Attention Men: The Next Menopause Joke May Be on You

Popular menopause joke: Since women go through menopause, do men go through womenopause?

Nope. They go through andropause.

Contrary to popular belief, menopause is not solely the bane of women. Male menopause, called andropause, is a documented medical condition that can affect men as young as age 35. The male hormone, testosterone, which is required for proper male functioning peaks in the late teens and begins to decline when a man enters his 30s. Symptoms of andropause include: mood swings, weight gain, hair loss, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, stress, loss of energy, decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, type 2 diabetes, and man boobs. Estimates from the FDA indicate 4-5 million men in the U.S. suffer from andropause.

Testosterone restoration is one recommended option for treating andropause.  An increase in testosterone levels can lead to improved physical and mental wellness often resulting in weight loss, muscle gain, improved bone density and heart health, and a general better outlook on life.

Comprehensive tests of male hormone levels are essential to detecting imbalances. Testosterone levels can be checked by one’s primary care physician or at clinics specializing in wellness. Treatments for hormonal imbalance include traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Unlike synthetic hormones present in HRT, bio-identical hormones are made to duplicate to your body’s own hormones. In other words, hormones that are identical in molecular structure to the hormones men make in their bodies

HRT and BHRT work for women too. Whatever therapy you choose to use to alleviate the symptoms of menopause make sure to use FDA-approved commercial hormones. It is important to work closely with your physician or clinician to decide the best therapy for you. If your symptoms are bothersome, discuss your options with a physician or other specialist in menopausal health.

Bottom line: male menopause, like female menopause, is no laughing matter. Except for this classic joke with a modern twist:

What’s worse than one man going through menopause? Two men going through menopause.

If you are interested in getting your hormone levels evaluated, give a call to Shefa Wellness Center in Canton at (678) 245-6244.

http://www.shefawellnesscenter.com/