I suppose the label Men No Pause will be the choicest of labels most men after 50 would want to put on their doors when they meet friends of similar ages to brag about their colorful lives, their women conquest, the fast cars they have and the overseas trips they made. Of course there will be no mention of failing health or failing memory or failing strength, everything is fine if not better as though age freeze for them. Their better halves of course will have their own sessions. They are very much down to earth as they know age has caught up with them and they will not hesitate to be very open about their failing health, their ailing body and the number of trips they have to make to see their personal doctors and the number of trips they have to make to see their personal beautician for make over’s.
Women of all ages are aware of the term menopause unlike men who only know that men no pause. In fact there is this saying that life begins at 40 for men! That implies that before 40 they are children or teenager. That’s not surprising when you can see middle age men before 40 still hold on their membership in Youth Clubs and Youth Section of political parties!
Men as women do go through aging process or rather they pass through the golden year that is a real challenge to their health. In women their reproductive function ceased as they menopause. The female hormones wane dramatically following symptoms suggestive of emergence of menopause like flushes, mood swings, panic attacks, insomnia, palpitation, anxiety, loss of libido and depression. Other than that there is this tendency of contracting some chronic illness like hypertension, diabetes, coronary diseases etc. which is part of aging.
With regard to fertility, similar changes are taking place in the males as well. After 50, their fertility wanes but not ceased. That’s probably the reason why they keep trying to knock down young women even their artilleries are in bad shape. They produce less sperms with poor quality and started to have problems with their sexual prowess and especially if they contract diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and coronary diseases. More than a third of them will have prostate problems, like enlarged prostate that might have a negative influence in their sexual function because of frequency in passing urine.
Having low testosterone does not just affect their libido. Testosterone is important for men. It is this elixir that gives them the male characteristics, the so called macho and virility. The very same hormone gives them the strength, the lean body mass, the muscle bulk, the bone strength, the heat and of course the libido. It is this hormone that maintains sperm production and sensitizes the sex center to respond to sexual desire. Just imagine what will happen if that very same hormone level dwindles down. This situation is called Andropause and sometime is also known as male menopause. You see a pathetic looking male with no sting. He sometimes look frail, no muscle, only bones and skin. He may appear grumpy and quarrelsome. He will have similar symptoms as seen in menopausal women like flushes, night sweats, insomnia, loss of memory, palpitations and specifically in men loss of nocturnal erections and looking fatigue. If this is something that is welcoming to him then it’s alright.
No men would want to be in that state, looking hopeless and helpless.
Like menopause, Andropause is now a recognized health issue in men. Men with ‘late onset hypogonadism’ or LOH as it is also being known as can be treated by Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Before testosteone is instituted, the aging male need to go for a medical assessment to evaluate his health status. His medical condition if any need to be treated. His prostate will be evaluated prior to providing him testosterone therapy. Since this therapy can be for life time, he needs to come for regular follow-up to monitor his prostate and general health. There is also alternative therapy in the form of herbal supplementation. Certain herbs like Tribulus terrestis and Eurycoma longifolia or Tongkat Ali have been found to stimulate the adrenals and testicles in producing natural testosterone. The water soluble extract have been found to be useful with less side effects. If he has problems with his prowess, medication that can improve blood flow to his genital organs can help, if the medication is suitable for him.
Men need not stay behind and suffer in silent. They need to emulate their better halves in opening up and take charge of their health. Putting the Men No Pause sign will not help. The signage should be Men Do Pause.
