5 Symptoms of Male Menopause

Are you suffering from the five symptoms of male menopause?  Menopause is a change of life that not only affects women.  Doctors are now faced with addressing the problems of male menopause, also referred to as aging male syndrome, which have been ignored for many years.

1. Fatigue.  During male menopause, men suffering from fatigue experience an overwhelming loss of physical energy.  The muscles in the body appear weak and unable to perform usual activities.  For example, climbing a flight of stairs is likely to result in being short of breath.  Fatigue also means being tired all the time, even upon waking up from sleep.
2. Depression.  Depression is a serious medical condition which is characterized as extreme sadness (National Institute of Mental Health, 2010).     During male menopause, depression is quite common.  Men typically display feelings of hopelessness and pessimism.  They may show a lack of interest in their usual activities and hobbies.  In some case the depression experienced in male menopause leads to thoughts of suicide.
3. Decreased Libido. Male menopause usually begins with a decline in testosterone, which causes a decreased libido.  This symptom of menopause in men often interferes with intimacy in relationships because it causes men to lose interest in sexual activity.  It may also have a negative effect on self-esteem.
4. Mood Swings.  Unprovoked anger and sudden outbursts are apparent signs of mood swings in men experiencing male menopause.  Men do not always recognize that they are having mood swings and tend to blame such behaviors on other people.  Their emotions change quickly from being on top of the world to feeling down in the dumps.
5. Poor Concentration.  During male menopause, the inability to focus makes it difficult for men to complete regular tasks as their minds jump from one thought to another.  Being easily distracted and unable to concentrate leads to feelings of frustration.  Sometimes taking a short walk temporarily helps to improve concentration.

 If you or someone you love displays the five symptoms of male menopause discuss your concerns with a healthcare provider.  There is no need to suffer in silence.  Treatment is available to mitigate these problems.  Treatment may include lifestyle changes, such as special diets and exercise, medications or testosterone replacement therapy (WebMD, 2009).

References:

NIH

WebMD