Menopause in men - causes, symptoms and treatment

To date, it has been established that male menopause or andropause does exist and is a normal physiological phenomenon. The patient notices the first changes after 50 years, but cases of an earlier menopause are also known.

It is known that andropause is caused by a decrease in the secretion of the sex hormone testosterone, which affects potency and libido, psychological mood and general well-being.

A man over the age of 45 should understand why this condition occurs, what symptoms indicate it and what can be done to improve the quality of life.

Why does male menopause occur

First of all, changes in the reproductive and reproductive system of men are due to age. Low levels of testosterone and other male hormones (androgens) lead to a decrease in the quality and quantity of sperm. And our body is arranged wisely - if it is not possible to conceive a child, then potency and sex drive gradually fade, an erection disappears. In rare cases, the mammary glands (gynecomastia) may even enlarge.

Studies by doctors demonstrate that from the age of 30, androgen secretion is reduced and reaches 40% by the age of 40. However, impaired reproductive function before the age of 45 years is considered an early menopause and requires medical intervention. The late form develops only after 60 years.

Non-physiological reasons are associated with a number of circumstances:

1. Systemic diseases, surgical interventions on the genitals. An infection or inflammation of the testicles (for example, chronic prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis, etc.), as well as surgical treatment, can alter the structure of the organ, cause dysfunction and bring about the onset of male menopause. Surgical castration is also the cause of early andropause.
2. Injuries to the reproductive system. Mechanical damage to the testicles or penis is one of the reasons for the approach of male menopause.
3. Conservative drug therapy. Some drugs seriously “hit” a man’s reproductive function. For example, drugs for the treatment of benign and malignant tumors, genetic diseases, prostatitis and other pathologies of the reproductive system have side effects in the form of early andropause. Sometimes the reason for such a medical menopause is the mistake of a doctor who did not select the right drug or dosage in accordance with the age and individual characteristics of the patient's body.
4. External factors (radiation exposure, heavy loads, work in hazardous industries, poisoning with toxins). All these processes in one way or another affect the endocrine system and disrupt the secretion of sex hormones.
5. Bad habits. According to some reports, chronic alcoholism and long-term smoking indirectly approximate male menopause, inhibit reproductive function and potency.
6. Lack of exercise. Lack of healthy exercise and sedentary work lead to congestion in the pelvic organs. The blood supply to the testicles and penis is impaired, as a result of which reproductive function suffers.

Symptoms of andropause

In many men, early manifestations are absent or poorly expressed, due to which they are attributed to other diseases. Then the clinical signs become more visible and relate to various areas of life.

Symptoms of andropause (sexual life):

1. Libido decreases, a man less often wants to enter into an intimate relationship or completely loses interest in sex.
2. An erection occurs slowly, the penis may not reach a full erect state.
3. Ejaculation may be delayed or premature for an extended period.
4. Changes in the quality and motility of sperm, which reproductive function is inhibited (male factor infertility).
5. Lack of pleasure after ejaculation, fatigue and weakness after intercourse.

Signs of andropause are also noted in the general physiology of men:

1. The prostate gland can grow and become inflamed, which leads to impaired urination (cystitis, slowing down the process, discomfort and burning sensation when the bladder is empty).
2. Atrophy of muscle tissue and its degeneration into adipose. It is accompanied by active weight gain and a decrease in strength indicators.
3. Decreased bone density, causing the spine to shrink and decrease growth.
4. The imbalance of the figure: the man becomes stooped, the skin on his hands sags, the so-called "beer belly" appears.
5. Pain occurs in the joints, muscles and spine. It is also possible numbness of the limbs, muscles of the shoulder girdle.
6. Pathologies of the nervous and cardiovascular system are observed: changes in pressure, dizziness, heart rhythm disturbance, etc.
7. Violations of thermoregulation, sweating, hot flashes and other pathologies of the vegetative system.
8. A feeling of sudden lack of air, which is accompanied by dizziness.
9. Weakness, lethargy, decreased performance, decreased concentration, memory impairment.
10. Mental disorders: depression or apathy, nervousness, aggression, sleep disturbances (chronic insomnia), panic attacks.

Of course, the patient does not observe all the changes at the same time. But if at least 4-7 signs are noted, then you need to contact an andrologist or urologist to exclude menopause.

Diagnostics and research methods

Age-related andropause can be disguised as a disease of the genitourinary system, common pathologies, central nervous system disorders. That is why differential diagnosis is needed in a number of highly specialized doctors: cardiologist, endocrinologist, psychiatrist, neurologist, urologist, etc. Experts collect an anamnesis and prescribe studies that will help identify the true cause of the symptoms.

First of all, to detect a deficiency of androgen hormones, the doctor prescribes a determination of the level of total and biologically active testosterone in blood plasma. Other hormones are also being investigated: globulin, binding steroids, FSH, prolactin, LH, etc.

Further, the andrologist, using a special scale, assesses the degree of erectile dysfunction and decreased libido, obstruction of the lower urinary tract, prescribes a spermogram.

To exclude diseases of the genitourinary system, the following studies are prescribed:

• rectal palpation of the prostate gland;
• Ultrasound of the genital organs (prostate, scrotum, ultrasound of the vessels of the penis);
• PSA level in the blood (tumor marker).

For the differential diagnosis of other disorders, examinations are used:

• ECG, echocardiography;
• Ultrasound of the vessels of the neck and head;
• the level of glucose, lipoproteins, plasma cholesterol;
• level of thyroid-stimulating hormones in the blood;
• study of bone metabolism, etc.

Andropause treatment regimen

Since the process is physiological and irreversible, therapy will be aimed at eliminating disturbing symptoms and improving the quality of life of the patient, including sexual.

Treatment regimens can be conservative (drugs, hormone replacement therapy) and non-pharmacological:

• homeopathy;
• herbal medicine, the intake of dietary supplements and biological additives;
• consultation with a psychologist.

And also physiotherapy (acupuncture, hirudotherapy, manual therapy, balneotherapy, laser therapy, galvanization, electrical stimulation, ozone therapy, mud baths, etc.) and exercise therapy.

To maintain the physiological level of testosterone, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed in the form of oral tablets, solutions for intramuscular injection, transdermal patches or gels. Treatment is carried out under the strict supervision of an endocrinologist. The result of therapy: improved physical activity and muscle tone, a decrease in signs of irritability and depression, increased libido and normalization of potency.

In some cases, stimulating treatment for hCG is carried out, which allows you to restore your own production of testosterone.

In addition, the patient needs to establish physical activity, enroll in sports sections, for aerobics, etc. You should also abandon bad habits, follow the recommended diet, control weight. It is known that regular sex life helps to delay the onset of male menopause and reduce its manifestations.

The complex use of drug and non-drug regimens allows you to restore sexual function and improve the quality of life of older patients.

Prevention of male menopause

For every man, andropause occurs individually and may depend on the quality of intimate life, psychological mood, general activity, state of health, and a number of other factors.

To prevent early andropause and to delay physiological aging, the following preventive measures must be observed:

1. From the age of 40, visit a urologist and andrologist at least 2 times a year.
2. Observe the regime of active work and rest, do not forget about a full sleep (from 8 hours or more).
3. Load the body with all possible physical exercises, walks in the fresh air.
4. Adjust the diet in accordance with the recommendations of a nutritionist (control the intake of simple carbohydrates and lipids).
5. Take a contrast shower daily, but limit the use of saunas and baths, abandon hot baths (harmful to the reproductive function of the testicles).
6. Refuse bad habits or sharply limit them.
7. Maintain personal hygiene, paying attention to the genital area, every day, even in the absence of an intimate life.
8. Establish regular sex life, but exclude random sexual intercourse.
9. Avoid hypothermia.

With a little effort, you can not only improve the quality of life, but also push back various age-related changes in the body, including the menopause. But if the andropause still occurred, remember that this is not a disease, but a natural stage, and it still depends on you how much its manifestations will affect the spheres of life.

Video: menopause