Menopause in women and men What is the difference?

What stage of menopause in men? And what are its symptoms? And what are its causes? At what age does a man become sexually weak? And what is menopause? What is the stage of menopause in women? And what are its stages? The answers are in this report.

Some men develop depression, loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction and other physical and emotional symptoms when they reach their late forties to early fifties, according to the UK's National Health Service .

However, a publication from the UK's National Health Service notes that "male menopause" (sometimes called andropause) is an unhelpful term sometimes used in the media.

The publication says, "This label is misleading because it indicates that the symptoms are caused by a sudden drop in testosterone in middle age, as occurs in menopause in females, and this is not true."

Although testosterone levels decline as men age, the decline is steady at less than 2% per year from about age 30 to 40, and this is unlikely to cause any problems by itself.

A testosterone deficiency that develops later in life - also known as late hypogonadism - can sometimes be responsible for these symptoms, but in many cases the symptoms are unrelated to hormones.

Lifestyle factors or psychological problems are often responsible for many of these symptoms.

For example, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, and mood swings may be due to causes other than low testosterone, such as:

-Stress

-Depression

-worry

There are also physical causes that lead to erectile dysfunction, such as changes in blood vessels, that may occur along with any psychological cause.

Psychological problems are usually caused by work or relationship problems, divorce, money problems, or worries about aging parents, and may affect sexual desire.

A 'midlife crisis' can also be responsible. This can happen when men think they have reached middle age; In which men worry about what they have accomplished so far, whether in their job or personal life, and this can lead to a period of depression.

Symptoms of menopause in men:

-Fatigue.

-Weakness.

-Depression.

-Sexual problems and decreased libido.

Also, common symptoms in men in menopause are:

-Mood swings and irritability.

-Loss of muscle mass and decreased ability to exercise.

-Redistribution of fat, such as an increase in the size of the abdomen or "gynecomastia".

-General lack of enthusiasm or energy.

-Difficulty sleeping.

-Poor focus.

These symptoms can interfere with daily life and happiness, so it is important to know the root cause and what can be done to resolve it.

Possible causes of menopause in men:

-Low testosterone.

-Lack of sleep.

-Unhealthy diet.

-Lack of exercise.

-Smoking.

-Low self-esteem.

-Late hypogonadism.

-Late hypogonadism

In some cases - where lifestyle or psychological problems do not appear to be responsible - the symptoms of "male menopause" may be the result of hypogonadism, in which the testicles produce little or no hormones.

Hypogonadism sometimes occurs from birth, which may cause symptoms such as delayed puberty and small testicles.

Hypogonadism can also sometimes occur later in life, especially in men who are obese or have type 2 diabetes.

This is known as delayed hypogonadism, and it can cause "male menopause" symptoms.

But this is an uncommon and specific medical condition and is not a normal part of aging.

Delayed hypogonadism can usually be diagnosed based on symptoms and the results of blood tests used to measure testosterone levels.

Menopause treatment

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor; He or she will ask about your work and personal life to see if your symptoms are caused by a mental health issue, such as stress or anxiety.

If stress and anxiety are affecting you, you may benefit from medications or cognitive behavioral therapy, and exercise and relaxation can help, too.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Your doctor will also order a blood test to measure your testosterone levels. If the results indicate that you are deficient in the hormone testosterone, you will be given a testosterone replacement to correct the hormone deficiency, which should relieve your symptoms.

As with hormone replacement therapy in women, testosterone replacement therapy has potential risks and side effects. Testosterone replacement therapy may worsen prostate cancer and increase the risk of heart disease, for example, according to  Webmed.

If you're considering testosterone replacement therapy, talk to your doctor to learn more. Your doctor may also recommend certain lifestyle or other changes to help with some symptoms of male menopause. These include:

-Diet.

-Exercises.

-Medicines such as antidepressants.

At what age is a man sexually impotent?

There is no specific age as long as the man is healthy and does not suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, or these diseases are under control, he is expected to maintain a good level of sexual health.

Although testosterone levels decline as men age, the decline is steady at less than 2% per year from about age 30 to 40, and this is unlikely to cause any problems by itself.

According to a report in WebMed , unlike menopause in women, when hormone production stops completely, the drop in testosterone in men is a slower process; The testicles, unlike the ovaries, do not run out of the substance they need to make the hormone testosterone. Healthy men may be able to produce sperm in their 80s or later.

Forty problems in men

The difficulties that men may face at the age of forty depend on their health. A man may develop high blood pressure and diabetes, and he may suffer from being overweight. These problems, if not treated, leave effects on his health, and on the blood vessels, and may increase the risk of problems such as erectile dysfunction.

Symptoms of fifty in men

The difficulties that men may face at the age of fifty also depend on their health, so it is important to control chronic diseases, and to stick to taking their prescribed medications.

With age and approaching retirement age, a man may experience feelings that age has passed, and wonder about his achievement. Some of his friends may leave work, and this may affect him psychologically. It is important to recognize and treat any psychological problems before they affect physical and sexual health.

Early menopause in men

There is no specific time for menopause symptoms, these symptoms may occur early or late depending on the general health of the man, the same symptoms that we mentioned above: fatigue, weakness, depression, sexual problems and decreased sexual desire.

Symptoms of the age of sixty in men

The most important change at this stage is retirement. It is important for a man to have a social support network of family and friends, to make up for the shortfall caused by losing a job. The man may occupy himself with other activities, such as helping out with the grandchildren.

It goes without saying that any diseases, especially chronic diseases, need to be monitored and treated so that they are under control.

Symptoms of testosterone deficiency

Writer Vera Ermakova says - in a report published by " goodhouse" in its Russian version - that only doctors can confirm the presence of a lack of testosterone, but there are some signs and symptoms:

Decline in sexual desire: Testosterone is one of the most important hormones that create desire in men.

 Weight gain: This change is represented by an increase in adipose tissue and a decrease in muscle tissue; As testosterone regulates the distribution of fat in the body, and therefore when it decreases, weight increases and fat is concentrated in the waist area.

 Weakness and drowsiness: We all feel tired from time to time, but if you wake up in the morning and feel like you don't have energy, and you have trouble sleeping, you most likely have a testosterone deficiency.

Joint and back pain: Testosterone plays a role in maintaining the density of bones and joints, and therefore its decrease leads to pain and weakness. With the increase in body weight, the skeleton - especially the spine and joints - will suffer from a heavy load, and pain will begin.

Urination disorders: This is the most serious sign. If you notice disturbances in urination such as poor urine, frequent going to the bathroom at night, or the inability to completely empty your bladder, you need to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible; As these symptoms not only indicate a lack of testosterone, but can also be warning signs of prostate disorders, or there may be a malignant tumor in the process of forming.

Breast prominence and hair loss: This is a result of low testosterone levels.

Tension and nervousness: In addition to these signs, the menopause period in men can also witness a decline in memory and concentration; Testosterone helps us stay alert, keep our attention, and get the work done. Declining this hormone can leave us in a bad mood, dizzy and feel miserable.

What stage of menopause in women?

The menopause stage in women is known as menopause, when 12 consecutive months have passed without a menstrual period. Changing levels of estrogen and progesterone (two female hormones produced in the ovaries) cause symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. And menopause is a normal part of aging, and marks the end of a female's reproductive years.

Why does menopause occur?

Natural amenorrhea (menopause not caused by surgery or another medical condition) is a normal part of aging. Menopause is defined as a full year without menstrual bleeding, in the absence of any surgery or medical condition that may cause the bleeding to stop artificially; Such as hormonal birth control, hyperthyroidism, elevated prolactin, radiation or surgical removal of the ovaries, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

With age, the reproductive cycle begins to slow and prepares to stop. This cycle has been working continuously since puberty, and with the approach of menopause, the ovaries produce less estrogen, and when this decrease occurs, the menstrual cycle changes. It can be irregular and then stop. Physical changes can also happen as your body adjusts to different levels of hormones.

How long is menopause?

Menopause is the point in time when you go 12 consecutive months without a period.

The stages of menopause

Natural menopause is the permanent end of menstruation that is not caused by any kind of medical treatment. For women who are in natural menopause, the process is gradual and is described in 3 stages:

Pre-menopausal stage

Perimenopause can begin 8 to 10 years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen. It usually starts when you are in your forties. Menopause lasts until menopause, at which point the ovaries stop releasing eggs. In the last year or two of perimenopause, the decline in estrogen accelerates. At this point you may be experiencing menopausal symptoms, but you are still having periods during this time and can become pregnant.

Menopause

Menopause is the point at which your period does not return. At this point, the ovaries stop releasing eggs and producing most of the estrogen, and menopause is diagnosed when there has been no menstrual cycle for 12 consecutive months.

Postmenopausal fun

This is the name given to the time after menopause for an entire year (the rest of your life after menopause). During this phase, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes may ease for many women, although some women continue to experience menopausal symptoms for a decade or more after the menopausal transition. As a result of low estrogen levels, postmenopausal women are at increased risk of many health conditions, such as osteoporosis and heart disease.

Early menopause

Menopause, when it occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, is considered "normal", and it's a normal part of aging. But some women may experience early menopause, either as a result of surgery (such as removing the ovaries) or damage to the ovaries (such as chemotherapy or radiation). The menopause that occurs before 45 is called early menopause. Amenorrhea that occurs in your forties or younger is considered early menopause. When there is no medical or surgical reason for early menopause, it is called primary ovarian insufficiency.

Menopause symptoms

You may be entering menopause if you start experiencing some or all of the following symptoms:

-Hot flashes (a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads throughout the body).

-Night sweats.

-Vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex.

-Urinary urgency (an urgent need to urinate frequently).

-Difficulty sleeping

-Emotional changes: irritability, mood swings, mild depression.

-Dry skin, dry eyes, or dry mouth.

What are the signs of approaching menopause?

Premenopausal women may also experience:

-Exacerbation of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) , a premenstrual difficulty that manifests in many women in the form of disturbances in sleep and -concentration, abdominal pain, a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, bouts of bloating and constipation.

-Irregular menstrual cycle.

-Menstruation heavier or lighter than usual.

-Rapid heartbeat.

-Headache;

-Joint and muscle pain.

-Changes in sexual desire.

-Difficulty concentrating and memory lapses.

-overweight.

-hair loss.

These symptoms could be a sign that the ovaries are producing less estrogen or a sign of increased fluctuations in hormone levels. Not all women have these symptoms. However, women with new symptoms such as a fast heartbeat, urinary changes, headache or other new medical problems should make sure that there is no other cause for their symptoms.

Is it possible to stop menstruation suddenly?

Secondary amenorrhea occurs when a woman stops menstruating for at least 3 months. This is the most common form of amenorrhea, according to a report in Healthline .

This type differs from primary amenorrhea, and is defined as when a teenage girl is 16 or over her age and has not had her first period. Most girls start menstruating between the ages of 9 and 18, but the average age is 12.

Primary and secondary amenorrhea can occur for many reasons. Some causes are natural, and some are medical conditions that need treatment.

Some of the causes of sudden menopause (except pregnancy, lactation and menopause):

-Excessive exercise and stress.

-Having too little body fat or having too much body fat can cause your period to be late or stop.

-Hormonal imbalances, usually caused by tumors in the pituitary gland or thyroid gland. Low estrogen levels or high testosterone levels can also cause them.

-Genetic or chromosomal disorders, such as Turner syndrome and Swyer syndrome, can sometimes cause menstruation to be delayed.

-Some medicine.

Medications to treat menopause

According to the Mayo Clinic, menopause does not require any medical treatment. Rather, treatment methods focus on relieving signs and symptoms and preventing or managing chronic conditions that may occur with age.

Examples of some treatments include:

-Hormone therapy, which includes estrogen and progestin therapy. Long-term use of hormone therapy may have some risks of cardiovascular and breast cancer, but starting hormone therapy around the time of menopause has shown benefits for some women. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy and if it's a safe option for you.

-Vaginal estrogen.

-Low-dose antidepressants.

-Medications to prevent or treat osteoporosis.