The main symptoms of andropause are sudden changes in mood and fatigue, which appear in men around 50 years of age, when the production of testosterone 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, therefore, 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 Yes No
- 2. Frequent feelings of sadness Yes No
- 3. Sweats and hot flashes Yes No
- 4. Decreased sexual desire Yes No
- 5. Decreased erection capacity Yes No
- 6. Absence of spontaneous erections in the morning Yes No
- 7. Decrease in body hair, including beard Yes No
- 8. Decrease in muscle mass Yes No
- 9. Difficulty concentrating and memory problems Yes No
It is important to remember that most men have only a few of these symptoms, but it is always important to consult a general practitioner or 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:
- Make 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 to start using 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.
