4.01.2012

Andropause Vs Menopause And Critical Differences Between The Sexes

By Jake Alexandre


Men and women might be birds of a feather but they are born with their intrinsic differences that makes them physically, emotionally and psychologically dissimilar. Just like men are physically stronger than women, there are plenty of other differences as well that helps both these sexes live their predefined roles.

Same is the case with the aging system in men and women. They follow different cycles and different mechanisms. One of the aging processes in men is known as Andropause and consequently women's aging system is called menopause.

We have always heard about menopause in women. Andropause is a similar condition in men and is often referred to as the male menopause. This condition is seen in aging men whereby the hormone testosterone and dehydropiandrosterone suffer reduced production. As a result of this decrease, the Leydig cells are also decreased in number.

Testosterone is an important hormone. Its deficiency causes impotency and loss of libido. Amongst other problems it also leads to depression, fatigue, memory loss, insomnia, hot flushes, nervousness and inability to concentrate. This decrease in production of testosterone happens slowly over an extended period of time. Many researchers, however, have claimed that men never stop reproducing completely. The efficiency of this system surely decreases overtime but it continues to work. As the testosterone levels decline, men might have some periods of impotency but this is usually temporary and they can reproduce at a later age also.

On the other hand, Menopause is a condition seen in women. It is a permanent condition in which the female ovaries stop the release of hormones as well as release of ova. As a result, the occurrence of menses stops in women. Women might face irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, breast tenderness, vaginal dryness, mood swings, increased stress, forgetfulness etc. Menopause also increases the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease in women.

This shows a major difference between the two sexes. Women face permanent shut down of their reproductive system whereas men face a steady decline in their reproductive capability with age. Testosterone declines at a rate of 1 percent per year or 10 percent every decade after the age of 30. On the other hand women have a rapid onset of menopause usually at an average age of 51. They might experience early symptoms which will definitely affect their reproduction capability and sometimes the reproduction capability is completely affected because of an early age menopause that can happen as early as 35 years of age.

Andropause and menopause, both have specific characteristics just like any other stage of a person's life. It is a natural process rather than a medical condition that every man and woman have to undergo. With age the hormone production decreases in both men and women but in women it eventually stops. A healthy diet and a regular exercise will ensure the delay of this phase in both men and women. The problems associated with andropause and menopause can be successfully lessened with the help of various medical treatments.




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