Introduction
As common is the aging process in human beings, so is the process of senility which produce a reduction in hormonal level, along with a reduction in general body strength and function. It is better to read about these changes and get ourselves physically and mentally prepared to come across those changes in the most positive way possible.
In this article, we are going to discuss the difference between Menopause and Andropause, the basic definition of these terms along with the changes that this brings to the human body. Let’s not wait any more time in this introduction and let us dive deep into this important and interesting topic.
Menopause vs. Andropause
One of the most important yet the most misinterpreted facts is that Menopause causes terminal infertility in women, whereas Andropause does not necessarily terminate fertility in men. The men are still able to produce viable sem*n that is potent for the production of offspring.
The difference does not only come in the physical event of these changes but the rate at which these changes come, along with the hormonal balance that follows, there is a wide gap between these two also. The women are seen to be experiencing some rapid and instantaneous changes during the start of their menopause, followed by changes like mood swings, hot flashes, and irritability, whereas it is observed, that in men, the symptoms arise subtly and take a longer period to become noticeable. However, the most astonishing fact is that no major changes in the behavior are seen during this phase in a men’s life.
One of the most astonishing facts that have surprised almost e=anyone who reads this, is that, unlike Menopause, Andropause does not d=necessarily affect all men. It affects men with very low testosterone levels. However, as everyone knows, menopause in women is age-related and inevitable. Even if menopause occurs too late, it is considered a pathological condition. The average age of onset of menopause in women is approximately 45-60 years of age.
Differences Between Andropause and Menopause in Tabular Form
These were some very basic yet very surprising facts about the difference between these two phenomena.
| Criteria | Menopause | Andropause |
| Definition |
Defined as the permanent cessation of a women’s menstrual cycle for a continuous period of one year.
|
Defined as the condition associated with the reduction in male androgenic hormones, especially testosterone.
|
| Relation to reproduction |
Permanent cessation of the menstrual cycle that the women’s capability of producing and bearing a child has ended completely.
|
A decrease in the levels of hormones and not a complete absence of them indicate the production of viable sperms, hence giving them the ability to reproduce even after andropause.
|
| Hormonal changes |
Quick to occur and are easy to notice.
|
Symptoms occur slowly and are far less noticeable.
|
| Affected population | Almost all women of age 45-60 will experience Menopause. |
Only half of the men experiences the phase of andropause.
|
What Is Menopause?
First thing first, let us make this clear that menopause is not a pathological condition that is experienced by almost all women.
Menopause is typically a condition that a woman experience when she has no menstrual cycle for complete 12 months.
Menopause generally comes around 45 to 60 years of age in women but it may come earlier in case of certain infections or hysterectomy, the surgical removal of ovaries that produces the general female hormones.
It may also be induced by taking certain medications or hormones which may induce the early or late set of menopauses. Let us look at certain signs and symptoms of menopause that can help you understand the concept better. Physiologically estrogen is the main female hormone and regulates many female body functions. As the level of estrogen decreases, women experience certain symptoms. Some of the symptoms are very minor and can be treated using lifestyle changes such as avoiding caffeine or incorporating exercise in their daily lives. Where are some women experience symptoms so intense that they have to see a gynecologist and get the symptoms treated.
Variation in symptoms is seen in women across different races and ethnicity however some symptoms are universal and they are noticed in almost women of all ages, ethnicity, and race who are experiencing menopause
- Changes in the regular menstrual cycle: This is usually the first symptom that is noticed by the woman herself. The periods are no longer regular some experience periods that are shorter in duration or they may increase in duration, some women have regular periods but the bleeding is less or it may be more.
- Some women experience hot flashes which continue for many years after menopause. The hot flashes are mainly related to changing hormonal levels. A hot flash is experienced when a woman suddenly feels the heat in the upper part of the body; the neck and face become flush. It may appear on the arms, and back followed by heavy sweating and cold shivering. These hot flashes are so intense that they are capable of waking you up at night also which are known as night sweats. The general time for one episode of these night sweats is around 30 seconds to 10 minutes in a day
- Due to the weakness of pelvic flow and the changing hormones, many women lose control of their bladder which means that they are prone to voiding urine involuntarily. This condition is known as bladder incontinence the urine is either leaking or there is a sudden urge to urinate during exercising sneezing and laughing.
We all have seen the old women who are facing sleep issues. Some of the are probably wake up at midnight and are unable to get to sleep early.
- Mood changes: Women experience changes in their moods. They become more irritable around this time. There is no proper explanation for this phenomenon but it's possible that due increase in aging, family issues stress, or changing hormonal levels this phenomenon is experienced.
- Changes around the genital area after menopause: The vag*na is seen to have become dryer which leads to a decrease in libido and makes the sexual intercourse uncomfortable. In addition, mood swings make libido a minimum level.
- Changes in General Body appearance: The woman experiences body changes, the waist circumference tends to increase, the loose muscle tends to decrease and get thinner and the body starts to gain weight in the loose muscle tissues. The skin becomes thinner and some wrinkles are appearing on the skin which makes women conscious. There are some memory problems, joint, and muscle stiffness. Some of the general body conditions experienced are pain, headache, and heart issues.
We all have seen women who are experienced one or some of these symptoms during their menopause. It is recommended that you get them checked by a gynecologist or talk to your health care expert. It is not advisable to get a self-diagnosis and self-treatment, by following home remedies and ignoring the symptoms.
What Is Andropause?
It is a condition that is generally considered male menopause. This is a misnomer as there are differences between menopause and andropause. Let us drive deep into the various facts and details about Andropause that can help you understand the topic better.
We all know the hormone which is responsible for the deep voices, muscle mass and body, and facial hair that are present in man. Yes, you got that right,
this hormone is called testosterone. As a man get older the level of testosterone in the body decreases which invariably decreases the production of sperms and also some physical and psychological symptoms. This is a very natural process related to aging. It is generally estimated the testosterone level in man decrease about 10% every decade after when reach the third decade of their life which is 30 years. Unlike menopause, the level of testosterone during andropause decreases which means that the libido decreases and also the production of sperm count decrease. Unlike menopause some differences are present in the process of andropause, let us discuss some of these differences that can help you relate to the condition better. There is a decrease in getting erections and erections are not as strong as usual. Man experiences a lack of energy. Unlike menopause, there is a decrease and not a complete cessation in the reproduction ability of the individual. Some of the common symptoms associated with the condition are low sex drive, lack of energy, depression, irritability and mood swings, loss of muscle mass, increased body fat, and hot flashes. The symptoms are very gradual to appear and are mostly very subtle that they are not notable by the men. Some of the treatment options available to treat the symptoms are replacing testosterone in the blood. Testosterone is available in a variety of different preparations like skin patches, gels, capsules, and injections.
Main Differences Between Andropause and Menopause in Points
After looking into the details about menopause and propose letters now conclude the topic by listing down the main differences between these naturally occurring phenomena in women and men respectively.
- In menopause, there is the complete cessation of the reproduction cycle of a woman whereas, in Andropause, there is a decrease in testosterone level in a man, leading to a decrease in libido and decrease in sperm production. However, the ability to reproduce is still present in men.
- The hormonal changes in menopause are quite quick to occur and very easily noticeable in women entering the age of 45 and up to age 60 however, the changes in hormonal changes in men are very shuttle and are very hard to notice by men.
- The population that is that undergoes menopause is almost every woman entering 45 to 60 years of age. It is a healthy age for this condition to occur and any changes that occur in the female body less than 45 years or more than 60 years can be a pathological condition that needs to be treated. Whereas,
in men, not all men undergo andropause, and only half of the same half of the men experience the phase of Andropause.
Some of the common symptoms that are associated with both andropause as well as menopause are irritability, mood changes, night flashes, low muscle mass, increase in fat deposition in the body, decrease in bone density, development of fragility in the body, and an increased risk of heart diseases.
Conclusion
To conclude we would like to tell that menopause and andropause are very natural parts of the aging process. There is no need to shy away from the symptoms or get home with the home remedies and avoid getting tested by a physician or your family doctor. It is as natural as your hair getting grey when you turn old. The symptoms of andropause and menopause are very easy to treat if the correct diagnosis is made at the right time. We just need to draw more attention to people and the near ones so that the old age and the senility can be enjoyed by most of us without getting night flashes, decrease in appetite and strength, and decrease in the libido.
Supplement your body with all your necessary nutrients, zinc, vitamin c, vitamin e, and calcium that are very vital for normal body functioning. Regular exercising, and doing yoga can help reduce the symptoms to a very large extent.
There is a very large gap between the educated and aware people and people who have no idea about this very basic yet very important topic that should be discussed more. People should be encouraged to openly talk about the symptoms that they are facing in their old age. Children should also listen to their parents who are experiencing some or many of these symptoms, the hormonal changes, and should support the parents emotionally physically, and mentally.
People entering the stage should be made aware in advance only, they should be made aware of the symptoms and the science and the way they can get treatment as soon as possible and enjoy their old age period as much as possible.
References
- https://www.homeopathjohannesburg.co.za/article.php?entry_id=108&heading=Menopause%20and%20Andropause%20%E2%80%93%20Similarities%20And%20Differences
- https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-menopaus
