Is there male menopause? I choke up and cry for no reason when no ones around when I'm totally happy.?

Question

It's weirdness. I could be watching football alone and this will happen. But, if I feel it coming on and someone's around. I just pinch myself or take deep breaths and it goes away. What's going on??

Answer 1

Several months ago I was watching the evening news and they did a segment on male menopause. I do not remember what they said about it or which news program it was on but there is research to support it. Maybe if you went to WebMD. You also should talk to you Doc. about this. It could also be depression or a thyroid problem. Good luck

Answer 2

They say that some men around 40+ go into this. One reason is that they feel they have not reached the level of success they feel they should of by that age. This could lead to depression, and should be talked over with a doctor.

Some people (of both sexes) go through this if they are dependent upon drugs and/or alcohol. This too needs a doctor's attention.

Answer 3

LOL naw there isnt, it might be because u feel alone, u feel like you need someone next to you, you know, or u might suffer from bipolar depression, u change the way you feel for no reason ad u dont know why....ou cant explain the situation...try doing spme research on bipolar

Answer 4

This could be signs of a anxiety disorder or some other physchological disorder. Do you feel extremely depressed when this occcurs even if your depressed for no reason?

You may be overly emotionaly senstive as well.

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

It could be feelings that you drove into your subconcious when you were younger. Either that or there is something going on in your life that you try to ignore so bad.
Get some counselling. o.0

Answer 7

Sounds like a panic attack or symptoms of depression. Maybe you are turning gay and are crying for joy.

Answer 8

emotions are taking over. you are stressed over something but cant figure it out. sit and think what is causing this? what is making you so sad?

Answer 9

I don't think so ... sounds like depression to me.

Answer 10

Sorry I cut and pasted this but, I don't care what others believe but, it exists.

Andropause, the Male Menopause
Although most people know that Menopause has generated a large population of women who have excessive rates of bone fracture and CHD, men also suffer from these conditions. The male menopause or Andropause, is due to hypogonadism- low testosterone levels. Andropause, the word, appeared in the literature in 1952 and is defined at the "natural cessation of the sexual function in older men." Andropause also refers to sexual regression in men over 40 due to dropping male hormone levels.

Endocrinologically, the difference between the hypogonadal man and the post-menopausal hypogonadal woman is not very great. Neither has adequate levels of androgens or estrogens and they both can be expected to show similar tendencies; i.e., hypogonadal men also tend to have frequent MI's and bone fractures from osteoporosis. There is current evidence of a protective effect of testosterone against both heart attacks and bone fractures.

The loss of sexual drive is one of the first changes most people notice with "aging". This decreased libido and failure to awaken with erections is the foreboding of the "impotence experienced by hypogonadal men". Women too experience a lessening of their desire but usually this does not occur until their testosterone levels drop below normal if they have their ovaries removed.

Unfortunately, in men, impotence tends to be accompanied in most not by frustrated sexual urges or complaints of frustration but rather by "passivity" according to Dr. Conrad Swartz. More than half of the healthy men over age 70 whom he surveyed showed morning serum testosterone levels at or below 300 ng/dl, the customary threshold of hypogonadism. (Ref.1). At this level men do not have erections in their sleep nor in the early mornings. Passivity in men soon leads to lack of interest in business, sex, sports or visual sexual stimulation.



About Testosterone, The Male Sex Hormone

Testosterone is the principal androgen of which 95% is made by the testes (testicles or sperm producers), 5% in the adrenals of both sexes and 1% by female ovaries. T is synthesized from cholesterol at approximately 6 mg/day (normal range 5-15 mg/day depending on age) and metabolized by the liver and excreted in the urine. Testosterone can be bioconverted into two other steroids at target tissues throughout the body: This conversion essentially regulates all T activity since the rate of conversion can be modified by the levels of these steroids.

1. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) - binds more readily to androgen receptors than Testosterone ( T). Conversion is noted at prostate, seminal vesicles (testicles), pubic skin, scrotal skin, axillae ( or armpits), gingival tissues ( gums in the mouth). and to a slight degree in any area of the skin with preferential absorption on the back, biceps, ribs and thighs in both men and women.

2. DHT is 4x more potent than testosterone as an anabolic agent ( increases muscle tissue). This conversion of T to DHT increases the action of testosterone. Testosterone has both an anabolic and androgenic ( male sex organs) effect.

3. Estradiol- a Biestrogen, ( there are three estrogens acting on both females and males {E1, Estrone; E2, estradiol; E3, Estriol}) 25% are made by the testes, 75% are bioconverted in liver and the brain from testosterone. This conversion of T to E2 is the primary cause of male aggression ( bitchiness), breast enlargement and loss of sexual drive. Certain hormone levels will increase this effect and some hormones can decrease it. (Search words: cancer, estradiol, regulation).

Low hormone levels of testosterone in men, have negative influences on both mood and mental abilities, including decline of memory, and loss of youthful sexual functioning. Studies have shown that the sexual aging process results in organic impotence, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory and urinary problems, decreased sexual drive or libido and deterioration of the general physique. (Ref.2).

Testosterone is the hormone which regulates the structure of all body proteins and insures the development and integrity of the genitals (penis and testicles) in males. The adult testicles normally produce about 7-10 mg of testosterone daily. A deficiency causes only modest changes initially such as an increase in weight ( beer belly), progressive aging of the face, muscular weakening and weakening of bone tissue or osteoporosis. Lowered testosterone secretion causes low functioning of many body organs resulting in the eventual failing of memory, sexual drive and resulting irritability associated with general fatigue and higher estrogen levels in men. The development of clogged arteries, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, the increase in abdominal fat, the atrophy of the skin, high blood pressure and increased cholesterol are aging associated changes of males that are reversible with testosterone supplementation. (Ref.3).

Leydig cell function is impaired in healthy elderly men as a result of primary testicular insufficiency. Further studies reveal the presence of an additional hypothalamic-pituitary disorder of gonadotropin secretion associated with the aging process. (Ref.4). The reason for this pituitary malfunction is not yet known.



About Androgens and Estrogens

Androgens and estrogens have similar metabolic effects in the liver where testosterone is enzymically converted into estradiol or E2. Estrogen compound is a combination of three estrogen subtypes: E1-Estrone, E2-Estradiol (the active "female hormone") and E3-Estriol. Estriol is protective against breast cancer and its deficiency directly causes the hot flashes and nervousness associated with menopause in women. Estradiol causes breast enlargement in men as well as the female changes that occur in women at adolescence. During menopause, women typically experience hot flashes, but no similar consistent signal seems to appear in aging men as they develop hypogonadism. However, most men do experience hot flashes when hypogonadism is abruptly induced by pharmacological agents that rapidly abolish lutenizing hormone (LH). The absence of obvious symptoms and the slow course and unpredictability of the development of low testosterone or hypogonadism, may contribute to its lack of recognition and its attribution to "normal aging" (Ref.2).



Low Hormones and Heart Attacks

The best-known consequences of hypogonadism in men are impotence and dwindling libido. However, both melancholia and psychiatric disturbances, ranging from depression to psychosis, can also occur in association with testosterone deficiency. Perhaps the most dangerous consequence of hypogonadism in men is myocardial infarction (MI). Serum testosterone levels were about 90 ng/dl lower in patients who had suffered MI's than in those who had not. Results also suggested that low testosterone levels predispose to MI and are lower in men with severe coronary artery atherosclerotic disease than in controls. Very high blood levels of testosterone might protect against atherosclerosis, especially in men over age 60 (Ref.2).

Testosterone is not the only androgen that appears to protect again MI. Estrogen exerts a profound effect by both lowering the "bad" cholesterols, raising the "good" cholesterols, and decreasing clotting of blood and blood pressure in women. DHEA-Dehydroepiandrosterone, a precursor of both testosterone and estrogen, has digitalis-like effects and strengthens the heart muscle. Together, testosterone and DHEA delay the normal aging process This information suggest that there are beneficial systemic effects in maintaining blood levels of androgens similarly to the benefits of maintaining normal thyroid hormone levels.



Illegal and Legal Use of Testosterone Replacement

Androgen use is very prevalent in society. Much of this is due to androgen abuse among athletes and bodybuilders, where black market androgen abuse has reached epidemic proportions. Indeed, in various studies of high school boys, it has been found that 4-12% had used androgens at least once (JAMA 27O:12l7, 1993). Dr. Dana Ohl, from the University of Michigan, stated at the onset of his lecture on Androgen Therapy in men, "Despite the prevalence of legal and illegal androgen use, the science of androgen effects has greatly lagged behind the understanding of biological effects of estrogen and indications for estrogen replacement therapy. Female oral contraceptives have been in use for many years, but only recently have we seen studies regarding hormone contraceptive agents in men."

Current polls indicate illegal use of testosterone replacement, by the following:

96% of professional Football Players
80-99% of Male Body Builders
11% of High School Football Players
6.6% of High School Senior Males
The prescription and use of steroids is legal in the United States. However, the issue is clouded by the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990, which criminalizes sale and possession of any anabolic steroid intended for non-medical use. Misuse of steroids in the sports world has led to stigmatization of their legitimate medical uses; however, some care must nonetheless be exercised in prescribing steroids. The best protection for a physician is to carefully document symptoms and test results and not to over prescribe any replacement therapy.

The black market sale of steroids is estimated at $300-400 million annually. Half are counterfeit; most are said to come from or through Mexico. Labels often claim illegal importation despite local manufacture. Purity is questionable, and users sharing needles run the risk of hepatitis, HIV infection and subsequently AIDS, abscesses, cellulitis and death (Ref.6). Potential steroid users are further advised that buying a known counterfeit steroid is a felony, as is buying a non-FDA approved steroid.

Testosterone has been found to inhibit clot formation by decreasing fibrinogen and increasing hardening of the arteries by increasing HDL and decreasing serum triglycerides (Ref.4). It also strengthens muscles beyond normal limits, and testosterone is the androgen of greatest concentration in cardiac tissues. Testosterone can make heart muscle more resistant to death during ischemia through improved maintenance of cardiac output, as well as decreasing the clotting mechanism. These advantages of testosterone replacement are also associated with a general feeling of well-being, greater strength, and increase or return of libido.

The anabolic effects of steroids are those that have a direct effect on the production of muscle mass. There is an increase in muscular strength and recovery from injury or stress. Androgenic effects of steroids include the development or increase of facial hair, the deepening of the voice, stimulation of sebaceous glands, and some as yet ill-defined effects on brain tissue.

Anabolic/androgenic steroids, in the presence of an adequate diet, can contribute to increases in body weight in the lean mass compartment through the activation of protein metabolism. The gains in muscular strength achieved through high intensity exercise and proper diet can be increased by the use of anabolic/androgenic steroids in some individuals.



Dangers of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use

1. Kidney Disease
2. Serum LDLC increases, HDLC decreases
3. Hypertension
4. Cardiovascular Disease
5. Stunted Growth
6. Depression
7. Aggression
8. Acne
9. Male Pattern Baldness
10. Gallstones
11. Males: Testicular Atrophy, Decreased Sperm Production, Gynecomastia
12. Female: Hypertrophy of Clitoris, Facial Hair, Deepening of Voice
13. Peliosis Hepatitis (blood-filled cysts in liver)
14. Cholestatic Jaundice

There are health problems in aging men associated with testosterone administration. Enlargement of the prostate, accelerated progression of undiagnosed prostate cancer, increased hematocrit, and a variety of liver lesions can occur. Administering testosterone by intramuscular injection tends to avoid the liver toxicity seen with oral preparations. Administration of testosterone cypionate reduced HDL and synthetic androgen also increase total serum cholesterol. Synthetic androgens are not preferable to preparations of testosterone itself.



Natural vs. Synthetic Testosterone

Natural testosterone has been available since 1938. Most of the anabolic (tissue building) steroids are synthetic analogs of natural testosterone, the male hormone. Usually they are taken orally in large quantities which are dangerous and can cause serious liver diseases as well as organ failure. Examples of "roids, juice or gear" such as Stanazolol, Winstrol or Android, Andriol, methyltestosterone, are used by bodybuilders. Injections of nandrolone deconate, or Durabolin, have been available in the gyms of America for over ten years.

These anabolic (tissue building) hormones cause increased incorporation of new amino acids into tissue. This increased protein synthesis results in growth or hypertrophy of the muscle. Injectable synthetic steroids both androgenic and anabolic must be converted by the liver to be useful.



Testosterone Esters for Medical Use

Because testosterone is rapidly metabolized by the liver if taken orally or by intra-muscular injection, esters, which are more lipid soluble, are produced and injected in a peanut oil base. Testosterone esters include:

A) Testosterone Propionate
B) Testosterone Cypionate (Depo-Testosterone, Virilon IM)
C) Testosterone Enanthate (Delatestryl, Testaval)

One injection can maintain normal serum levels of testosterone for 10-14 days. When used as a replacement therapy, there are no apparent side effects. Nandrolone deconate is a synthetic testosterone, which transforms to produce both high levels of testosterone and more anabolic steroids. This results in transformation to excess estradiol which can cause gynecomastia (breast enlargement) in men. Testosterone's action on the muscles has been observed by young male athletes who try to bulk up and recover faster.

Medical uses of anabolic include: in CRF patients to stimulate red blood cell production; for prevention of angioneurotic edema; for stimulation of protein synthesis (burns, trauma, cancer, AIDS); and in men for treatment of Congenital Micropenis, Hypogonadism, Impotence, and restoration of sexual libido. Additional uses in women include treatment for Osteoporosis and Endometriosis, Fibrocystic Breast Disease and Breast Cancer. Uses in children include treatment to stimulate linear bone growth and speed up growth of secondary sexual characteristics, e.g., penile growth and pubic and axillary hair.



Oral Androgens

Oral androgens are not metabolized into testosterone but act directly on androgen receptors. Because they cannot be bioconverted into DHT or estradiol, they are not as biologically active. All androgens appear to act on the same receptors, but tissue sites vary in absorption and metabolism. Oral androgens are used medically for those patients with bleeding disorders or who are intolerant of injections. Oral androgens include:

Methyltestosterone (Android, Metandren, Oreton methyl, Testred, Virilon)
Fluoxymesterone (Halotestin)
Danazol (Danacrine)
Stanozolol (Stromba, Winstal) Approved for veterinary use only in US


Testosterone Patches and a New Alternative

Natural Testosterone can be used safely in large doses by men who are deficient. Physiologic doses present no apparent health risks. A novel method of administration through a skin delivery system is now available pharmaceutically. (Ref.2) Testocreme®; is a patch delivery system of natural testosterone. It delivers 4-6mg of testosterone daily and is applied to the shaved scrotum. Androderm®; is a very similar preparation which can be applied anywhere. To mimic the normal pattern as much as possible, the higher levels of testosterone occur early in the morning. Androderm® patches are applied each morning and result in a surge of hormone within a few hours of application.

Self-administration by this technique is safe but awkward. For hormone replacement in men, a new dihydroxytestosterone gel is being developed by Proctor and Gamble (Ref.7) and a natural testosterone gel, TestoJel® in rapid absorption polymers has been developed in various strengths up to 25 mg of T (Ref.5). All the hormone creams are prescription items which need to be applied twice daily to maintain their 12 hour duration of action. Even more reliable, testosterone pellets are also available for hormone replacement in men. These pellets, Testopel® containing 25 mg of a timed release testosterone, can be inserted beneath the skin to deliver testosterone over a four month period in a simple office procedure (Ref.6). The hormone testosterone is naturally derived from a food source, soybeans, and is identical to the hormone secreted by human testicles.



Why See a Doctor for a Cream?

Side effects of any anabolic steroid depend on the extent to which receptors on target cells are stimulated. There are receptors on sebaceous glands, hair follicles, muscle tissue, and brain tissue. The side effects could then be increased acne, increased body hair growth, increased male pattern baldness, and increased muscle mass. Physicians are well advised to monitor liver function, even if oral steroids are not being used, and to withdraw the hormone or decrease the dosage in such cases.

It does not take much hormone to exceed the recommended physiologic dosage. Monitoring by a physician and regular blood tests are important to achieve the ideal level for each man. The longer lasting, injectable preparations are synthetic steroid supplements and should be delivered intramuscularly by injection under physician supervision. These synthetic products do have various potentially dangerous side effects. Most of the effects are related to liver toxicity from excessive doses. Testosterone has a very large safety margin. Direct toxicity is unknown in men, however in women testosterone does cause masculinization and facial hair growth. Due to the fact that testosterone can be made from progesterone in the female, it has been used successfully as a female sexual stimulant in tiny doses, for women with decreased sex drive due to menopause.

A study is now underway by The Monterey Preventive Medical Clinic using Testocreme®, a 10% testosterone cream which is rapidly absorbed by the body. Testocreme® is a prescription item and requires a preliminary blood test to check blood serum hormone levels before commencing hormone therapy (Ref.5). It is also recommended that a PSA (prostate surface antigen) and a DRE (digital rectal exam) be done prior to hormone treatments of any kind to rule out an occult or hidden cancer.