Dr Preeti Jindal, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Max Super Specialty Hospital (MSSH),Mohali addressing Senior Citizens during a health talk on ‘Andropause, the lesser known truth’ held at MSSH, Mohali on Sunday.
Mohali, February 23, 2014: As many as 100 senior citizens attended a health talk on ‘Andropause, the lesser known truth’ held at Max Super Specialty Hospital (MSSH),Mohali today.
Speaking during occasion , Dr Preeti Jindal, Sr Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MSSH, Mohali said that there was ample information about menopause among women but few Indian men would know that something akin to menopause could affect them too. In India about 35% of men between 40-80 years were affected by Andropause, the male counterpart of the Menopause, that affected women. Most of them would get a shock on learning that they suffer from, or at a risk of Andropause, also known as ADAMs disease ( Androgen Deficiency in Ageing Males).”
She said further unfortunately unlike female menopause the Andropause was much less recognized and still considered a taboo. It was a natural cessation of the sexual function in the older men and was caused by a decline in the testosterone, the male hormone. ADAMs prevalence was rising in the North India. The primary symptoms of Andropause did not just related to the loss of sexual function and libido in males, but also a simultaneous decreased in the bone density and muscle mass and sometimes obesity.”
Interestingly Andopause appeared in literature in 1952. It usually starts after the age of 30, as after that an annual drop of 1 % is recorded in testosterone levels.
But not many men would seek doctors help for two reasons due to one social stigma or the other lack of awareness, pointed out DR. Jindal. It was estimated that 70% men with ADAMs diseases remained undiagnosed because of ignorance. Many would accepted their deteorating strength and vigour as a part of natural ageing process, informed Dr Jindal.
Due to declining testosterone levels, men would undergo problems like fatigue, memory loss, frequent anger, anxiety, irritability, sudden loss or gain in weight, lethargy, restlessness, but not able to reason the changes. The main pointers were low sex drive, decreased muscle mass, loss of muscular strength, remarked Dr Jindal.
Andropause might be related to the slow but steady reduction of the production of the hormones testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone in middle-aged men, and the consequences of that reduction. The drop in testosterone levels wa considered to lead in some cases to erectile dysfunction, diabetes, loss of energy and concentration, depression, and mood swings. While Andropause did not cause a man's reproductive system to stop working altogether, many would experience bouts of impotence, maintained Dr Jindal.
Some more facts about Andropause
ANDROPAUSE: is a medical phenomena, similar to female menopause, which can affect men between 40 and 55 years. Unlike women, men don’t have clear cut signs indicating transition. Thus they may experience a variety of physical and mental changes and yet not understand the reasons behind them.
CAUSE: With age, testosterone levels (principal male sex hormone) decrease causing Andropause. Recent international studies show that testosterone levels generally decrease by one or two percent each year after the age of 30, although decline varies widely.
SYMPTOMS; Different men show diverse symptoms. But broadly they include lethargy, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, muscle weakness and aches, inability to sleep, forgetfulness, hot flashes, night sweat, depression, infertility, abdominal obesity and thinning of bones or bone loss.
DIAGNOSIS: Andropause can be diagnosed by measuring testosterone levels in blood. Urologists use serum testosterone blood test.
TREATMENT: Doctors may advise hormone replacement therapy. Certain skin patches and creams are also used to deliver testosterone into blood in a non invasive manner, but experts recommend strict medical supervision.
PREVENTIVE CARE: Some current studies suggest that smoking and high cholesterol levels may trigger early Andropause. So quitting the two habits is advised. Regular exercise helps in maintaining muscle and bone mass . Since stress could also be a contributing factor, taking to yoga and meditation in middle age is recommended.//punjab news live, punjab news online, punjab news, punjab news headlines, punjab breaking news, india news, punjab news, world news,