{"id":5843,"date":"2016-02-03T09:00:09","date_gmt":"2014-02-03T09:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.edrugstore.md\/blog\/?p=5843"},"modified":"2014-02-03T19:18:46","modified_gmt":"2014-02-03T19:18:46","slug":"is-there-such-a-thing-as-male-menopause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edrugstore.com\/blog\/erectile-dysfunction\/is-there-such-a-thing-as-male-menopause\/","title":{"rendered":"Is There Such a Thing as Male Menopause?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Mature
Aging doesn’t have to be a downer, not if you know what’s normal for you.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The term \u201cmale menopause\u201d gets tossed around generically, but it\u2019s not really accurate. Although everyone goes through hormonal changes with age, the changes in men are different from menopausal symptoms in women. Male menopause might not exist as it\u2019s labeled, but the changes men face are no less real.<\/p>\n

For both men and women, age brings about a decline in hormones. This is normal, and shouldn’t necessarily be cause for alarm. Women understand this decline from a young age, because menopause is a dramatic event that all women eventually face. Periods stop, and fertility ceases. But some men might think lower testosterone means something is wrong. Unless testosterone tanks in young years, it’s part of the natural aging process.<\/p>\n

Male menopause isn’t an accurate term. There are similarities, but more differences between the changes men and women experience. If you think you are seeing signs of what you might call menopause, here are a few things that you should know before you talk with your doctor:<\/p>\n

Menopause is a Term for Women<\/strong><\/p>\n

Women experience a lot of hormonal changes throughout life stages. At puberty, the female reproductive system is just beginning to gear up. Throughout child-bearing years, hormone production is higher, but it can fluctuate.<\/p>\n

As women age, estrogen and progesterone production slow, and the first signs of menopause reveal themselves. Reduced hormone production may begin as early as a woman in her 30s, but genetics and some health conditions may cause it to happen sooner or later than expected.<\/p>\n

Hormones are directly tied to fertility in women. When a woman\u2019s ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone, she can\u2019t get pregnant anymore. But that\u2019s not all. Women who are in peri-menopause, which is a period when hormones begin to decrease, may have hot flashes, weight gain, and other symptoms.<\/p>\n

Peri-menopause may last as many as 10 years. Once menopause fully arrives, usually near the age of 50, the woman\u2019s fertile years are over.<\/p>\n

These changes are all caused by estrogen and progesterone declining steadily over a period of years, then rapidly declining as menopause becomes imminent. There is also a hormone decline in men, but it\u2019s usually much less dramatic.<\/p>\n

Hormone Decline in Men isn’t the Same as Menopause<\/strong><\/p>\n

Doctors use other terms to describe the decreasing levels of hormones in men. Some call it \u201candropause,\u201d others call it \u201caging male syndrome.\u201d Like women, men experience a decline in hormone production as they age. But men experience it a lot younger, and it lasts a lot longer.<\/p>\n

Harvard Medical School<\/a> \u00a0explains that a man\u2019s peak testosterone production happens at about age 17. It can stay fairly steady throughout the 20s, but the 30s bring about the beginning of a decline. This decline is slow, but usually steady.<\/p>\n

A man in his 70s or 80s may still have about half the level of testosterone in his body as he did in his 20s. This is one of the major differences between menopause and andropause. Healthy women eventually stop producing estrogen altogether, according to Harvard; healthy men produce less and less testosterone over time, but don\u2019t stop.<\/p>\n

To make things even more complicated, women\u2019s bodies naturally make testosterone, but in lower quantities than men. Men don\u2019t produce estrogen, but some of a man\u2019s testosterone is converted into estrogen. So while estrogen is considered female and testosterone male, women and men have both.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of Lower Testosterone Levels<\/strong><\/p>\n

As men age, declining hormone levels can lead to weight gain, loss of lean muscle mass, lowered sex drive, erection health issues, nervousness and irritability, loss of energy, and other symptoms. These are similar, but not identical, to the symptoms women face.<\/p>\n

To alleviate these symptoms, Harvard says some men think about hormone replacement therapy, or HRT. HRT can help with losing weight, increasing sex drive, and some research shows that it also may increase bone density. That said, some are surprised that men are entertaining the risks of HRT, knowing the dangers that exist for women who take hormones.<\/p>\n

Testosterone replacement isn\u2019t taken in pill form; it\u2019s usually a gel that\u2019s rubbed onto the skin, or a treatment that\u2019s applied to the gums. But you should be aware of the risks before you dive in.<\/p>\n

There is a risk of heart attack, thickened blood, and even prostate cancer, although testosterone is not shown to create cancer. It does, however, appear to \u201cfeed\u201d existing cancer.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re thinking about testosterone for erection health, medications such as Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra are a better way.<\/p>\n

Testosterone and Fertility<\/strong><\/p>\n

Testosterone is critical for a higher sperm count. So fertility might decrease some as a man ages, but it generally doesn\u2019t stop. This is another big difference between menopause and andropause. Women ultimately, and naturally, become infertile; men might experience lower sperm count, but do not become infertile with normal aging.<\/p>\n

Low testosterone-induced fertility problems can make it harder for a man\u2019s partner to become pregnant. Some men wish to try hormone replacement therapy, but this can backfire. Adding testosterone can actually drop sperm count to nearly zero.<\/p>\n

WebMD<\/a> \u00a0says that as much as 90% of men on testosterone replacement therapy can experience this total absence of sperm count while on the therapy. It\u2019s so common, HRT has been studied as a type of birth control. Natural testosterone is a critical component of fertility, but hormone replacement works in opposition.<\/p>\n

For fertility issues, low testosterone can be treated with injections of gonadotropin. This stimulates the body to produce more testosterone, but it\u2019s only used as a temporary measure for fertility problems.<\/p>\n

Erection Health Medications are Low Risk, and They Work<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Erection
Erection health medications can help keep your sex life active.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you are experiencing erection health issues as a result of aging and low testosterone, you should know that the prescription medications, Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra are proven to work for many men. They are also safe for men of all ages, and those on many different medications, except for nitrates. If you take nitrates, erection health medications might pose serious health risks.<\/p>\n

These medications target one problem — erection health — and can provide dramatic results. They can\u2019t increase sex drive, but where the stimulation and desire are there, healthy erections are usually possible.<\/p>\n

Lower testosterone is a normal part of aging. You can call it male menopause, andropause, or anything else that you like, but all men who reach a certain age will experience it.<\/p>\n

Erection heath medications can help you enjoy a healthy, satisfying sex life as long as you are healthy enough for sex. If you\u2019d like a bit of a boost, talk with your doctor to see what these medications can do for you.<\/p>\n

eDrugstore.com<\/a>\u00a0sells Levitra, Cialis, and Viagra, all of which are safe, effective erection health medications. We even have a sample pack with all three, in case you\u2019re not sure which one is right for you. We respect your privacy with the convenience of online ordering, and your discreetly-packed shipment will arrive at your door. If you\u2019re ready to take the next step with something that works, see what eDrugstore.com has to offer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The term \u201cmale menopause\u201d gets tossed around generically, but it\u2019s not really accurate. Although everyone goes through hormonal changes with age, the changes in men are different from menopausal symptoms in women. Male menopause might not exist as it\u2019s labeled, but the changes men face are no less real. For both men and women, age […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5845,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_autoblog_aioseo_focus_keyphrase":"","_autoblog_aioseo_title":"","_autoblog_aioseo_description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5843","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-erectile-dysfunction"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t