Menopause/Manopause: Are men and women really so different?
Hot flushes, low mood, irritability, aches and pains, low sex drive, brain fog: all symptoms that have become synonymous with the female menopause. But interestingly, these are also symptoms that men with testosterone deficiency can experience. Typically, we think of menopause as being a uniquely female problem. By definition menopause is a stopping of menstruation (periods), but perhaps this terminology is outdated, and we should be thinking more of menopause as female oestrogen deficiency? As women reach a certain age, or develop other medical problems, their oestrogen levels drop, and this has a knock-on, adverse effect on their health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally. However, a similar process can also happen in men. Male levels of testosterone tend to fall gradually with age, and while menopause tends to, but not always, occur in the late 40s or early 50s, symptoms of testosterone deficiency are far more variable, occurring in some men at a younger age and in others much later, or not at all.
The loss of oestrogen in women has profound effects on female physical health. It can contribute to loss of muscle mass and bone density, and changes in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as many other changes to skin, hair and general wellbeing. Low testosterone in men can also affect muscle mass, bone health, body composition, sexual function, mood and general wellbeing. Similarly, loss of either oestrogen in women or testosterone in men can be associated with changes in mood, motivation, drive and memory.
When it comes to looking at how we approach treatment for menopause and male testosterone deficiency, once again there are similarities. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an established treatment for menopause in women and is usually a combination of oestrogen and progesterone where appropriate. In men with confirmed testosterone deficiency, testosterone replacement therapy may be considered to replace what is lacking. In both cases, treatment should be based on symptoms, appropriate assessment, blood results where relevant, and individual clinical circumstances.
Historically, we tend to think of menopause as something a male partner has to watch from the sidelines, never really understanding, being able to sympathise, or support his loved one in any meaningful way. After all, how could a man possibly understand what a woman goes through during menopause? But this attitude is increasingly outdated and in approaching hormonal health, we should always look at a patient holistically. If your spouse is going through menopause, sometimes a moment of self-reflection and self-analysis could help you realise that you too are struggling with some of the symptoms we see in our loved one. Menopause is much more than a loss of periods, and testosterone deficiency is much more than erectile dysfunction. When it comes down to it, men and women are not really that different.
If you have concerns about possible testosterone deficiency, you can book an appointment with one of our men’s health specialists.
You can find out more about our testosterone deficiency consultations here
