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Menopause for men? Yes. Often referred to by its clinical name Andropause, it is very real and no man escapes it. Male menopause is cause by a decline in hormones such as testosterone, thyroid, DHEA that starts in the late 20's. Most men can detect symptoms by age 35 to 40.

Menopause for men? Yes. Often referred to by its clinical name Andropause, it is very real and no man escapes it. Male menopause is cause by a decline in hormones such as testosterone, thyroid, DHEA that starts in the late 20's. Most men can detect symptoms by age 35 to 40.

It is real because numerous studies have supported that fact. It is also real because hundreds of thousands of men have treated the symptoms of male menopause and had those symptoms go away in 2 to 4 weeks after starting treatment.

The symptoms of male menopause / andropause are as follows:

* A decline in desire for activity and exercise

* Decreased mental quickness and sharpness

* A decrease in muscle and an increase in body fat

* Decreased muscle and increased body fat

* Mild to moderate depression and irritability

* Mild to moderate depression and irritability

* Decline in enthusiasm for daily life and/or depression

* Decreased sensitivity and sexual function

* Decreased sexual function and/or sensitivity

It's hard for men to discuss the symptoms of male menopause / andropause. Unlike women, the symptoms of male menopause develop slowly giving men time to adjust to the change. It usually takes a catalyst or an incident to bring this issue to a mans attention and what may be causing it. Talking about hormones is not typically seen as a very manly thing to do and most men will probably deny that they may be feeling less than optimal.

Treatment for male menopause / andropause is not only safe, it is healthy. It consists of testing hormone levels and replacing hormones to levels the man had when he felt his best and was at his healthiest - age 25 to 30.

5-10 years ago studies revealed that hormone replacement for men was safe. These studies show that replacing hormones, including testosterone, does not cause cancer. Within the last 5 years, research has found that there are health benefits of male hormone replacement. The biggest concentration of testosterone receptors is in the heart, for example. The next highest concentration is in the brain, followed by the third in the muscle-skeletal system.

Previous generations live under the mantra of "grow old gracefully". Modern science and medicine has given us the tools to not only fight but manage the aging process.

Jim Michels PhD

Jim Michels is founder and owner of reNEW MAN. reNEW MAN has been providing age management services for men for more than 12 years.