Andropause is Not a Myth: The Very Real Symptoms of Male Menopause

As men age, lots of things happen. They get wiser, they tell long stories about the trials and tribulations of walking 18 miles to school in two feet of snow wearing only flip-flops and calling Facebook “the Facebook.” Something that can also happen to men as they age is andropause. Never heard of it? Andropause is famously known as male menopause. Generally, this happens to men around the age of 50 when testosterone levels begin to dip. This can make a man feel a little or a lot different from his “old self” of the past. The interesting thing is, not all men experience it. In fact, it’s reported that only about two percent of men experience symptoms of male menopause. Here are a few of the most commonly reported symptoms:

1) Loss of Stamina – One of the symptoms found by scientists was the inability to engage in vigorous physical activity. The get-up-and-go they once had is now a sit-and-stay-sitting type feeling.

2) A Serious Case of the Blues – Depression is highly affected by hormones, so it makes sense that as testosterone dips, it can bring on bouts of sadness. To be clear, depression is a steadily depressed mood or loss of interest in activities that reach beyond sadness. This can lead to other major fluctuations in lifestyle including appetite, sleep, concentration, energy level, and self-esteem. Please seek professional help immediately if depressed.

3) Fatigue and Weakness – Two of the symptoms most commonly reported were feelings of unexplained fatigue and weakness. He may now need help moving the couch or may be too exhausted to head to the kitchen for some popcorn.

4) Loss of Muscle Mass – When testosterone production declines, men can experience diminishing muscle mass which in turn leads to a feeling of weakness. Things, like adding more protein to the diet and using resistance training, are ways to preserve muscle mass and fight some of those related symptoms of male menopause.

5) “Let’s Get It On” becomes “Let’s Get a Nap” – As people age, it’s not unusual for them to desire sex less than they did in their 20s. However, when the urge to make love goes weeks, months, and even years, this can cause significant stress, concern, and problems in a relationship. Men who are concerned about their libido can take supplements to build it back up.

6) Erectile Dysfunction – Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the inability to maintain a firm erection during intercourse or other sensual activities. This is usually the most known symptom of male menopause (Thanks, Cialis!). ED can really affect a man’s self-esteem, relationships, and stress levels. There are several ways to address ED, from medication to holistic therapies, which are best to discuss with a trusted physician to find the best treatment for each personal situation.

Battling Andropause

As a result of experiencing these symptoms of menopause, a man can go through a lot of physical, emotional, and sexual changes. Seeing a therapist or a trusted friend to talk is a good way to keep andropause in check and to ensure it doesn’t negatively affect self-worth or relationships while changes are happening.

Things that help curb the symptoms of menopause include things like getting adequate, restful sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, participating in stress management techniques, and having a strong support circle. Self-care should be top of mind for men experiencing symptoms of male menopause.

Men who are subject to ED may also want to try a specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) daily. These specials creams are made specifically for the penis and contain vitamins such as A, B, D, and E, which provide healthy cellular function. In addition, men should use a product containing vitamin C as it helps blood flow to the penis for creating strong erections.

Five Symptoms of Male Menopause and How to Survive Them

Male menopause is a condition that affects men as they age. Also known as andropause, it describes the age-related changes in male hormone levels. Male menopause is most often denoted by a drop in the hormone testosterone in men 50 years of age or older. For the uninitiated, testosterone is made in the testes. It does more than just control libido; it also helps fuel mental and physical energy, maintain muscle mass, and regulate the fight-or-flight response. Unlike female menopause, not all men experience it. It also doesn't mean the reproductive organs shut down. In fact, some men father children into their 80s. It can, however, affect several parts of daily living. Here are a few of the most common symptoms.

1) Depression or Sadness - As testosterone levels drop, a man can experience depression or sadness. Depression is a consistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities. This symptom can itself lead to other major changes in lifestyle including appetite, sleep, concentration, energy level, and self-esteem. If depressed, seek professional help immediately as this is a very serious symptom of male menopause.

2) Insomnia or Difficulty Sleeping - Low testosterone can cause a wide range of sleep disturbances including insomnia. Some men may have problems falling or staying asleep for a healthy number of hours. Men also may experience increased sleepiness even though they slept a normal number of hours. Men having sleeping problems can try to create a more sleep-friendly space by regulating light, temperature, and sound. If that doesn’t work, see a sleep specialist.

3) Loss of Muscle Mass and Feelings of Weakness - Testosterone is one of the hormones that are responsible for energy and maintaining muscle mass. As testosterone production decreases, some men experience waning muscle mass and an overall feeling of weakness. Resistance training has shown to help men regain muscle mass. Also, make sure you are getting enough protein in your diet.

4) Reduced Libido - As people age, it’s not unusual for them to desire sex less than they did in their 20s. However, when the urge to make love goes weeks, months, and even years, this can cause significant stress, concern, and problems in a relationship. Men who are concerned about their libido can take supplements to build it back up.

5) Erectile Dysfunction - Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the inability to maintain a firm erection during sex. This is one of the most noticeable symptoms of male menopause. This can cause a lot of stress, relationship strain, and low self-esteem in a man and his partner. There are a host of things that can help this issue from medication to exercises, but they should be evaluated with a medical practitioner.

Regaining Virility During Male Menopause

During male menopause, a man can experience a lot of physical, emotional, and sexual changes. He should get help when needed and remember that his identity and self-confidence are not controlled by male menopause.

In addition to getting regular exercise, adequate sleep, and eating a healthy diet, men can also perform other acts of self-care to make male menopause an easier time. Meditation and yoga have been shown to help balance the body and regulate the endocrine system.

Men who are suffering from ED can also use a specially formulated penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) daily. These specials creams are designed specifically for the penis and should contain ingredients such as vitamins A, B, D, and E, which support healthy cellular function. In addition, men should look for a product containing vitamin C as it helps blood flow, elasticity, and is vital for penile erections. L-Arginine is also a key amino acid that should be included in a penis crème as it aids in the process of getting and maintaining firm erections.

Symptoms of Male Menopause- Causes and Treatment Options

When talking menopause, most people automatically associate it with middle-aged women, but men can also experience something similar. Symptoms creep up slowly, until one day, a normal work schedule becomes almost overwhelming due to unexplained fatigue; and a sex-drive that was always geared high has slowly faded away. Usually, when these symptoms begin to occur, they are followed by the one symptom that gets the most attention, and a visit to the doctor- erectile dysfunction. It is at that point penis health becomes first on the priority list. As they say, knowledge is power, so knowing what male menopause is and how to treat it can bring much needed reassurance to someone suffering from this disheartening condition.

What happens in male menopause- During puberty, the male sex glands known as the testes begin to produce the male hormone testosterone, which is the powerhouse behind muscle mass, strength, sex drive, and performance. This streamlined production of hormones continues unimpaired until around the age of 30. From that point on, testosterone levels in men can decline at a rate of about 1 percent a year. It is at the age of 50 where these levels can drop to a point where a man starts to experience the impact of this lowered hormone level. Sometimes, a health problem can cause a drastic loss of testosterone as well. Either way, symptoms that point to andropause (male menopause) should be addressed by a physician, to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.

Symptoms of low testosterone- Andropause can cause a myriad of symptoms, depending on the severity of testosterone loss. These include-

- Low energy and unexplained fatigue, which can cause lowered interest in regular activities such as exercise or sex.

- Depression and sadness can be a daily norm when androgen deficiency is occurring.

- Difficulty concentrating to a point where things like forgetting daily appointments become common.

- Increase in body fat can happen, even if the diet hasn’t changed. Low testosterone can also lower the metabolism.

- Feelings of weakness or actual loss of muscle mass. Male hormones such as testosterone fuel muscle growth and recovery. When levels are low it can make it difficult to gain or retain musculature.

- Less odor in sweat can occur, and although most would find this a positive symptom, the lack of body odor indicates problems in hormone balance.

- Libido, or sex drive, can plummet and can cause disinterest in sex to a point where relationships can suffer. Occasionally sex just doesn’t feel the same, and a man may wonder how to increase penis sensitivity.

- Erectile dysfunction, the difficulty or complete inability to gain or maintain an erection, can be a devastating symptom, especially for men who have never had problems in that department.

- Lowered self confidence can be a secondary symptom of low testosterone due to ongoing problems such as fatigue, weight gain, libido loss or erectile dysfunction.

Treatment options- One of the first things that should be done is to make an appointment with a healthcare provider to rule out disorders that mimic low androgen. Simple blood work can reveal whether male hormone levels are indeed low. Once it’s determined that the problem is low testosterone, treatment options exist that can help.

- Hormone replacement, if prescribed by a doctor, can eliminate most of the symptoms of male menopause. Certain diseases like prostate cancer can be aggravated by its use so a careful medical exam is needed to ensure there are no contraindications to supplementing testosterone.

- Diets such as the Mediterranean Diet, as well as exercise can not only improve hormone heath, but general health, as well. Improving food quality eaten and physical activity levels will do wonders for hormone health, penis health, and overall wellbeing.

- Supplements that contain DHEA, zinc, vitamin D or the herb ashwagandha are known to boost androgen levels. Topical cremes that contain anti-aging vitamins like A and C, and amino acids like L-Arginine, can help symptoms that impact penis health and restore youthful resilience and sensitivity.

There are many disheartening symptoms of male menopause,f but luckily, modern medicine, natural supplements, and topical penis health crèmes (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) containing high-end nutrients that target the penile tissue are available to address them. With proper treatment, men can feel like they are back in the game of life once again.

How Getting Older Affects Penis Health

Time changes everything - including the penis. A man who practices regular penis care might notice a few small changes here and there as he gets older, until one day things are decidedly different than they were just a few years ago. There might be signs of male menopause. There might be issues with the health of the area around the penis, including the scrotum. In most cases, these changes are perfectly normal signs of aging.

How the penis changes with age

As a man gets older, his penis begins to show signs of age as well. Though aging is often seen as something to be feared, the fact is that some of these physical changes aren’t actually all that bad. Here are four of the top things that will happen to the manhood over time.

1) Things get smaller down there. Unfortunately, it’s true - as testosterone begins to wane, so does the length and girth of a man’s penis. This happens very slowly, and is often attributed to a buildup of collagen. Collagen is less elastic than young, healthy cells, and that can lead to a smaller expansion of the penis during erections.

2) The penis begins to curve. During younger years, a man might sport a penis that is almost straight during an erection, or curves very gently to the right or left. But in the later years, that curve becomes much more pronounced. Why? Because over time, the small tears caused by overzealous masturbation, rough sexual activity and other minor injuries or irritations leads to a buildup of scar tissue. It happens so gradually that it’s tough to notice it at first, but over the span of a few decades, those changes begin to become clear.

3) It’s tough to get it up. Erectile dysfunction is something many men worry about as they age. They might see it as one of the symptoms of male menopause and assume there is nothing they can do about it. They might also notice that erections aren’t nearly as firm and hale as they used to be. Most problems with erectile dysfunction happen in the same way that a man might suffer from heart issues later in life - it’s all about circulation and how well blood flows through the body. This means that a man who maintains excellent overall health throughout his life might experience much less erectile dysfunction in their later years.

4) Sensitivity decreases. A man might notice a loss of sensitivity in the later years. He might not be able to feel the small, feather-light touches that once drove him wild, and that can lead to less satisfying encounters. On the other hand, a man who once had trouble with finishing too fast might now find that he lasts longer, thanks to decreased sensation. How much it bothers a man depends greatly upon his view of a fast finish versus a slow, easy trek through a sensual encounter.

When a man begins to age, he might show signs of male menopause, or he might notice changes in his penis health that warrant a closer look. No matter the change, it is important to keep up with overall physical health and see a doctor on a regular basis.

In addition, a man can fight aging with the use of a high-quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . Look for a crème that includes vitamin A, known for anti-aging properties, as well as pantothenic acid for maintenance of healthy tissue. Acetyl-L-carnitine is also helpful, as it can help prevent nerve damage and loss of sensation, and alpha-lipoic acid can fight free radicals and the signs of aging. All this in a Shea butter base can help ensure the best penis health, no matter the age.