Is there really such a thing as male menopause?
Andropause is a very complex collision between hormonal loss with physical changes, and our culture’s expectations of what ‘a man’ is expected to be– strong, powerful and invulnerable. When men become aware that their bodies are changing, and they know they still have the second half of the game of life to live, very often they fight their fear and confusion by denying the natural course of events.
Often times, the women who love them see changes reflected in behaviors such as irritability, low-energy levels, hypersensitivity, and depression.
Physicians use the term “andropause” to describe aging-related hormone changes in men. Other terms for so-called ‘male menopause’ include testosterone deficiency, androgen deficiency of the aging man and late-onset hypogonadism. While women’s hormone levels drop relatively rapidly during menopause, men’s testosterone levels normally begin to decline in their 30. This means that by the time men begin to feel the effects of their testosterone loss, the gradual process can have been ongoing for anywhere from one to two decades.For men feeling a lackluster of a ‘get up and go’, it may be time to check hormone levels as this may be a sign of low testosterone levels.
Get in touch with an expert today and schedule an appointment! Dr. Bellman’s office can be reached at 818.703.9500
For an appointment or consultation with Dr. Gary Bellman, please contact the office or call 818-912-1899