It’s easy to
joke about this stage in men’s lives and talk about older men buying motorbikes
or fast cars or developing new and unusual hobbies. But some men experience frequent and intense
symptoms similar to those experienced by women including hot flushes, mood
swings, depression, low libido and erectile dysfunction.
So what’s
going on? Well, as men enter
their 40s and move into their 50s and 60s, the balance of their reproductive
hormones starts to change. Levels of testosterone,
which is important for a healthy heart and healthy bones, start to fall. The balance of oestrogen and progesterone
changes and this can lead to weight gain and aggressive behaviour. The
hormone DHEA (dihydroepiandrosterone) gives both men and women a sense of
vitality, energy, drive and motivation.
Production of this hormone declines over time which can lead to a lack
of stamina and wellbeing.
Most men will
pass though the andropause with minimal symptoms. But men who are experiencing these symptoms
in a way that is impacting on their lives and relationships should seek medical
advice. There are medications that can
help with individual symptoms including hormone replacement therapies.
Lifestyle
changes, such as reducing alcohol intake, stopping smoking, improving diet, and
exercising, will help to control symptoms.
There is a
range of complementary therapies that can help to mitigate symptoms and support
men’s health through this period. Hypnotherapy
has been shown to be particularly effective in helping women who experience hot
flushes, particularly when hypnosis includes visualisation of cool images.
Hypnotherapy
techniques can also be used to help with weight control, sleep issues, mood
swings and to manage stress. Men can be
taught self-hypnosis so that they can take control of their symptoms. Hypnosis recordings can also be very
effective.
You can find
more advice at http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/male-menopause/pages/introduction.aspx
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