Have you seen the men around you act weird of late, or if you are a man yourself, then have you been getting an eerie feeling? This may not be just a general feeling of sickness, but a sign of male menopause! The masculine term for this weird feeling of going blue sometimes to experiencing low libido at others is called andropause. This may seem to be unbelievable news; however, more and more studies are suggesting the same. What we call "mid-life crisis," now appears to be a documented illness that men usually face during their middle age.

The Male Hormones

The male sex hormones named testosterone or androgens are responsible for the development of male characteristics. It initiates enlargement of the penis and testes, growth of facial and pubic hair, deepening of the voice, increase in muscle mass and strength, and growth in height during puberty. In adults, this testosterone works in maintaining the sex drive, the production of sperm cells, and muscle mass. As one age, this testosterone level declines naturally; however, the good news for men is that this decline is far less dramatic than it is with women. While for women, menopause means a sharp decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels; in men, the drop in testosterone is much more subtle.

Causes

For some men, menopause occurs naturally; however, it has been observed that more often than not, andropause gets triggered by an illness, depression, dementia, and obesity. Certain diseases attack the heart and lungs that may further affect the production of testosterone. Those men who are found to have autoimmune diseases or cancer are found to be at a higher risk of low testosterone levels compared with other healthy individuals.

The Signs

Common signs and symptoms that men face during their andropause are:

• Reduced Sexual Desire
• Infertility
• Sinking in body size due to the thinning of bones
• The decrease in muscle strength.

You will find that the most common symptoms experienced by men with low testosterone are a diminished sex drive (experienced by 80% of men) and a fall in the ability to get an erection. Men may begin to develop a distaste for sex and should consult a doctor to rejuvenate their sexual health before it is too late.

You need to be on the bright side of life; watch out for a sulking middle age! Do not get low.