Have you or your partner ever noticed that you are having hot flushes, gaining weight, or an impaired sexual function? These are just a few of the symptoms of male menopause, a health condition that doesn't get much attention. We all know that women have a fixed ovarian reserve which gradually decreases over time, leading to menopause. Men don't go through menopause, but they face a similar problem as their testosterone levels tend to drop dramatically. And it's called <keyword id="608558" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="andropause" source="Orion">andropause</keyword>, or just male menopause. As men age, they undergo a number of changes, from graying of hair to loss of muscle mass. The drop in testosterone levels is one of the most dramatic changes men go through. "It's not often discussed since there isn't much research on the issue, owing to the fact that you don't die from a decrease in gonadal hormones, and the hormone withdrawal isn't as extreme as in women. When males experience this, there are typically other factors at play, in addition to the decline in hormones such as workplace stress, marriage stress, life management, and lifestyles," said <keyword id="14307667" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="dr-anubha" source="Orion">Dr Anubha</keyword> Singh, Gynecologist and IVF Expert from <keyword id="6232914" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="shantah-fertility-centre" source="Orion">Shantah Fertility Centre</keyword>, <keyword id="71201" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vasant-vihar" source="Orion">Vasant Vihar</keyword>, New Delhi. What is Andropause exactly? The reduction in testosterone levels in males is referred to as male menopause. "Anytime beyond the age of 40, when women's oestrogen levels begin to decline. Low testosterone is a term used by certain doctors to describe it. It is natural to see a decrease in the production of the male hormone testosterone as you become older, but it can also happen when you have diabetes. Late-onset hypogonadism, often known as age-related low testosterone, is a steady decrease in testosterone levels. It is a more gradual menopause than female menopause, in which ovulation stops and hormone production drops over a short period of time," explained Dr. <keyword id="4400688" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="anubha-singh" source="Orion">Anubha Singh</keyword>. What are a few of the signs and symptoms? Fatigue, poor libido, and difficulties concentrating are just a few of the symptoms that might occur as a result of this reduction. Apart from these following are other signs and symptoms: . Diminished mental acuity (poor concentration, depressed mood) . Loss of strength and energy . Gaining weight, losing muscle, and gaining fat . Depressed moods and/or a lack of zeal and enthusiasm . Irritability . Muscle aches and pains (feeling stiffness) . Sweats or hot flushes . Hands and feet that are cold . Itching . Sexual dysfunction . Loss of height What causes Andropause? Testosterone is responsible for a variety of important functions in men. For example, it regulates libido, sperm production, and muscle mass. Dr <keyword id="12292482" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="shobha-gupta" source="Orion">Shobha Gupta</keyword>, Medical Director and IVF Specialist from Mother's Lap IVF Centre, Pitampura, New Delhi explained "Testosterone is important for bone health and blood production. It is produced in the testes and adrenal glands. As men tend to grow old, testosterone levels tend to drop, along with the ability to produce sperm. This leads to a condition called andropause". When do men experience Andropause? Andropause can begin around the age of 40 but it can begin earlier and continues till 70. There has been increasing discussions about andropause, but not all doctors and psychologists agree that there is male menopause because not all men experience it, and for those who do, they often do not express it. Their feelings are like freely as women. Diagnosing and treatment "If you feel the above mentioned symptom then that's your sign otherwise your doctor will likely do a blood test to measure your testosterone levels. If they are low, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be prescribed. You may be advised to change your lifestyle, such as get more exercise and eat a healthier diet," further explained Dr Shobha Gupta. How can you help your body and mind cope with andropause? . Eat a good diet: A healthy diet, which includes a balance of vegetables, fruits, meats, fish and dairy products . Be active: Engage in regular exercise, including aerobic, muscular and flexibility exercises . Regular health Check-ups: Get regular health check-ups including cardiovascular, prostate and testicular cancer . Hormones: Check hormone levels as you get older. Generally, between 40 and 55 several important hormones in a man's body begin to decline . Reduce stress: Exercise and relaxation help to reduce stress, as does talking to your partner, friends and family about your problems . Intimacy: Although sex is still important as you go through male menopause, you will start to view sex as a part of a loving relationship which includes friendship, intimacy and sharing . Sleep: Get plenty of sleep Men cope differently with menopause, it depends a lot on their personality. Unlike menopause in women, Dr. Shobha Gupta believes "more research is needed on andropause, or male menopause, to fully understand it and determine what can be done to help men at this stage in their lives." ALSO SEE <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/what-abortion-pills-are-also-used-for-from-suicide-prevention-to-stomach-ulcers/articleshow/92504081.cms">What 'abortion pills' are also used for, from suicide prevention to stomach ulcers</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/who-official-says-the-more-times-an-individual-gets-covid-19-the-more-likely-they-are-to-be-unlucky-and-get-long-covid/articleshow/92501326.cms">WHO official says the more times an individual gets COVID-19, the more likely they are to be 'unlucky' and get 'long COVID'</a>

Men have it too -- hot flashes, weight again and menopause

Covid-19 can cause male <keyword id="24295" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="infertility">infertility</keyword> by harming the testicular cells which produces sperms thereby making it difficult to make the female pregnant, says a new study done by the scientists of Israel. The study, published in the journal of Fertility and Sterility, claims that the studied men had a reduction of around 50 percent on average of the number of sperm per milliliter, total volume of ejaculate, and motility of sperm. Nobody knows yet how severe this problem is and these effects are reversible or not. Infection is accepted as a possible underlying cause of male infertility. For example mumps may have a long term effect on fertility of male patients and can cause azoospermia, so we know viruses can have such an impact. Dr Shobha Gupta, Medical Director and <keyword id="288193" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="IVF-specialist">IVF Specialist</keyword> from Mother's Lap IVF Centre says: "I wouldn't be surprised if this virus causes a temporary down in sperm production. People who get corona virus are probably quite unwell, they are having low immunity even influenza will cause a decline in sperm count temporarily. The question is how long it will last and whether it is recoverable." "Every time there is a new thing coming up with this virus, we are still learning and if the person has low immunity and is prone to catch the infection in any way the sperm count is affected and can cause male infertility" she added. Dr Shweta Goswami, Sr. Consultant IVF from Jaypee Hospital Noida and IVF Consultant from <keyword id="10143861" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="zeeva-clinic">Zeeva Clinic</keyword> explains: "Any viral infection but just Covid-19 can lead to high grade fever and decrease in sperm count and motility at least temporarily. It's too early to suggest anything for Covid-19 as semen changes can take up to 3-4 months post infection and numbers are too low at present but it could potentially cause harm and any sort of illness fever can reduce sperm count and motility and this may hold for corona virus as well." Mask-wearing can help to protect their fertility during the pandemic, even if one ultimately becomes infected. "Men who have moderate or serious Covid-19 infections could find their fertility impaired for an unknown amount of time. Because mild cases don't seem to affect fertility, I would advise men to wear facemasks. This way, even if they get sick, their immune systems will be dealing with a smaller viral load and consequently they'll have a milder form of the disease and there has to be more studies to confirm how severe this problem is, once the patient recovers semen parameters may improve" said Dr. <keyword id="4400688" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="anubha-singh">Anubha Singh</keyword>, another city based Gynecologist and IVF Specialist from Shantah Fertility Centre. "If people are protected by a mask, and the smaller the load of catching the infection, the better the immune system's chances of beating the virus while still in the mild stage and having minimal impact on sperm" added Dr. Anubha Singh. Choose a healthy life and take precautions, as this virus is very new and nobody knows how to recover from it or how not to catch the infection. So we have to be our on guard till the vaccine comes. Follow these advices as precautions to protect fertility: <ul><li><keyword id="8276760" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="wear-masks">Wear Masks</keyword> and do proper sanitizing</li><li>Avoid being overweight</li><li>Do not smoke and refrain yourself as much as you can from consuming alcohol</li><li>Do not wear tight underwear as it can affect the circulation of blood in the genital region and raise the temperature of the testicles which further decreases the sperm count</li><li>Avoid keeping mobile phones near genital area as it causes radiation also do not place laptops on your lap as it can raise the scrotum temperature</li><li>Eat nutritious food and exercise regularly to maintain healthy immunity </li></ul>SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-vaccine-updates-pfizer-begins-clinical-trials-in-japan-moderna-expects-interim-results-in-november/articleshow/78782779.cms">COVID-19 vaccine updates: — Pfizer begins clinical trials in Japan, Moderna expects interim results in November</a>

Coronavirus may cause male infertility by harming the testicular cells, claims study

New Delhi, June 14 (IANSlife) Many women have complained about irregular and painful periods during this period of self isolation and home sheltering. According to the doctors, due to being confined to houses for a long duration of time, their routine activities like sleep pattern, eating habits, physical activity all have been affected which causes stress, resulting in irregularity of periods and the intensity of cramps. Dr. Anubha Singh, Gynecologist and IVF Expert from Shantah Fertility Centre said: "Many patients have informed us over phone that their periods have become irregular and after talking to them it was found that they are feeling very stressed. The reason for this is that the Covid-19 lockdown has spoiled their daily routine. Stress problems in women have increased due to the epidemic. Stress affects the amount of cortisol produced by the body. Among women who are under high stress, 40 per cent of women complain of infertility. However, there is no concrete evidence that infertility is due to stress." Many psychiatrists and psychologists have given their own arguments some say the problem increases in women who live in stress and depression. Panic among women Stress is bound to cause hormonal imbalance and even PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) in women. "If you had been borderline PCOS all along, this stress induced by the pandemic might push you over to the other side. The uncertainty brought about by the pandemic, and the fact that no one really knows when this might end, has resulted in widespread panic. Also since most women are now locked indoors, they're probably not leading the healthiest of lives. Such unusual situations could exacerbate preexisting hormonal imbalances in women. For instance, if a woman had been diagnosed with mild PCOS, it might get aggravated during this time" explained Dr. Anubha Singh. Diet and sleep patterns are affected Since most of the women have been locked inside the house, they are not able to live a healthy lifestyle. In such a situation, their sleep patterns and diet are also being affected. Stress can increase the imbalance of insulin in the body which causes the secretion of leptin hormone. Women who used to cycle period within the first 30 days, now their cycle can be delayed by 7-8 days or even more. This is called oligomenorrhea. Acne in women When we are stressed, our body releases cortisol. When it is in abundance, it reduces estrogen production which leads to a spike in androgen levels. Androgen plays an important role in connecting with the sebaceous glands. At greater stress, these glands produce oil. Excess oil stops our skin pores, and causes an inflammation that takes the form of an acne. Hormonal imbalance If hormonal imbalances persist in women, it could affect hair growth, weight bloating, hair fall, trouble in concentrating and it may even lead to impaired fertility in the long run. Dr. Shobha Gupta, Medical director and IVF Specilaist from Mother's Lap IVF Centre said that "cases have been seen where women under extreme stress or duress have stopped having periods altogether. Although we've not reached that stage yet, we just might if things continue the way they are now." Everyone is trying to ease these situations or stay calm. "One key factor in reducing stress levels is coming to terms with the fact that the current situation, where all of India is locked down, is not in anyone's hands and working on oneself is really the best way to deal with it. Try and make a fixed routine for your day, eat healthy foods, sleep on time, and try to be happy as much as possible. Do not take stress unnecessarily" added Dr. Shobha Gupta. (Puja Gupta can be contacted at puja.g@ians.in) --IANS pg/tb/sdr/

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Men have it too -- hot flashes, weight again and menopause

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Coronavirus may cause male infertility by harming the testicular cells, claims study

IANS

Is stress of the lockdown raking havoc on your period?

IANS