Every day, or almost, we hear about menopausebut how many would know how to define the phenomenon of andropause that men face? To understand what happens when the symptoms of Andropause manifest themselves and how to intervene if these also undermine the serenity and well -being of the couple, we interviewed Dr. Massimo Capone, Andrologist surgeon, which for over thirty years has been taking care of the well -being and health of patients in Trieste, Udine and Milan.
Dr. Capone, what is andropause and why are you talking less than menopause?
«In popular jargon, he defines himself ‘Andropausa’ a exquisitely male condition, In which there is a reduction in the production of hormones, especially of the most ‘famous’ among them, that is, testosterone. In normal male physiology, in fact, with aging tends to also decrease the production of this hormone, in a percentage and with an extremely variable speed from individual to individual. On average, it is estimated that Starting from 30 years the testosterone level decreases by about 1% per year, while in subjects over the age of 60 this percentage rises up to 20%.
With the advance of age, the activity of testosterone also decreases, as an increasing fraction is blocked by the link with the proteins that transport it to the blood, precisely because of the greater synthesis of these proteins. Obviously this is a statistical average which, from a clinical point of view, must be taken with due precautions for the great symptomatic variability of the subjects involved “.
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Can we consider andropause as a male menopause?
«Even if the term entered the secular lexicon by assonance with the female condition known as menopauseas a doctor I feel in obligation to underline the marked differences between the two conditions. While menopause has a precise beginning, coinciding with the cessation of menstruation and the abrupt fall of the levels of estrogen in the blood, with a series of fairly constant symptoms and which, above all, affects every woman, In humans, the reduction of testosterone production by the testicles gradually proceeds, without a precise beginning, Giving rise to symptoms that present themselves with intensity and frequency variable from individual to individual ».
What are the symptoms of andropause?
«The symptoms can vary a lot; Often only in a reduced percentage of individuals, the masculine hormone levels drop so much to seriously compromise the quality of life (not only from a sexual point of view). For these reasons in medicine We prefer to talk about late debut hypogonadism (Loh) When testosterone levels drop below a certain limit, but for convenience we can continue to use the term of andropause to indicate the set of sexual and non -sex signs and symptoms, characteristic of male aging associated with the decrease in testosterone in the blood “.
How can a man realize that he has entered the andropause? What are the signals/symptoms to pay attention to?
«The event can vary enormously from subject to subject. Some men can experience mild symptoms with relatively modest variations of their normal quality of life even in the advanced period of biological existence. Given this, I would distinguish i Symptoms of the sexual sphere (reduction of sexual desire, erotic ideation and erectile dysfunction) from those extra-sexuals, As: alterations of the mood tone with a tendency to depression, easy irritability, cognitive alterations such as difficulty concentration, reduction of physical efficiency and resistance to fatigue with decrease in muscle mass, Increase in body weight By increase in fat mass, anemiabone fragility, thinning of the skin and reduction of hair and hair. It can therefore be said that the andropause, unlike menopause, has a often nuanced start, with a non -defined temporal origin, in which The subject’s psychology also plays a lotas well as his emotional, emotional and character stability.
The consultation with the reference specialist doctor, that is theAndrologistcan be useful to identify subjects in which the reduction of male hormone levels is such as to justify the Replacement therapy with testosteronecompared to those in which disorders have a different origin and a different therapy ».
Since the andropyusa can also imply problems related to the sexual sphere of couple, how to deal with the changes that can affect intimacy?
“With the incede of age, the way of living one’s own sexuality It undergoes significant variations, often linked not only to physiological changes, but also (and above all) to past experiences, as well as the awareness of what, reached at a certain age, may like less or more. The starting point consists in becoming aware of this, keeping the level of communication in the couple high To gradually adapt the sexual relationship to new situations, also with the help of drugs and aids able to maintain the mutual level of attraction among the partners.
In fact, I would like to remember that the human being is a social animal without any doubt, but that he always tends to establish, even in the late age, profound bonds with a narrow nucleus of his fellow men. The relationship of couple is precisely the core of this ancestral human trend, and it is therefore necessary (and convenient) to refine the relationship with your partner or your partner more and more, especially in adulthood of life, too sharing the necessary steps of physiological adaptation ».
He is talking about it, writes and discusses for a while. And confirmation also comes from the National Congress of the Italian Society Geriatrics Hospital and Territory in Bari. Sexuality is a fundamental component also of the third age
What can he do (and what shouldn’t he do) a woman in front of a partner in andropause?
«In the event that there is a clear symptomatic manifestation ofandropauseI would say that, first of all, The partner must be aware and aware of the situation, even adequately informing itself. In fact, one of the main problems that unfortunately involve many couples, is just the scarce, or even sometimes absent, health information. In particular, the knowledge of andrology and sexology are still taboo for a part of the population. Being aware of the problems that man can afflict in the falling phase of life, as it is constantly done for the woman, can instead do be better Not only the male patient, but also his partner. Companion who should First of all, do not blame the partner, But help him not to isolate himself and stimulate him in awareness of the problem by encouraging him, if it is the case, to request the intervention of the specialist.To avoid the absolute minimization of the male problem With topics such as: “Don’t worry about me sex is no longer important”and even more the refusal, often with false arguments such as: “These medicines can be dangerous, it would be better if you didn’t take them!” any use of drugs or other prescriptions indicated by the specialist. There sex lifethe power and the prowess in relationships with one’s partner, as well as fertility, are extremely important concepts for man, as well as motherhood, femininity and feeling beautiful and desired are intrinsically important ancestral concepts for women. Understand that sexual efficiency, in all phases of life, is integral part of the perception of well -being by the individual and formidable engine of his social relations is of extreme importance. And it must be well understood by both him and her ».
Source: Vanity Fair
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