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When it comes to "menopause", the first image that comes to many people's minds is often a middle-aged woman, with emotional ups and downs, hot flashes and night sweats. Have you ever wondered if men can completely escape the "baptism" of this physiological stage?
Today, we're going to dive into an often overlooked, but real, topic – men's menopause.
Demystifying: Men also have "menopause"?
When it comes to menopause, it's not a woman-only label. Men, as organisms that also experience life cycle changes, will also usher in their own "menopause".
However, compared to women, this physiological stage in men is more insidious and more subtle, so it is often overlooked.
When does "menopause" hit in men?
"Menopause" in men, medically more accurately referred to as "late-onset hypogonadism in men" or "partial androgen deficiency in middle-aged and older men", generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 65, but the specific age varies from person to person.
During this period, androgen levels in men gradually decline, not as dramatically as in women during menopause, but the effects are no less significant.
Diverse performances, have you been recruited?
The manifestations of "menopause" in men are diverse and often vary from person to person. If you or your male friend has one of the following conditions, it may be that "menopause" is quietly at work:
Decreased physical fitness: I used to walk like a flyer, but now I feel powerless, my muscle strength is weakened, my endurance is reduced, and I feel tired easily. This is because androgens play an important role in the growth and maintenance of muscles, and a decrease in androgen levels naturally leads to a decline in muscle function.
Mood swings: irritability, anxiety, depression, mood is like riding a roller coaster, sometimes high and sometimes low. Androgens not only affect bodily functions, but are also involved in regulating mood. Therefore, fluctuations in androgen levels can also lead to mood instability.
Sexual dysfunction: loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, weak ejaculation, etc., these problems often make male friends feel embarrassed and troubled. Androgens are important hormones for maintaining male sexual function, and a decrease in their levels naturally affects sexual function.
Sleep disorders: insomnia, dreaminess, early awakening, and poor sleep quality. Decreased androgen levels affect the sleep regulatory center, leading to sleep disturbances.
Osteoporosis: The risk of fractures increases, and the slightest carelessness may "break the muscles and bones". Androgens have an important effect on the strength and density of bones, and a decrease in androgen levels can lead to osteoporosis.
Memory loss: forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and poor productivity. Androgens also have an effect on cognitive function in the brain, and a decrease in androgen levels may accelerate brain aging.
Cardiovascular problems: elevated blood pressure, dyslipidemia, increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Androgens have a certain protective effect on the cardiovascular system, and a decrease in androgen levels increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Is it disease or natural aging?
At this point, you may wonder: are these manifestations a symptom of "menopause" or a normal natural aging phenomenon? In fact, there is no strict boundary between the two. The symptoms of "menopause" in men are often intertwined with the natural aging process, making it difficult to distinguish between them.
It is important to recognise that whether these symptoms are caused by "menopause" or natural aging, they all have a real impact on men's quality of life. Therefore, we need to face up to these problems and take proactive measures to deal with them.
Male "menopause" from the perspective of traditional culture
In traditional Chinese culture, there is no direct correspondence to the concept of male "menopause". However, the ancients had a deep insight and unique understanding of the changes in the life cycle.
For example, the concept of "Tianqi" was put forward in the "Yellow Emperor's Neijing", which believed that people's reproductive ability and vitality were closely related to the rise and fall of "Tianqi". Although "Tianqi" mainly refers to women's menstruation, the idea of changes in fertility and vitality contained in it also applies to men.
In addition, the ancients also emphasized the idea of "the unity of heaven and man", believing that human life activities are closely related to changes in the natural world. Therefore, in the face of the physiological stage of male "menopause", we can learn from the wisdom of the ancients, pay attention to the physical and mental care, and conform to the laws of nature, so as to achieve a state of physical and mental harmony.
Coping strategy: scientific recuperation, safe and easy
How should we deal with the symptoms of men's menopause? Here are some scientific recommendations:
Eat a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, such as lean meats, fish, legumes, vegetables and fruits. At the same time, it is necessary to control the intake of fat and sugar to avoid the occurrence of obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
Moderate exercise: Consistent with a moderate amount of aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming, etc., can improve cardiopulmonary fitness, enhance muscle strength, and improve sleep quality. In addition, you can also try some strength training to slow down muscle aging.
Psychological adjustment: Maintain a positive and optimistic attitude, learn to release stress, and avoid mood swings. Some relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, etc., can be tried to help relieve anxiety and depression.
Regular medical check-ups: Conduct regular check-ups to identify and deal with potential health problems in a timely manner. In particular, it is important to pay attention to the health of the cardiovascular system, skeletal system, and prostate.
Hormone replacement therapy: For men with more severe symptoms, hormone replacement therapy can be given under the guidance of a doctor. However, it is important to note that hormone replacement therapy is not a one-size-fits-all and has certain risks and side effects, so it should be used with caution.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes that the symptoms of "menopause" in men are related to liver and kidney deficiency, lack of qi and blood, etc. Therefore, it can be used to regulate the body and mind through traditional Chinese medicine conditioning, acupuncture, massage and other methods to achieve a state of balance between yin and yang.
Conclusion: Face up to "menopause" and enjoy a better life
Although male "menopause" is an often overlooked topic, its impact on men's quality of life is real. Through scientific care and proactive coping, we can reduce symptoms, delay aging, and improve quality of life.
At the same time, we should also face up to the existence of this physiological stage, face it with a more peaceful mind, and accept it.
Life is like a journey, and each stage has its own unique scenery and challenges. Male "menopause" is just one of the episodes, as long as we feel and adjust with our hearts, we can continue to enjoy a beautiful journey in life. I hope that every male friend can get through this period safely and welcome a more wonderful life!
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