Is Male Menopause A Disease? Let Us Analyze It In Light Of Symptons Of Male MenopauseBefore calling the male menopause a disease, we must first take a look at its definition. Male menopause is commonly used to refer to the slow and gradual age related physiological, chemical and hormonal changes in men that are caused by a general decline in the androgen hormones primarily the testosterone and are commonly characterized by symptoms of male menopause such as a decreased male libido, reduced muscular mass, increase in the body fat, reduced bone density, pronounced hair loss, reduced energy levels and a general accumulation of fat in the body. Going by the above definition, calling the male menopause a disease would not be appropriate. Male menopause is a consequence of the natural ageing process. It is more pronounced in some people as compared to the others. However, an individual can seek medical intervention if the symptoms of male menopause are in any way affecting his ability to carry on with his normal life activities. The male menopause is not a disease unless it does not interfere in the normal life activities of an individual. Most of the symptoms of male menopause such as a general hair loss, reduced libido, reduced muscular mass etc are quite harmless in nature. However, if the intensity or the impact of some other symptoms of male menopause is quite high such as accumulation of too much body fat, incessant hot flashes, increased palpitations, generalized joints and body aches etc. then the patient may consider the menopause process to be a disease and seek an active medical intervention. Thus we can see that it is not the condition itself but rather the severity of the symptoms of the male menopause that determine the requirement for an active medical intervention. Two people with the same levels of reduced testosterone may show different symptoms. One may require a medical intervention while the other may not require any sort of medical intervention to take care of the symptoms of male menopause. This way, there is no general classification of the male menopause as a disease. The thumb rule is that the severity of the symptoms of male menopause is the barometer that is used to decide the requirement of a medical intervention. If the symptoms of male menopause are severe, medical intervention may be required; otherwise, the patient can consider himself as healthy as any other individual. A mere decline in the androgen hormones such as the testosterone is in no way an indicator of a disease unless it is accompanied by any crippling symptom for which the patient may require active medical intervention. Thus we can say that it would be inappropriate to term the male menopause as a disease. Rather, it is a consequence of the normal ageing process and every healthy individual experiences it to some extent. However, it is the severity of the condition that may call for active medical intervention for the symptoms of male menopause. Thus it is inappropriate to call the male menopause as a disease. |