Men-Oh-Pause!

Your partner may be complaining of your erectile dysfunction every time you have romantic moments. You may also be worried about why you are experiencing such low sex drive these past few days, which may sometimes lead to hot flashes or mood swings, and may take a toll on your relationship with your partner. You may also be confused about why you are experiencing these symptoms where, in fact, these are common to women.

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Pause and let me help you understand these “changes” in your body.

How important is your Testo?

Testo, or commonly known as testosterone, is an important male hormone. You may probably think that this is just one of the hormones usually secreted by your glands. Well, think twice because the production of testosterone plays a vital role in your manhood.

This hormone is produced by your testes, as well as your adrenal glands. The peak season of its production is during your early childhood or adolescent stage.

This male hormone plays a vital role in your development as a man. Your physical features were developed with the help of testosterone, such as the deepening of your voice, appearance of hair on your face, armpits or genital area.

As you age, testosterone plays an important role in maintaining your sex drive. This is also a big help in the development of your male organ in terms of its size. Your testosterone is also responsible for the production of your sperm and muscle strength. But as you age, you may experience symptoms that are usually experienced by women.

Andropause or Male Menopause, is it real?

Have you heard of male menopause? You may think this is just a myth. But yes, andropause is real.

Andropause is commonly known as male menopause experienced by men as they grow older. This is usually the decrease or loss of testosterone. The production of their testosterone decreases gradually unlike women where the production of their hormones drops suddenly as they age.

Usually, some of the common symptoms of male menopause are fatigue, depression, irritability or mood swings, low sex drive or low libido, erectile dysfunction, hot flashes, sleep difficulties, and osteoporosis. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may be in the stage of male menopause.

Is there a cure?

If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may consult your doctor and have your testosterone checked by undergoing a blood test. Your doctor may advise you to take treatments such as replacement of testosterone in your blood, treatment in a form of skin patches, gel, capsules or injections that may increase your testosterone level.

You may also change your lifestyle by switching to a healthier diet, exercising regularly and lessening the stress in your daily routine.

Pause and see your doctor.

Know More of What Makes You Happy: Happy Hormones 101

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You have always been in continuous pursuit of happiness. You are struggling to find your happiness elsewhere.

You may even be going through destination addiction, according to therapist and life coach, Lauren Britt. 

It is a preoccupation with the idea that happiness is in the next place, the next job, or with the next partner. 

She even added that until you give up the idea that happiness is someplace else, it will never be where you are. 

Instead of looking elsewhere, why not look inside you? To be truly happy, you have to know and understand yourself better.

Here are some of the happy hormones you’ll be very pleased to get to know and meet:

Oxytocin establishes intimacy, trust, and relationships. This hormone is sometimes referred to as the “bonding hormone,” as it leads you to love, bond, socialize, and build meaningful and lasting relationships with significant people.

New studies even show that oxytocin can make you more sympathetic, supportive, and open with your feelings towards your special someone. What could be happier than that?

Testosterone gives men vigor and confidence in their day-to-day activities. It also increases sex drive and libido which is vital for the enjoyment of physical intimacy with your spouse.

Studies also show that testosterone lowers the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. More than sex, you’ll enjoy growing old together.  Indeed, a happy wife equates to a happy life!

Progesterone elevates your mood and sense of well-being. It also acts as nature’s valium to keep you calm. You can be calm and stay beautiful as it improves your bust line and stops estrogen’s tendency to store fat in your waist, hips, and thighs. This hormone will make it possible for you to wear that keep-calm-and-just-be-happy shirt convincingly.

Serotonin like progesterone, regulates your mood, prevents depression and makes you feel happy. Increased levels of serotonin promote a more positive, care-free, and joyous mode, which is why it is even coined as the “happy hormone.” You can even be someone else’s happy pill if you keep your high level of serotonin. Happiness gets better when shared.

Endorphins make you feel good and act as your knights in shining armor. They are released in times of pain and stress, and act as an analgesic and sedative, weakening your sensitivity to pain. Exercise your way to happiness or laugh your heart out, and release more endorphins!

Dopamine helps maintain your focus. As the “reward hormone,” it motivates you to put your dreams into action and gives you an incomparable satisfaction when you achieve them. Create little versions of your big dreams and release dopamine for day-to-day motivation. Be a go-getter and keep your dopamine flowing!

Most of the things that bring cheer in your life can be found in these hormones. They do so many wonderful things to make you feel happier! Stop pursuing happiness and start creating it!

Losing Your Manly Vigor: Is It A Sign Of Male Menopause?

Shedding light on one of the misunderstood medical conditions

Age does get in the way in terms of reproduction in women as well as in men. It is a well-known medical fact that women will most likely undergo menopause in their 50s. Around this age, a series of biological processes would make females lose their childbearing ability for good. While women are destined to lose their reproductive powers at a certain age, would the same predicament happen to men?

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The medical community is currently debating on whether men menopause in the same manner as women. Some say that it is just a myth because, unlike the case of women, men do not undergo a well-defined physiological process of reproductive decline. Others believe that despite an absence of clear, observable symptoms, aging would take its toll on men's capacity to impregnate, which is loosely termed as male menopause.

Manly pause?

Knowing that there is a debate on male menopause, the next question is which side should we take? Let us shed light on the very nature of what doctors call male menopause.

According to WebMD, a medical website, male menopause is triggered mainly by the gradual decrease in the production of testosterone -- the hormone responsible for reproduction in males. Reduction in testosterone levels happens as men age. According to a study, it falls about 30 percent on average after age 30. The diminished testosterone levels are attributed to cause men to experience symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, depression, and sexual problems.

However, many doctors admit that there is no clear relationship between the above symptoms and the decreased testosterone levels. In fact, other doctors believe these symptoms are caused by other medical disorders or diseases related to aging.

Barely a 'man' thing

Unlike in women wherein part of their physiology is the termination of their ovulation process as they pass their reproductive prime, men's capacity to impregnate never truly ceases -- it is only diminished. Their bodies continue to produce sperm even after the menopausal period of women. To emphasize, Ramajit Raghav, recorded as the world's oldest father, was reported to have fathered a son at the age of 96. 

If male menopause is not a given, meaning a natural ordeal for men, the next question is how common is it? A study, published by the New England Journal of Medicine, stated that male menopause is relatively rare. The paper reported that it only affects 2% of men over 40, while other figures show that merely 5% of all men; nearly 20% of them, after age 70, suffer from low testosterone.

So for men who are worried about their decreased performance in bed, chances are, based on statistics, it is most likely that you have other medical conditions that cause your diminished manly vigor. To be sure, consult a doctor for the correct diagnosis and treatment -- such as testosterone replacement therapy.