Of course, the question that naturally arises is whether men also actually experience menopause, and could that experience possibly help them with appreciation of what women go through?

In truth, there is solid medical evidence establishing that, in the aging process, women are not the only ones who experience menopause. Men do, as well. There's even a name for the male variety - Andropause - and sometimes Viropause, both used to describe what is more commonly known as male menopause. The primary symptom is a decline in testosterone levels. Some describe it as an end to first adulthood and the commencement of a second phase of adulthood. More often than not, in the popular view, it manifests itself in the sexual realm, where deterioration in sexual desire and performance is experienced.

Some men react with acute alarm to these hormonal changes and look upon the phenomenon as a direct assault upon their virility. So, in some cases the male experience is not unlike what occurs with women when drastic hormonal changes alter their physical and mental condition. For women, menopause has more distinct and defined symptoms such as termination of the menstrual cycle, hot flashes which show visible signs on the face, chest and neck, perspiring, dryness in the vagina, throbbing heartbeat, body aches, itching skin and growth of unwanted facial hair.

With men, the drop in testosterone levels is the primary symptom. Physicians can screen and identify this change and often do so since it can be associated with the onset of illnesses such as diabetes. However, the lowering of testosterone can also produce the following symptoms:

Physical exhaustion from simple tasks: There is a decrease in alertness and a feeling of being tired that comes on more quickly than previously. Insomnia may ensue which contributes to the feeling of being exhausted.

Gaining weight: An increase in weight and body fat becomes evident, seemingly, however, unexplainable.

Mental Fatigue: A decrease in the ability to concentrate. It seems to take more time to digest matters discussed in conversation or to absorb written or audio material.

Emotional Exhaustion: A man may become more easily angered, or have sudden feelings of sadness, depression and nervousness. Yes, there can be wide mood swings, just as with women.

Decrease in Sexual Desire: For a man, this can well be the most alarming symptom, since it is so much intertwined with his view of himself as a virile force. Inability to perform shows up in failure to gain an erection.

In western culture, men tend to have a low level of awareness that these changes are occurring, and often can be said to be in deep denial. Men simply are not anxious to acknowledge these sorts of things. This, of course, can lead to considerable stress in a marriage or intimate relationship. Andropause, once a man accepts that he's in the midst of it, need not be as alarming as it might seem. Certainly, a visit to a physician is indicated to address any symptoms that can be alleviated with medication such as overcoming erectile dysfunction and treating depression.

In the final analysis, in any relationship where these changes can be observed and acknowledged, there is need for support. In other words, just as women require support and understanding in the menopausal stage, so do men need it with andropause. In either case, openness and willingness to listen and understand are the keys to maintaining intimacy.

The following article outlines the symptoms of male menopause, and maintains that they can be either overcome or avoided altogether. Read and enjoy.

Male Menopause Symptoms - Is the Problem "You're Just Getting Older"?
By David Buster

Male menopause symptoms -- the first question a man asks about male menopause is usually about declining sexual function. Can I continue to perform? Will I still enjoy sex? Will sex even matter to me in the future? Somewhere is his 40’s, maybe 50’s, a man may notice that things are not the same as they used to be in the bedroom and he begins to worry. While male menopause symptoms are not just about sex, concerns in this area are real and with reason.

In the United States alone, perhaps as many as 30 million men will at sometime suffer from erectile dysfunction, the most recognized male menopause symptom. And if the other symptoms of menopause are added in, it’s clear that tens of millions of men in their 40’s and older may need treatment.

Here are common male menopause symptoms (also called andropause):

• Declining Sex Drive - not only does the man have less interest in sex, he will also have sex less frequently. From an average of 3-4 times a week in his twenties, sexual frequency declines to about once a week or so in his fifties to 1-2 times a month in his late seventies. One of the related male menopause symptoms is that sex becomes less enjoyable for the man.

• Fatigue and Less Energy - once able to be on the go all day and into the night, now the male’s activity pace slows considerably. The same physical activity now takes longer with considerably more effort.

• Body Composition - if a man is sedentary, he will lose about 10% of his lean body mass every 10 years after age 30. Lean body mass loss means loss of muscle! This muscle loss is generally accompanied by an increase in fat mass and a tendency to become obese. And obesity is related to numerous health and wellness problems.

• Forgetfulness, Inability to Concentrate - although anyone can occasionally forget, there's a noticeable change in the ability to remember in male menopause. And it becomes more difficult to focus, which ordinarily is one of the strengths of a man.

• Feelings of Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Irritability - events or actions of others that once were dealt with easily by the male now become more difficult to deal when having male menopause symptoms.

• Difficulties with Quality of Sleep - sleep, especially uninterrupted deep sleep, is the time when the body repairs itself and gets ready for another trip through the next day. In male menopause, the man can have difficulty in falling asleep, he may not sleep well, and he can have a restless time during the last part of sleep before awakening. Not getting enough quality sleep over time can have serious health consequences.

• Confusion, Indecision, Lower Self-Confidence - part of being a healthy male is the ability to solve problems, to be efficient, to be competent, to have power and to achieve. A consequence of experiencing male menopause is the erosion of these crucial aspects of being a man.

• Osteoporosis, Increased Risk of Bone Fractures - even though a male begins to lose bone mass considerably later in life than a woman on the average, bone loss will happen and can be considered another of the male menopause symptoms. Women often begin losing bone mass as early as in their thirties, whereas bone loss begins later in life for a man.

Having male menopause symptoms and losing one’s sexuality are related to factors that include hormonal, mental and physiological problems. Declining hormone levels, especially testosterone, will definitely create havoc in a male’s sex life. Other factors that can cause a loss of interest in sex or sexual activity include stress, obesity, alcohol and tobacco abuse, physical inactivity, illness and prescription drugs side effects.

Do men in their 40’s and older just have to accept these kinds of male menopause symptoms as "what do you expect – you’re getting older"? NO WAY! There ARE steps men over 40 can take that can help them stay healthy, full of energy and active -- including sexually active -- for decades to come.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Read about improving men’s health and vitality at Male Menopause to learn more. David Buster is a webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com and VP of InfoSearch Publishing - visit the website and learn more about physician-recommended natural treatments for a variety of health problems.

If you have any observations you'd like to share about male menopause, please leave them in the comments section provided below.