Yeah, you read that title right. Did you know that there is actually a condition in men that is similar in nature to a woman’s menopause? Well, it’s not exactly the same, and it does have it’s own name: Andropause. I do realize that this blog is written by and for women, but we wives also need to be kept in the loop about medical issues that concern (or can concern) our husbands, right?
Andropause is basically the name given to hormone changes in men. Mostly it involves having a testosterone deficiency. I have read that around age 30, men’s testosterone levels start decreasing gradually. By the time a man is in his fifty’s, he most certainly has experienced some of the symptoms that low T levels bring. According to the Mayo Clinic: “By about age 70, the decrease in a man’s testosterone level can be as much as 50 percent.”
So what are the symptoms of Andropause? Well, although some men can experience a symptom or two when they are younger (20’s-30’s), most men may not notice symptoms until they are nearing 50.
Symptoms can include (but are not limited to):
- Loss/decrease of libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Depression
- Irritability/crankiness
- Night sweats
- Decrease in energy level
- Weight gain (particularly in the gut area)
- Decrease in morning erections
- Hair loss
- Sore breasts
- Shrinking testes
A more in depth look at symptoms can be found here. It seems that the more doctors investigate the more they are finding that low T levels are about much more than just sexual issues. Men with low T levels seem to be at a higher risk for certain diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. These men may also have lower bone density (think Osteoporosis).
Of course other things can cause some of these symptoms, so it’s important to have your husband talk to his doctor if he thinks he may be suffering with low T. It’s very possible that his doctor may catch something else entirely. The only sure method of identifying low T is with a blood test. Yes, there are replacement therapies out there for testosterone, but they are somewhat controversial and risky. Your husband would definitely need to discuss this with his doctor.
We all know how easy it is to get our husbands to go to the doctor 🙄 so ladies, we need to be observant, diligent, and gentle with this issue. It isn’t just about a lack of sexual performance anymore. The health issues should be enough to make us discuss this together, and possibly with our health care professional.
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Christian Nymphos 
True word. Current research is also showing that for men with sub-optimal levels (not completely abnormal) all they need to do to up their testosterone levels is increase their muscle mass. That’s right – hit the gym or the garden or wherever, and lift those weights. Get those muscles working and growing and voila! – we’re good to go again. Also some weight-loss (as little as 10%) works wonders too.
None of what I just mentioned is easy, but the dividends? Oh! how worth it.
As a man who is going through this, the best thing you can do is if you see any of these systems, don’t chalk it up to just being a guy being a jerk. Please take it serious. We men, feel like we can tough through it and right it off with a lot of excuses. I know because I did it.
It got pretty bad to the point, that I had almost all of the symptoms.
I finally swallowed my pride and talked to my doctor. Found out that I had the level equal to 1/3 of an 85-100 year old man, and I am 47.
If he isn’t willing to mention it to his doctor, but will go for an annual exam. Talk to the doctor and see if he can pursue or even do the blood test for testosterone levels.
The first round of medicine did a little, but switched to another brand. I can honestly say that I feel like a new person. It doesn’t mean that the medicine will solve all of the issues, but it clears many of the issues up so hubby can see how him neglecting his health and the symptoms has affected the marriage. That is the guilt that I am working through, but God is teaching me and am blessed to have a wife that didn’t give up on me.
Do what you have to do to get your husband to get the help he needs. There are also books and articles on Low T that are good reading for both hubby and wife.
I joked with wife that maybe God is allowing me to go through this to have a better appreciation for what my wife will go through when she reaches menopause.
Very timely article… my DH just had an annual physical last month. (I’m lucky, he promised me he’d do this once a year on his birthday!) They ran blood work and discovered that he had low T. And… he had many of the symptoms above, but we didn’t know they were related and connected. He’s 48. The changes in his body were really getting him down. He started T shots and has had 2 so far. They are already doing wonders! He’s feeling much better, things are working better, and he’s feeling more like himself.
I can’t wait to see how well he’s feeling after a few more treatments 🙂
As a 51 yr old husband and 26 yrs married, I was diagnosed with low T after my doctor did a FULL blood test. My level was 25% of what it was supposed to be at my age and it definitely was affecting me and my marriage. I lacked energy and enthusiasm and told my doctor I would rather pursue going to bed early 8:30 PM to get a good night’s sleep versus pursuing my wife and having sex. I much preferred sleep to sex. If we made love more than 2 times per month we were fortunate and not that sex is ALL IMPORTANT for a good marriage, but it is part of God’s wonderful plan and I was finding that not caring about having sex made me not really care about my 45 yr old wife (and very vibrant). So I want to encourage men to make sure they are getting the MOST out of their later years and get a blood test to see if you have low T. I have been taking T shots every 2-3 weeks and have ad 5 shots so far and it has dramatically changed the way I feel and care about things and most importantly it has helped my marriage. I feel like I’m courting my wife all over again and it is fun – very fun.
I also want to mention that sexual performance, often labeled as low libido, may in fact be directly related to physiological dehydration. Without a lot of dissertation on this, I encourage men (women, encourage your men as well) to drink a tall glass of water before advancing with your wife, drink less alcohol, and less coffee, and you will find your sexual performance to be much better! You will be much more engorged and your climax will be greater for yourself and your wife. Women can also directly enjoy the benefits of more water intake. It will allow for greater secretion of lube and orgasmic juices, heightened sensitivity, and reduce the intensity of (and possibly eliminate) those post-climactic headaches. Pure water is best. Chlorinated/treated water may create other issues. Food for thought.
I am so very greatful for this post. DH was diagnosed with PTA about 7 years ago, being his heart we were not taking any risks, he was put on Noten, since then he has suffered ED off and on, we just assumed he was tired or stressed or maybe the medication.
Last week I noticed his testicles had become smaller, again I thought maybe it had something to do with the fact that he has zero sperm (doctors are not sure why) and one of his testicles is smaller than the other. I researched into atrified testicals and brought my concerns to him, he was so wonderfully patient with my suggestions. He has a Dr’s appointment in the morning, and will be requesting testosterone testing etc.
Reading the above symptoms and information has given us something else to discuss with the Dr. Thankyou for all the input, something like this situation can really cause one to feel isolated and helpless.
I’m so proud of my husband, when his “SAMpson” starts going soft he doesn’t back down, he keeps on fighting through until he reaches the finish line. Here’s hoping for some headway tomorrow.
You have such a wonderful attitude! Your DH is blessed to have you!
Thankyou browneyedgirl, your kindness is appreciated ((hugs)). Well, DH and I made it to the dr’s, he was feeling a bit nervous and speechless so I gave him a gentle squeeze of reassurance to his leg to encourage him. The Dr was wonderful, he looked at DH’s medical history and ordered for hormone tests of testosterone etc to be run. He also sent us home with some tablets called “Cialis” for us to trial for the ED until we get the test results back.
DH and I felt so blessed, not only did this christian Dr listen to DH’s concerns but he involved me in the conversation which really helped me not to feel left out. DH and I know this is about “us” not him so it was important to the both of us to be involved.
After reading an article her on CN I also made an appointment with a female Dr, I was so concerned she would refuse hormone testing etc as i’ve found with other dr’s in the past, little did I know that God had gone ahead of the situation and she ordered tests for hormones, thyroid,kidney,liver,iron,b12 etc before I even got to ask her. It really feels like our lives are really moving forward. Praise God.
It looks like we have a winner, DH used his “Cialis” ED tablet this morning, he only took half of the 20mg on dr’s instructions. Within an hour he wanted to try it out, …WOWSERS!!! what a difference, before the tablet he would be firm but his “SAMpson” would start softening within a few minutes, after the tablet “SAMpson” would be more than firm, he was hard and remained hard right up until DH ejaculated. It was a very different sensation going from firm to hard it was really surprising to both of us. We’ll contiue to experiment and have fun doing it. ((Grins))