Content
The main symptoms of andropause are sudden changes in mood and fatigue, which appear in men around 50 years of age, when testosterone production in the body begins to decrease.
This phase in men is similar to the period of menopause in women, when there is also a decrease in female hormones in the body and, for this reason, andropause can be popularly known as 'male menopause'.
If you suspect you may be entering menopause, check what you are feeling:
- 1. Lack of energy and excessive tiredness No Yes
- 2. Frequent feelings of sadness No Yes
- 3. Sweats and hot flashes No Yes
- 4. Decreased sexual desire No Yes
- 5. Decreased erection capacity No Yes
- 6. Absence of spontaneous erections in the morning No Yes
- 7. Decrease in body hair, including beard No Yes
- 8. Decrease in muscle mass No Yes
- 9. Difficulty concentrating and memory problems No Yes
It is important to remember that most men have only a few of these symptoms, but it is always important to see a general practitioner or a urologist, to assess health and prevent problems, such as osteoporosis and anemia, which are also common at this stage of life.
How to confirm the diagnosis
Andropause can be easily identified through a blood test that measures the amount of testosterone in the body. Thus, men over 50 with symptoms that may indicate a decrease in testosterone levels should consult their general practitioner, urologist or endocrinologist.
How to relieve andropause symptoms
The treatment of andropause is usually done with the use of drugs that increase testosterone levels in the blood, through pills or injections, however, the urologist or endocrinologist are the doctors who must evaluate and indicate the most appropriate treatment.
In addition, it is also important to have healthy lifestyle habits such as:
- Eat a balanced and varied diet;
- Exercise 2 or 3 times a week;
- Sleep 7 to 8 hours a night;
In more severe cases, in which the man shows signs of depression, it may still be necessary to undergo psychotherapy or start the use of antidepressants. See more about treatment and home remedy for andropause.
Possible consequences
The consequences of andropause are related to the reduction of testosterone levels in the blood, especially when treatment is not done and includes osteoporosis, which leads to an increased risk of fractures, and anemia, as testosterone stimulates the production of red blood cells.