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Female versus Male Menopause
Female versus Male Menopause Unless you have been living under a rock, the news that women
experience menopause, is not something new. It may be news to you that there is research being conducted to
determine if there is such a thing as male menopause. The studies that have been conducted say that the main
hormone for males - testosterone decreases as males age starting at age 40 and that it returns to pre-puberty
levels by the time males hit age 80. Women on the other hand can start having pre-menopausal symptoms as early as
age 35. The main hormone that triggers menopause for women is estrogen. This hormone for women decreases noticeably
over a period of five years starting at around age 50. Women have an undeniable physical symptom of menopause - the
cessation of their monthly period cycles. They are officially considered menopausal when they have not had a period
for 12 months in a row, barring any other medical reason for lack of menstruation. The decrease in the hormone
estrogen can be detected by a blood test (FSH). Do men have a similar test to see if they are experiencing male
menopause? The hormone drop for women can be drastic which can cause very obvious symptoms both psychological and
physical. Men on the other hand have a much gradual decline in testosterone so their symptoms can creep up on them.
Lower levels of testosterone in males cause them to experience a loss of muscle mass, increased deposits of fat, a
decrease in energy level and also a noticeable decrease in sexual interest. Other symptoms that males may
experience while having decreased testosterone levels are: depression, irritability, and erectile dysfunction.
While women can also experience depression, and irritability, they have more physical symptoms such as night
sweats, hot flashes and facial hair growth. Men with medical conditions that cause them to have decreased levels of
testosterone are given testosterone-replacement therapy and report an improvement in symptoms. It is difficult to
determine when symptoms are related to male menopause and when they can be attributed to other conditions such as
alcoholism, hormonal disorders such as thyroid issues, kidney and liver disease or heart and or lung disease. The
disease depression can also cause the same symptoms in males who have healthy levels of testosterone. FSH is
increased and the level of estradiol is decreased in women who are in menopause or who have gone through menopause.
When women are going through menopause or have already reached menopause their FSH level will be above normal and
their estradiol levels will be below normal. Estradiol is a type of estrogen, which is a hormone. Men can have
their FSH level tested too. The normal level of FSH in women whom are not menopausal is: 5 mIU/mL to 30 mIU/mL. The
menopausal level of FSH in women is: 50 mIU/mL to 100 mIU/mL. The normal male from puberty up to 35 has a FSH of 5
to 20 mIU/mL. Men will also have their testosterone level tested at the same time that their FSH level is tested.
If the first test results come back abnormal they will probably be tested a second time to compare results. Along
with these blood tests the medical history, medication history and current health will be taken into consideration
when making a diagnosis.
Male Menopause Depression
Physical symptoms can include erectile dysfunction and the resultant loss of libido. The most dramatic testosterone changes occurs after age 70 in males at which time the common thought would be that it is age related or so the non-scientific person would have that thought process going on. Females are most concerned about pre-menopause and menopause and the associated symptoms starting in their forties when their minds start thinking about "the change of life" and what it will mean to them individually. Do men think about what life will be like after age 50? It is common knowledge that men can go through what has been termed a "mid-life crisis", is this in some way connected to the issue of male menopause?
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Male Menopause Tips and Facts.
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