the perineum is being pulled in.
- Contractions can be either short or long with a delay.
- The warmth that appears in this area will be a sign that the exercise is being performed correctly.
- This warm-up massages your prostate and maintains the tone of the pelvic muscles.
Constant training of these special muscles will remove your worries about whether there is a male menopause, and whether young guys have it.
Reviews
According to male reviews, men generally tolerate menopause easily. When signs of erectile dysfunction appear, dietary supplements are of great help to many. Taking into account the specifics of natural preparations, positive responses concern different dietary supplements that are most suitable for each specific organism.
Pharmacy medications help with significant severity of sexual dysfunction. Viagra and its analogues remain the leading pills for ensuring an erection when the ability to achieve it is lost. Vitamin complexes and herbal decoctions help strengthen the body and improve overall well-being.
Know the correct body position during intimacy
- During intimacy, use a position where you are not lying.
- That is, you can either stand on your feet or stand on your knees, the main thing is that your body is positioned vertically.
- The advantage of this position is that blood will not be drawn back from the genital organ.
- It will be better to maintain his elevated state. We also talked about other similar techniques in an article on how to quickly increase potency at home.
We also wrote about other similar techniques from the video here.
Preventive methods
How to prevent the disease, avoid its onset in the early stages or suspicions:
- Proper healthy eating without fatty foods. Less smoked and salty food.
- Physical education, sports and dosed exercises.
- Sexual activity with the woman you love.
- Periodic visits and examinations by a doctor for prevention.
- Breathe more fresh air, be in nature.
- Jogging.
- Swimming and pool.
- Multivitamin complex.
- Yoga classes.
- Crossfit exercises.
- Massage treatments.
- Less stressful situations, give yourself more right to rest and recovery.
- Wear underwear that gives you more freedom and does not restrict your genitals.
- Maintaining a sleep schedule.
- Quitting bad habits (smoking and others).
That's all. Now you know a lot about the treatment and symptoms of male menopause both before and after 45 years of age.
We wish you good health!
Why testosterone is important
The role and functions of the hormone testosterone in the body:
- Building muscle mass.
- Burning excess fat.
- Stimulates bone strength.
- Full functioning of the genital organs activates potency and attraction to women. The site also discussed how a lack of testosterone will affect it here.
- Development of secondary sexual characteristics (stubble and hair, timbre of voice, male-type skeletal structure).
- Promotes body growth and maintains metabolism.