Understanding Male Menopause: The Role of Testosterone, Health Checks, and Treatment Options

2024-01-26 09:17:25

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – Men undergo major hormonal changes as they age, just like women, especially when it comes to their testosterone levels.

Understanding male menopause is key to maintaining health and vitality in their later years.

The role of testosterone

Testosterone, a hormone important for the development of male sexual characteristics, naturally increases and decreases with age.

Testosterone production increases during puberty, and can increase gradually until the age of thirty.

Levels may begin to decline at a rate of 1% per year following age 30. By age 70, some men may experience up to a 50% drop in testosterone levels compared to when the numbers were at their peak levels.

Testosterone affects men and women differently due to its varying levels and gender roles.

In men, its age-related decline greatly affects sexual function and physical characteristics because it is an essential hormone.

As for women who have a naturally low level of testosterone, they will be affected more moderately when it decreases, as their bodies adapt to hormonal changes during menstruation and menopause, for example, but not limited to.

Facing the reality of menopause in men

According to the American Urological Association, male menopause is not just a myth. About 2 out of every 10 men over the age of 60 suffer from low testosterone levels.

This number increases to 3 out of every 10 men when they reach 70 or 80 years of age. Symptoms such as decreased libido, fatigue, mood changes, inability to achieve an erection, and physical changes can significantly affect quality of life.

List of health checks

The new year is the perfect time to get health checkups.

If you are over 40, and you are experiencing symptoms such as low energy or libido, consider checking your testosterone levels.

Only regarding 5% of men with low testosterone receive treatment, according to a 2018 New England Research Institutes study.

This low number is likely due to the fact that most men do not undergo annual examinations, which leads to under-treatment and under-diagnosis of underlying health conditions.

Treatment for low testosterone, also known as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), aims to improve symptoms such as low libido, fatigue, and low muscle mass.

Topical creams can be used on the skin to ensure stable hormone levels. Testosterone injections, which are used every few weeks, are considered effective but may cause fluctuations in hormone levels.

Patches provide a fixed daily dose and are an alternative for those who prefer not to use creams or injections, while testosterone pellets implanted under the skin provide a long-term solution, delivering fixed doses over several months.

Newer oral testosterone medications have recently entered the market as another option.

To choose the right type of treatment, individual preferences, medical history, and lifestyle must be considered and should be discussed with your health care provider.

What else can be done

Treatment for low testosterone is not limited to hormonal therapy; lifestyle plays a crucial role.

Obesity has been linked to low testosterone levels, and a 2015 review found that overweight men are more likely to suffer from low testosterone, and losing weight can increase testosterone levels.

Exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and sleeping well are not only good for your body.

These habits also help maintain healthy testosterone levels.

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