Essential knowledge regarding men and their golden years

• When men reach the age of 40, they undergo a decrease in testosterone levels, which has an effect on various bodily functions, including muscle growth, metabolic rates, bone strength and sexual desire. All of this means that they have entered their “golden years”.
• Men in their golden years do not tend to experience such clear symptoms as their female counterparts do with menopause. However, the most obvious symptoms are usually a reduced sex drive that includes a decrease in sexual organ strength, feelings of weakness and even doubts about their quality of life and happiness, which in some cases can lead to depression. Additionally, men in their golden years may experience a decrease in sporting ability alongside decreased efficiency at work.
• A diet with an emphasis on food which can help to nurture hormones can help reduce the severity of the symptoms. Such foods include salmon, nuts and grains, green vegetables, egg yolks, watermelon, asparagus and oysters, as these contain high levels of z This mineral helps slow the aging process. However, those with high cholesterol should be especially careful when choosing what to eat.

Men now in their “golden years” may once have been a formidable presence, able to make women feel enraged, moody or even weak at the knees. The fact is, however, these golden years are a period of time which both men and women must go through.

A man’s “golden years” occur as a result of his testosterone levels naturally decreasing with age. Testosterone is the main hormone responsible for making men what they are. These hormones play an important role in terms of sexual reproduction, as well as with numerous other bodily systems, including muscle growth, metabolism and bone strength. Therefore, when testosterone levels begin to decline from the age of 40 onwards, it can have a huge physical and mental effect on the person, with those in the medical field now referring to this process as the “andropause”.

1. Decreased sexual desire
2. Feeling weak
3. Decrease in strength and endurance
4. Reduction in height
5. Lower happiness levels
6. Feelings of dissatisfaction and depression
7. Decrease in the strength of the male sexual organ
8. Decrease in sporting abilities
9. Feeling sleepy after consuming an evening meal
10. Decreased work efficiency

If a man experiences symptom 1, symptom 7 or a combination of any three other symptoms, this may mean there has been a decrease in the male hormones and that medical attention should be sought.

Some facts about men and andropause:

• As men age, they will experience a reduction in their testosterone or male hormone levels. However, the levels will not be reduced to zero as happens to women during the menopause.
• Men entering the andropause tend not to display any obvious symptoms when compared to women of the same age, for whom 75% will experience symptoms (with half of these women also requiring medical treatment for their symptoms).
• Diagnosing men who are going through the changes associated with the andropause is much more difficult than diagnosing their female counterparts. The reason is that women who are going through menopause or are close to entering menopause, they usually display obvious symptoms, such as hot flushes, feelings of frustration and insomnia.
• It is not possible to analyze conclusively how much testosterone levels have dropped to identify whether a man is entering andropause, whereas for women this process involves a blood test that can offer accurate results.
• Treatment for males entering andropause with hormone therapy tends to yield much less effective results than when used in the treatment of women.

Preparing for the onset of the andropause

• Diet: Try to avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar, while placing an emphasis on food which can nurture testosterone hormones, such as salmon, nuts and grains, green vegetables, egg yolk, watermelon, asparagus and oysters, all of which contain high levels of zinc. However, those with high cholesterol should be especially careful when selecting what to eat.
• Exercise: Partake in exercise which lasts at least 30 minutes per session, five times per Focus on large muscle group conditioning as well as cardiovascular workouts, such as running, cycling and weight training.
• Temperament: Have an awareness of the changes that your body is going through. Practice mental wellbeing and try to view life in a positive light. Try your best not to get frustrated or withdraw from society, as meeting up with friends can help relieve stress and keep you feeling fresh and invigorated. Be sure to increase your participation in outdoor activities as another form of stress relief and to avoid being alone for long periods.
• Medical attention: When the reduction in hormones results in a decreased quality of life or has a severe effect on the sex life of the person involved, medical attention should be sought in order to carry out a full body checkup and provide appropriate treatment. Generally, doctors will only consider a short course of hormone therapy to avoid any negative effects which could affect the prostate, heart and coronary arteries.

Andropause is just another change that the male body must undergo as it ages. If the condition is understood and awareness is created of how to prepare for this phase of life, it could reduce frustration and anxiety and even prevent the potential effects on those around them. Nevertheless, members of the family should provide encouragement and remain by the man’s side in order to help find solutions to any associated health issues that may arise.