Last Friday, Khloe Kardashian’s husband, Lamar Odom, was almost traded to the New Orleans Hornets NBA franchise. Mr. Odom unleashed a series of angry tweets on Twitter.com, before claiming his Twitter page had been hacked into.

Then, during a moment of male bonding between Lamar and uber macho ESPN radio jock Stephen A. Smith, the 6 ft 10 in, 230 lb Odom dissolved into tears. Lamar’s emotional response to this event might be due to the early stages of male menopause.

Emotional changes are one of the signs and symptoms of low testosterone in men that occurs when a male is going through “the change”. Hormonal changes are a natural part of aging for both men and women. Though women experience more changes than men when hormone levels drop due to aging.

What exactly is male menopause?

According to the Mayo Clinic, male menopause is “sometimes used to describe decreasing testosterone levels or a reduction in the bioavailability of testosterone related to aging.”

Male menopause occurs after age 30 on average. By about age 70, the decrease in a man’s testosterone level can be as much as 50 percent. One of the first signs of male menopause in a man is weight gain around the midsection, aka pot belly.

Though the changes men experience when they’re in menopause differ drastically from women, men can experience some of the same symptoms as women, such as mood instability, irritability and depression.

Men with low testosterone have also reported memory loss, hot flashes (or flushes), as well as muscle weakness and loss of muscle tone. The low testosterone levels can also cause low self confidence and decreased motivation in men.

Male menopause can contribute to a man’s decreased interest in sex, which increases their anxiety. While men’s interest in sex wanes, the sex drives of their wives or girlfriends, who are in their late 30s and 40s, increases with age.

Male menopause can also be responsible for low sperm count in men over 30, as well as erectile dysfunction problems. Some men erroneously believe that taking medications such as Viagra will increase their libido (sex drive). Unfortunately, they don’t.

But there is hope for men with low testosterone!

While some doctors encourage their male patients to watch their diets and exercise more to alleviate the symptoms of male menopause, other doctors suggest testosterone replacement therapy.

Testosterone replacement therapy with pellet implants (under the skin) is the most effective way of restoring hormone balance for both men and women. Unlike pills, messy patches or creams, the pellets release just the right dosage of hormones into the bloodstream per day. Once implanted, the pellets can last up to 6 months.

Men who have undergone testosterone pellet implants report an increase in their sex drive, along with more energy, increased mood, and improved sleep patterns.

Recognizing low testosterone levels

  • Changes in sexual function. This might include erectile dysfunction, reduced sexual desire, fewer spontaneous erections — such as during sleep — and infertility. Your testes might become smaller as well.
  • Changes in sleep patterns. Sometimes low testosterone causes sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, or increased sleepiness.
  • Physical changes. Various physical changes are possible, including increased body fat; reduced muscle bulk, strength and endurance; and decreased bone density. Swollen or tender breasts (gynecomastia) and loss of body hair are possible. Rarely, you might experience hot flashes and have less energy.
  • Emotional changes. Low testosterone might contribute to a decrease in motivation or self-confidence. You might feel sad or depressed, or have trouble concentrating or remembering things.

    • If you think you are experiencing male menopause, please consult with your health care professional for an evaluation, or to see if you qualify for testosterone replacement therapy.

    This has been your Medical Minute.

    More info on the web

    Male Menopause – Mayo Clinic

    Male Menopause – Medicine.net

    Male Menopause – WebMD

    Anti-Aging for Men – American Medical Institute (Atlanta)

    DISCLAIMER

    Any medical advice published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider. Sandrarose.com and its affiliates cannot be held liable for any damages incurred by following advice found on this blog.