Andropause - Male Menopause?

What is andropause? "Midlife crisis" -- this is often the transitional period for men when they experience what is termed as the second childhood. This period usually starts from age 40 to 45. It is also called andropause or male menopause because its symptoms coincide with the decrease in a class of male hormones called androgen. All men are affected, although some to
a larger degree than others. A thorough knowledge of the underlying hormonal and physiological changes will better prepare all males to deal with this phase of life. By the time men are between the ages of 40 and 55, they can experience a phenomenon similar to the female menopause, called Andropause. Unlike women, men do not have a clear-cut external signpost such as the cessation of menstruation to mark this transition. Both, however, are distinguished by a drop in hormone levels. Estrogen in the female, testosterone in the male. The bodily changes occur very gradually in men and may be accompanied by changes in attitudes and moods, fatigue, a loss of energy, sex drive and physical agility. What's more, studies show that this decline in testosterone can actually put one at risk of other health problems like heart disease and weak bones. Since all this happens at a time of life when many men begin to question their values, accomplishments and direction in life, it's often difficult to realize that the changes occurring are related to more than just external conditions.
Unlike menopause, which generally occurs in women during their mid-forties to mid-fifties, men's "transition" may be much more gradual and expand over many decades. Attitude, psychological stress, alcohol, injuries or surgery, medications, obesity and infections can contribute to its onset.
Although with age, a decline in testosterone levels will occur in virtually all men, there is no way of predicting who will experience Andropausal symptoms of sufficient severity to seek medical help. Neither is it predictable at what age symptoms will occur in a particular individual. Each man's symptoms may be also different.