Andropause??
Ladies, have you noticed the man in your life acting a little out of character? Maybe his libido has changed or his moods are altered. He may even lack energy and motivation. Well, guess what? You aren’t the only one who goes through changes. He can too! Andropause or male menopause can affect men from the ages of 40 to 60 and even as young as 30. It can impact sex drive, athleticism, and even performance at work. It can throw them into a tail spin and if you’re going through the “Change” it can throw you into confused menopausal frustration.
Keep in mind we’re the fortunate ones here. We can talk about what’s happening to us, read one of several books, join understanding support groups and talk to our mom’s about it. Guys aren’t famous for communicating through their angst! Not to say all men can’t talk about their health but not too many are enlightened enough to share fears over erection strength and performance anxiety!
Education is the key to avoiding concern and crisis over the physiological and psychological changes but an understanding partner is just as important. And considering you’re the one reading this, here is the information on what happens to your man during male menopause.
Andropause is a medically recognized condition related to aging and lower serum levels of testosterone. Starting as around 40, testosterone production starts decreasing and production of sex binding hormone globulin (SBGH) can start increasing. SBGH makes testosterone unavailable for the body to use. As levels of bio-available testosterone decrease organs that require it can’t function properly, triggering changes.
The result of low bio-available testosterone includes:
Decreased sex drive
Decrease in muscle mass and loss of muscle strength
Decrease in endurance
Loss of height
Loss of bone
Increase in body fat upper and central body
Decrease in energy
Mood swings
Changes in behaviour
Fatigue, especially falling asleep after dinner
Lack of enjoyment in work or life
Feeling of sadness or
Changes in work performance
Though 40 is the age when men’s testosterone levels first start to decrease, by the age of 50 there is a significant reduction in the levels of bio-available testosterone.
The symptoms men experience may not be life-threatening. However, dealing with the emotional aspect of a decreased sex drive and lowered athleticism, for many men, is worse, creating its own symptom picture. According to Jed Diamond, author of Male Menopause this “Second Adulthood” needs to be approached from a different perspective.
So ladies, encourage those men of yours to change some of their old ideas and grasp some new ones. Rather than considering sexual performance, suggest they focus on the joy of sexual fulfillment. Encourage them to get involved in the community to learn how to be a respected elder and mentor. Instead of competing at work, they could learn to develop friendships and allies. Most importantly for both of you, find the joy, intimacy, and passion in your life relationship with the partner that knows and loves you best. Rediscover the connection and learn and experience adventures together well into your 70s, 80s, and 90s. Andropause, like menopause does not have to mark an ending but rather a beginning of the greatest adventure of all.