22. Symptoms and proper management of male menopausal syndrome

Menopausal health care

Male menopause syndrome

Male menopause syndrome is a type of condition that occurs in men as they transition from adulthood to old age, due to the gradual decline of kidney qi leading to dysfunction of the internal organs.

A man's life goes through two transitional periods. One is the transition from childhood to adulthood, called puberty, during which the reproductive organs gradually mature and begin to have the ability to reproduce. The other period is from adulthood to old age, called menopause, during which reproductive function gradually declines until it eventually disappears.

It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when a man enters menopause. Some scholars believe that after age 40, a man's testicles gradually decrease in weight, begin to shrink after age 50, and their sperm production capacity gradually declines, with testicular function gradually diminishing from its peak. However, unlike a woman's ovaries, a man's testicles do not shrink as easily. Testicular function declines gradually over several years, resulting in a gradual decrease in androgen secretion, unlike the abrupt drop in estrogen levels seen in women during menopause. Therefore, the physiological responses in men are not as pronounced as in women, and they are often able to gradually adapt to this decrease in androgen secretion.

However, due to individual differences in physical condition, some men often cannot adapt to this change in androgen secretion, resulting in various uncomfortable symptoms, which is menopausal syndrome. The main manifestations include:

Mental aspect

Symptoms include suspicion, anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, reduced sleep, headaches, fear, loneliness, and feelings of disappointment.

Circulatory system

Palpitations, high blood pressure, and unstable cardiovascular function, etc.

Sexual function

Low libido, weak erection, and poor erection.

Other aspects

Obesity, edema, joint pain, dizziness, etc.

Around the age of 40, men begin to experience various burdens, both at work and at home, leading to phobias and depression, which should actually be called menopausal syndrome.

Menopausal syndrome can affect sexual function, a fact that receives more attention than other symptoms. Some people take aphrodisiacs indiscriminately due to decreased sexual function, but this is ineffective. Although a decrease in testosterone (androgens) can lead to a decline in sexual ability to some extent, generally speaking, this decline is not due to age or decreased testosterone, but rather to psychological factors-a result of the interaction between physical aging and psychological stress.

From a physiological perspective, male menopause is a normal physiological process and not a disease. The various symptoms or disorders are temporary and generally do not pose a threat to health. As long as one maintains a stable mood, a cheerful disposition, eliminates anxiety and tension, and treats the condition correctly, the various manifestations of menopausal syndrome can be eliminated.

Properly addressing male menopause

Menopause is the transitional period from maturity to aging, marking the shift from middle age to old age. It is a physiological phenomenon, typically occurring in men around 55-65 years of age. Menopause is mainly characterized by a decline or imbalance in endocrine function, particularly noticeable changes in the gonads. These changes, to varying degrees, cause a series of imbalances within the body, weakening the stability of the nervous system and mental functions, and reducing adaptability to the environment. Consequently, symptoms such as lack of energy, memory loss, irritability, dizziness, headaches, poor concentration, anxiety, depression, suspicion, palpitations, excessive sweating, loss of appetite, and impotence may occur.

Having understood the physiological and pathological basis of this period, we should eliminate any feelings of unease and greet its arrival with optimism, cheerfulness, and magnanimity, so that we can successfully overcome this challenge. Specifically, how should we do this?

First, we know that psychological factors can cause changes in physiological functions through the regulation of the nervous and humoral systems. Therefore, it is important to stabilize emotions, eliminate worries and doubts, avoid stimulation, eliminate various psychological conflicts and potential unpleasant factors, and cultivate a broad-minded and cheerful attitude. Even when feeling down and about to become agitated or angry, try to control yourself or quickly go for a walk outdoors, or talk to a close friend to distract yourself and quickly get rid of negative psychological states. In addition, outdoor activities can excite the motor cortex of the brain, inhibiting the thinking part and allowing it to rest, thus avoiding negative thoughts. For example, take walks after work, practice Qigong, Tai Chi, or jogging. Activities suitable for men of this age, such as fishing, gardening, and painting, are also beneficial. At the same time, pay attention to rest. Sufficient rest can eliminate fatigue and allow the body's various physiological functions and nervous system to reach their optimal state, preventing or alleviating various menopausal symptoms. Soak your feet in warm water before bed, relax your whole body, and fall asleep peacefully. Finally, it's worth mentioning that wives should pay special attention to and care for their husbands during this special period. Because husbands are going through a transitional phase, both physiologically and psychologically, they are prone to various discomforts, irritability, mood swings, and other abnormal behaviors. Wives should be understanding of their husbands' out-of-control or impolite behavior, offering care and support in daily life, and providing comfort and guidance emotionally.

In short, every stage of our lives has its unique brilliance, but nothing is ever truly perfect. Just as autumn is the season of falling leaves, it is also the season of harvest. For men going through menopause, the most important thing is to recognize the value of the positive factors in this stage of life, maintain a good mood, and use a positive attitude to create a happy and fulfilling life.

Menopausal women should pay attention to their diet and health care.

Modern medicine believes that, regardless of gender, as people transition from middle age to old age, their endocrine functions, especially gonadal function, decline accordingly, potentially leading to menopausal syndrome. Because male menopause occurs later than female menopause, generally between 50 and 60 years of age, its onset is slow and symptoms are mild, making it easily overlooked.

In terms of physical appearance, pathological menopause manifests as a decline in muscle development and strength compared to youth, with increased skin fat leading to a rounder, plumper figure and significant weight gain, often referred to as "weight gain." This is caused by metabolic disorders within the body.

Therefore, in terms of diet, it's important to reduce the consumption of high-sugar foods and increase the intake of foods rich in protein, calcium, and various vitamins, paying attention to a balanced diet: chicken, fish, and rabbit meat are easily absorbed and can be consumed in moderation; beans and their products not only contain a large amount of plant-based protein but are also a "warehouse" of essential trace elements; fresh vegetables provide a large amount of vitamins and should be a staple in the diet. It's also important to maintain a low-salt, light, and moderately fatty diet, avoiding overeating. Don't eat too much at dinner, and if possible, consume 1-2 teaspoons of honey daily.

Most men experience a decline in sexual function and libido after entering male menopause. Many suffer from this and seek treatments to prolong their sexual activity. While older men shouldn't have excessive sexual activity, they also shouldn't abstain. Prolonged abstinence can reduce sperm production. Therefore, sexual activity should be normalized, and its frequency varies from person to person. In terms of diet, it's recommended to eat more foods that improve and enhance gonadal function. Generally, when gonadal function improves, the various symptoms of male menopause can be alleviated.

Foods that can improve and enhance gonadal function include: shrimp, mutton, sparrow, sheep kidney, leeks, and walnuts. Suitable dishes include mutton and cistanche porridge, stewed mutton with cistanche, stir-fried sheep kidney with eucommia, braised duck with cordyceps, stir-fried shrimp with leeks, stir-fried walnuts with leeks, sparrow porridge, ginseng wine, and premium yam.

Male menopause often manifests as mental and neurological symptoms, such as irritability, insomnia, headaches, memory loss, anxiety, fatigue, and unstable cardiovascular function. Therefore, consuming foods that improve the nervous and cardiovascular systems can help calm the mind and alleviate symptoms of these disorders.

Foods that improve the nervous and cardiovascular systems include: lamb heart, pork heart, yam, walnuts, jujubes, longan, mulberries, tea and scutellaria cakes, ginseng and jujube rice, mulberry honey paste, walnut porridge, candied longan, and rose-roasted lamb heart. Practice has shown that these foods are effective in treating headaches, dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, and cold or numb hands and feet.

In addition, it's important to drink less alcohol and smoke less, and ideally, avoid strong liquor and smoking altogether. This is because alcohol and nicotine have adverse effects on the central nervous system.