Just like women, men too can suffer from 'manopause'

London, Nov 23 : Feeling irritated, tired and having low sex drive? Well, if you're a male, then chances are that you could be hitting 'Manopause', says health researchers.

Yes, you heard it right. Just like women, men too could have 'male menopause'.

According to an earlier American study, as many as one in five males over the age of 65 could be experiencing symptoms of this condition, which include low libido, irritability, tiredness, weight gain, sweating, aches and pains.

Medically, the male menopause is referred to as andropause - which implies the decline in the sex hormones (androgens) of men - namely testosterone.

In the case of women, menopause is triggered by the sudden fall in the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone when the ovaries shut down, usually in late middle age.

Whereas, in case of men, fertility isn't affected, and there is no dramatic decline in testosterone but rather a natural, gradual reduction with age - about 0.5 per cent a year.

However, Dr Malcolm Carruthers, an authority on the andropause, believes some men become testosterone-resistant in their late 50s, meaning that despite normal levels of the hormone, the body is no longer able to respond to it in the same way.

Testosterone plays a key role in health and wellbeing, as well as sexual function. It regulates energy, increases the production of red blood cells and protects against osteoporosis in adults, reports the Daily Mail.

According to Professor John McKinlay, of the New England Research Institute, there is 'no research to support the syndrome'.

He advises that those experiencing symptoms should increase physical activity and go on a diet rather than taking medication.

Dr Carruthers explains: "The symptoms are caused by the body becoming resistant to the effects of testosterone. It's easily treated by giving more of the hormone, usually in the form of a gel or cream that can be rubbed into the shoulders or abdomen daily."

Testosterone levels may be checked with a simple blood test.

"It's easily treated by giving more of the hormone usually in the form of a gel or cream that can be rubbed into the shoulders or abdomen daily," said Dr Carruthers.

ANI