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After middle age, male hormones decrease by 0.4~2.0% every year. When this decline increases beyond a certain level and related symptoms appear, it is called male menopause.
Sex hormones peak at puberty in both sexes and decline sharply around the age of 50 for women, while men, unlike women, decline slowly from their 20s and often do not notice menopausal symptoms. However, in recent years, the prevalence of male menopause has been increasing as the average age increases.
Although the prevalence has been increasing in recent years, male menopause has been recognized and studied in the past. The first mention of male menopause was in 1939 in Germany, when men in their 50s referred to it as "male menopause" as fatigue, loss of sexual function, hot flashes, depression, and memory loss.
In 1944, it was studied at an Austrian academic institute as "male menopause" and "partial male hormone deficiency in male seniors", and today it is called "LOH (Late Onset Hypogonadism"), that is, late-onset hypogonadism, testosterone deficiency syndrome, etc.
The main culprit of male menopause is a deficiency of male hormones. Testosterone is the main male hormone, with 95% produced by the testicles and 5% by the adrenal glands, with the highest amount produced in the early morning. Secretion is regulated from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland and from the pituitary gland to the gonadal axis.
The functions of these testosterones are as follows
It makes it possible to distinguish between women and men.
It enlarges the size of the penis, enables testicular development and sperm production.
It strengthens bones and is involved in muscle building, helping to improve the effectiveness of exercise.
Affects fat metabolism, kidneys and bone marrow, helping to make blood. It also plays an important role in immune function and is involved in psychological aspects.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Since male menopause is caused by the loss of male hormones, the male hormones in the stomach do not function properly, resulting in various symptoms.
First, changes in sexual function
Alterations in sexual function are a typical symptom of a decrease in testosterone. Men often get erections when they sleep at night, but this frequency decreases and libido decreases. Correspondingly, the frequency of sexual activity also decreases.
In addition, the time to get an erection during sexual activity increases, the stiffness of the erection becomes weaker, and the duration of the erection is shorter. During ejaculation, the feeling of extreme sensation decreases, and the amount of ejaculated fluid decreases, or the erection may disappear due to inability to ejaculate.
Second, changes in body shape and muscle mass
When male hormones, which are responsible for stimulating muscle building, decrease, you lose weight, excluding fat. In addition, the decrease in male hormones itself can also lead to an increase in body fat, resulting in a so-called "spider-shaped body shape*". As a result, fatigue, weakness, and physical activity decrease.
*Spider-shaped body type: Excess visceral fat with thin limbs and a lot of fat in the abdomen
Third, loss of bone density
One of the roles of male hormones is to strengthen bones. Decreased testosterone levels weaken bone stiffness, leading to osteoporosis and increased frequency of spinal and hip fractures.
Fourth, increased risk of metabolic diseases
Poor metabolism of lipids increases the likelihood of metabolic syndrome such as abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia*, and low HDL cholesterol*.
*Hypertriglyceridemia: Triglycerides above the normal range (150 mg/dL) in the blood
*HypoHDL cholesterol: HDL cholesterol below the normal range (60 mg/dL) in the blood
Fifth, the occurrence of other physical symptoms
Due to the decrease in male hormones, the thickness of the skin decreases, resulting in a decrease in shine, pubic hair, and body hair. The risk of gynecomastia, which is the enlargement of breasts, increases, and hot flashes and hyperhidrosis can occur, as with female menopause.
Sixth, psychiatric, psychological symptoms
Loss and depression increase. They become irritable and impatient. It can also lead to increased anxiety, nervous breakdowns, and sleep disturbances. Memory and concentration deteriorate, and cognitive abilities decline.
In conclusion, when male menopause comes, the above symptoms lead to a decrease in vitality and fatigue. If this continues, it will lead to a decrease in happiness and satisfaction, which in turn will lead to a decrease in the quality of life psychologically, physically, and socially.
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