The Reality of The Male Menopause

The changes in our lives brought about by COVID-19 have given rise to questions about how we can tackle emerging mental health issues. One of those areas of concern is the male menopause.

The male menopause (actually andropause) can come as a shock to some men in their 40s, because the physical and mental changes they experience are not widely known amongst us. Optimale’s ‘Understanding the male menopause and mental health’ educates and informs all of us about what could be a critical time in the lives of many men, separating facts from fiction, helping us to understand and to offer support.

The guide explains the physiology of change, the symptoms, the impact and how to treat the condition, starting with tests which can be carried out to determine andropause.

Levels of testosterone affect the heart, muscles, brain, kidneys and sex organs. Whilst women experience the start of menopause overnight and this continues for years, in men this happens very gradually. Women can no longer have children, whilst men can, and some men don’t go through this change, whereas all women do.

So if you or someone you know has difficulty in concentrating, perhaps some memory loss, low energy and fatigue, low libido, insomnia, is less productive and perhaps less rational, it could be time to suggest a check-up.

On a personal note, I wish that – many years ago now – I had known about male menopause, that I’d read information such as that provided in Understanding the Male Menopause and Mental Health (It’s freely available here)  because I could have been more understanding and supportive of the men in my life.

Andropause is not about the loss of masculinity, just as menopause isn’t about the loss of femininity. Once people understand that, some relationship issues could well be eliminated alongside the help available to any man experiencing these changes.

Feature photograph by Ben White.

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