Does Male Menopause Exist?

The medical community is still debating on whether there is a predictable and treatable phase in men's lives called "male menopause". What is known is that men go through a lot of hormone changes as they age. Menopause in women is set off and controlled by hormone changes, too. Men still retain fertility into well advanced years, while with women their fertility is over.

Usual Symptoms

There are still a lot of doctors who do insist that men go through male menopause – only it isn't as dramatic as a woman's menopause. The hormone testosterone, which controls "maleness", is substantially low in the body of the older male. Along with low testosterone levels, men with male menopause complain of fatigue, sexual dysfunctions and depression.

However, the symptoms of male menopause are nearly identical for diabetes, extreme stress and other illnesses. A man would need to get blood work and other tests in order to be correctly diagnosed. This is especially important if the symptoms are due to diabetes, which can be potentially lethal.

Differing Treatments

The subject of treating male menopause is under almost the same amount of controversy as treating female menopause. There are those who in favor of hormone replacement therapy (in this case, it would be testosterone instead of estrogen), and those who believe that alternative treatments are the healthiest way. There is some evidence that testosterone replacement theory can worsen prostate cancer.

Those who advocate alternative treatments for male menopause suggest lifestyle changes to benefit the overall health of the man. Quitting smoking, not drinking more than two alcoholic beverages a day, regular exercise, a sensible diet and learning how to better manage your stress is thought to help ease the symptoms of male menopause. Meditation, yoga, a nice walk are much better ways of handling stress than a steak and beer dinner or recreational drugs.

And not all men will get male menopause, or at least get any symptoms that they will notice. This also can happen in women's menopause – with the exception of noticing that there aren't any menstruations anymore. So, there is no guarantee that you will go through male menopause to the point where you need to go see a doctor.

Please do not use this article in the place of a doctor's diagnosis. If your body is acting in any peculiar way, please see your doctor. Male menopause – whether everyone agrees that it exists or not – is treatable, but you need to go to your doctor first.

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