What is male menopause syndrome?
Male menopause syndrome refers to the specific age when men transition from middle age to old age, usually occurring between the ages of 40 and 55, or as early as 35 or as late as 65. It is a transitional period based on the transformation of hormone levels and psychological states in men from flourishing to declining. If the change process is relatively gentle and flat, there can be no obvious clinical abnormalities; if it is too intense and shows a certain degree of physical and mental abnormalities in symptoms and/or signs, it is called male menopause syndrome.
Foreign studies have reported that about 2.1% to 40% of middle-aged and older men may have different degrees of menopausal symptoms. In China, surveys in Jiangsu and Shanghai showed that the prevalence ranged from 2.3% to 84.56%. The reason for such a wide span of prevalence is closely related to the population surveyed, and the different diagnostic scales used.
How many different names does it have?
Male menopausal syndrome: This is proposed in contrast to the female menopausal syndrome and is based on clinical symptoms. The concept was first introduced by the academic Werner only back in 1939. It was debated until it was recognized at the First International Conference on Geriatric Masculinities held in February 1998.
Partial androgen deficiency syndrome in elderly men: This concept was introduced by the Austrian Urological Society at the 1994 European Male Science Symposium. It is characterized by a decrease in androgen levels, but not by a complete deficiency, and reflects changes in testosterone levels in middle-aged and older men using objective indicators.
Late-onset hypogonadism: In middle-aged and older men, as they age, their androgen levels are lower than the normal range for young men, with a low free testosterone index. A group of syndromes with or without a series of clinical signs and symptoms corresponding to partial androgen deficiency. At present, the name is basically unified in academic circles and is abbreviated as LOH. However, it is more easily accepted by the general public as male menopause syndrome.
What is the role of androgens in the body?
Male androgens are also known as testosterone. Testosterone in men’s bodies decreases mildly between the ages of 40 and 49, and then increases after the age of 50, and remains relatively stable for about 20 years, and then decreases further after the age of 70. As testosterone declines in the body, the target organs it acts on begin to experience a decline in function, such as a decline in libido, reduced sexual function, reduced sperm, low sexual desire, muscle atrophy and weakness, increased body fat content, etc.
What are the symptoms of male menopause syndrome?
What are the conditions that indicate a lack of testosterone in the body?
Loss of muscle volume and strength
Decreased attention span and memory loss
Osteoporosis or low bone density
Increased body fat and higher body mass index
Decreased physical condition or work performance
Hot flashes
Male breast development
Sleep disturbance, increased insomnia
Decreased semen volume, testicular atrophy (<5ml), oligospermia or azoospermia
In addition, there is a decrease in body hair, osteoporosis, abnormal glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, etc.
When some of these symptoms occur in middle-aged and older men, it is necessary to consult a professional male physician.
How to diagnose male menopause syndrome?
Four groups of symptoms (1 psychoneurological symptoms; 2 circulatory vasodystrophy symptoms; 3 physical decline symptoms; 4 sexual function and reproductive organ symptoms) + a decrease in testosterone are diagnosed. Since testosterone generally peaks at 6:00-10:00 a.m. and low values occur at night, it is better to draw blood for examination at 8-10 a.m.
It is important to note that the clinical manifestations of the disease are all lacking in specificity and can be seen in many other diseases, but these symptoms are mainly related to the degree and duration of testosterone deficiency and age. In addition, testosterone deficiency is associated with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, T2DM, and diminished cognitive ability. Patients are advised to have their testosterone tested or to visit a male specialist if their symptoms are not significantly relieved after a period of treatment in other specialties.
After diagnosis, what is the treatment for male menopause?
Western medicine: The main treatment is testosterone supplementation. There are oral, injectable and topical dosage forms. After correct supplementation of ketotestosterone, it takes 3~4 weeks for improvement of patient’s quality of life; 6~30 weeks for improvement of depressed mood; 4 weeks~12 months for the effect of lipid hypo TSE; 3~12 months for insulin sensitivity and blood sugar; 12~16 weeks for change of fat, lean body mass and muscle strength; and 6 months~3 years for bones. However, patients with contraindications to testosterone supplementation are not allowed to supplement, such as prostate cancer.
Chinese medicine: It is believed that this disease is mostly a whole body disease due to old age and kidney failure, the sky will be exhausted and the body’s yin and yang are out of balance. The kidneys are the root of the innate nature, the main body’s reproduction, growth, development, sexual affairs, the whole process of aging. When a man reaches menopause, his kidney energy decreases, his body weakens from strength to strength, his sexual and reproductive ability decreases from vigor to vigor, and his life slowly moves from middle age to old age. In the identification of the evidence, it is divided into the spleen and kidney yang deficiency, liver and kidney yin deficiency, heart and kidney disconnection, yin and yang deficiency, liver depression and gall bladder heat, and other types of evidence in the treatment
The Sanyinjiao and Shouhai points are special points for menopause. The former can promote hormone secretion and relieve emotional instability and autonomic dysregulation. The latter can relieve dizziness and anxiety. Apply pressure 5 times a day until there is pain.
Self-care is the key
Anti-aging is the most basic way to prevent this disease. Improving the quality of the body and postponing aging is the key to preventing or delaying and reducing the symptoms of menopause in men.
Maintain a good mental state, keep a young mind, treat the changes in the body correctly and face the disease with a positive attitude.
Active exercise, so that the old have something to do and enjoy.
Press into the living, regular life and reasonable nutrition.
Maintain a moderate conjugal life to promote the secretion of sex hormones and prevent premature aging.