IO – While women are familiar with the term “menopause”, it is “andropause” that can possibly attack men. The term “andropause” is a popular one for testosterone deficiency syndrome. In fact, men do not always experience andropause, different from women who will inevitably reach menopause. What’s the explanation?
Andropause is defined as a decrease in testosterone hormones that can occur in the aging process, but the process progresses gradually to a condition where men feel disturbed by their sexual activity. Men who experience andropause will experience decreased sex drive so that the frequency and desire for sexual activity might drop away. Dr. Heru H. Oentoeng, M. Repro, Sp. an andrologist specialist from Siloam Kebon Jeruk Hospital, explains that andropause is not only related to sexual activities but also interferes with the physical condition of men, as it can affect muscle strength, affect psychological condition, trigger bone loss, and more. Menopausal women also experience physical setbacks, but are generally quicker than men because their hormones drop drastically. In men, andropause generally progresses at a slower rate.
There are 10 symptoms or physical signs of andropause or testosterone deficiency syndrome that can occur: 1) libido or decreased sexual drive; 2) feeling weak, less energy; 3) durability and physical strength decline; 4) decreased body height; 5) reduced enjoyment of living; 6) quickly upset; 7) less erectile; 8) decreased ability in sports; 9) often drowsy and sleepy after dinner; 10) a change or decrease in work performance.
When experiencing these symptoms, a man could be said to suffer from testosterone deficiency syndrome, so what needs to be evaluated is that it is likely that the rate of testosterone production drops. Decreased testosterone hormones often occur in men who experience symptoms of erectile dysfunction (symptoms number 7) thus disturbing sexual life.
Lifestyle
Andropause can be experienced by men 40-45 years old with obesity, diabetics, cholesterol, high blood pressure or metabolic syndrome, so the testosterone hormone will rapidly decline until finally manifesting in physical and sexual disorders. In men aged 60-70 years who can maintain their physical condition, testosterone hormones will decrease more slowly. Many andropause complaints are experienced by men in the midst of a modern lifestyle when they like to relax, not move much, and when an era of technology allows them to do little, movement and activity is diminished. A lazy moving lifestyle (mager) accelerates a decrease in testosterone hormones, including in adult men. This mager lifestyle creates an increased andropause complaint although a healthy living campaign has been announced by improving the lifestyle first. Food or dietary factors are also influential in relation to cholesterol, high blood pressure or sugar disorders. Likewise sleep, recreation and addictive substances that contain poison, like cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.
Men who experience andropause should improve their lifestyle so that existing problems such as metabolic diseases including obesity, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and others are easily addressed by a doctor. If the problem has been resolved medically, the andropause can be cured and the man can regain intense sexual activities, his erections recovered, including ejaculation and orgasm. A spouse also has to support the husband who is experiencing andropause, realizing that if women experience menopause, men can also experience andropause so they do not directly accuse the husband of having an affair if the husband is reluctant to have sex. The most important thing is communication between couples because it’s unlikely that the wife is forced to have sex when the husband experiences andropause. Wives should also help to stimulate the spouse when they want to have sex.
Requires Good Communication
A healthy lifestyle and good communication with a partner will keep men from experiencing andropause or decreasing testosterone hormones. By maintaining a lifestyle with enough exercise, a good diet, no smoking, no alcohol or drugs, good sleeping hours, enough recreation, good communication with a partner, and feeling happy every day, then men will not experience andropause. If ever since youth age they have been living a proper and organized lifestyle, it will most likely prevent them from experiencing andropause.
In this case, healthy lifestyle could maintain the testosterone hormone in order not to rapidly decrease and will keep men fit. One is a sports activity based on FITT, paying more attention to Frequency, Intensity, Type and Time. Ideal exercise frequency is 30 minutes per day, at least 150 minutes per week or equal to five times a week. Sports intensity should be around mild to moderate level and should not be too heavy. For example, sports with regular or steady movements such as swimming, treadmills or fast-walking, static bicycles. Otherwise, it’s allowed to do skipping, light jogging or rowing etc. The easiest, inexpensive and easy to remember is the fast-walking one, static bikes and swimming at least five times a week with mild to moderate intensity.
If you want to spend more than 30 minutes it is also allowed but don’t take too long. Sports types can also be added such as basketball, tennis, volleyball, futsal, golf, badminton and other sports but the recommended ones are swimming, treadmills or static bikes, because other sports have too many random movements. If you have been exposed to andropause then exercise regularly according to FITT method and improvements might happen along the way.
Implementing a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to adhere to a tight schedule, such as strict to a morning exercise, but the important one is enjoying life and stay healthy. Exercise can be done after work and changing perceptions, because healthy living starts from perceptions of not being lazy to move and there is a commitment to regular exercise, healthy eating, recreation, adequate sleep and avoiding hazardous additives such as smoking, alcohol and drugs. On the other hand, communication within couples must be well maintained. (esti)