"Menopause" Isn't Just for Moms, Dads Need Care Too! Interpretation and Conditioning from a TCM Perspective
When "menopause" is mentioned, many people first think of the physiological changes women experience. However, did you know that men also go through a similar mid-life transition period? It's called "male menopause" or "andropause." This isn't just a women's topic; dads need to pay attention and get care too.
"Menopause" Isn't Just for Moms, Dads Need Care Too! Interpretation and Conditioning from a TCM Perspective
Breaking the Misconception: Men Also Have a Mid-Life Transition
Unlike female menopause, which is caused by a sharp drop in estrogen due to ovarian function decline, male menopause is primarily due to a gradual decline in testicular function, leading to a slow decrease in androgen (mainly testosterone) levels. This causes a series of physical and mental changes. This process usually begins after men turn 40, but there's significant individual variation.
Male vs. Female Menopause: How TCM Views Mid-Life Changes in Men and Women
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, the mid-life transition for both men and women is closely linked to "Kidney deficiency". The Kidneys store essence, govern reproduction, growth, and development, and are considered the foundation of innate health. As we age, Kidney essence gradually depletes, leading to a decline in various bodily functions.
- Female Menopause: In TCM, this is believed to be related to Kidney Yin deficiency, Liver Qi stagnation, and a lack of communication between the Heart and Kidneys.
- Male Menopause: TCM often attributes this more to Kidney Qi deficiency, especially Kidney Yang insufficiency, along with considerations of the Liver and Kidneys sharing the same origin , and Spleen and Stomach weakness.
- Physiological Basis
- Female: Ovarian function decline, sharp drop in estrogen levels
- Male: Testicular function decline, slow decrease in androgen (testosterone) levels
- Onset Age
- Female: Usually between 45-55 years old; menopause is a clear indicator
- Male: Typically begins after 40 years old; symptoms are gradual with no clear indicator
- Symptoms
- Female: Hot flashes, night sweats, palpitations, mood swings, insomnia, irregular menstruation, etc.
- Male: Irritability, fatigue, insomnia, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased physical strength, etc.
- Rate of Change
- Female: Usually faster, with noticeable symptoms
- Male: Usually slower, with subtle and gradual symptoms
In TCM theory, the body's health relies on the balance of Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids, as well as the harmony of Yin and Yang. Aging is seen as a process where Kidney essence gradually depletes. Kidney essence is the fundamental substance for human life activities, and is closely related to reproductive function, vitality, and aging. As men age, their Kidney essence will gradually decline, which may lead to a series of symptoms similar to the male menopause described by Western medicine, such as fatigue, decreased libido, memory loss, and joint pain.
TCM attributes these symptoms to different patterns of imbalance, such as Kidney Yin deficiency , Kidney Yang deficiency, Liver Qi stagnation, and Blood stasis. Kidney Yin deficiency may manifest as symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and dry mouth. Kidney Yang deficiency may lead to fatigue, aversion to cold, low libido, and soreness in the lower back and knees. Liver Qi stagnation may cause mood swings, irritability, and distending pain in the chest and ribs. Blood stasis may lead to body pain and memory decline.
Who is Prone to Male Menopause? Identifying High-Risk Factors
Male menopause typically affects men over 40, especially those in their late 40s to 50s. As men age, their testosterone levels naturally decline, which is the primary cause of male menopause. However, several risk factors can accelerate or worsen this decline, making some men more susceptible to menopausal symptoms:
- Obesity: Obesity is closely linked to lower testosterone levels.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Men with type 2 diabetes are more likely to experience testosterone deficiency.
- Chronic Diseases: Men with chronic conditions like heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, or liver disease may have lower testosterone levels.
- Stress and Anxiety: Chronic high stress or anxiety can affect hormone balance, leading to a drop in testosterone. Additionally, staying up late, anxiety, and depression can deplete Kidney essence (肾精) in TCM.
- Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits: Insufficient sleep, an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking can all lower testosterone levels.
- Certain Medications: Some medications can affect testosterone production or metabolism. Consult your doctor for more information.
- HIV Infection: Men with HIV are more prone to testosterone deficiency.
- Cancer Treatment: Men undergoing cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy may experience a drop in testosterone levels.
These risk factors indicate that male menopause isn't just a natural consequence of aging; many health conditions and lifestyle factors can influence its onset. Therefore, prioritizing your health and actively managing these risk factors is crucial for preventing or delaying male menopause. Many of the risk factors associated with male menopause also overlap with those for cardiovascular disease and other age-related illnesses. Smoking, in particular, is linked to the premature onset of male menopausal symptoms.
Symptoms of Male Menopause: Recognizing Signals of Physical and Mental Changes
The symptoms of male menopause vary widely and differ from person to person. Here are some common symptoms:
A. Physical Symptoms:
- Fatigue and lack of energy: Feeling persistently tired and lacking vitality.
- Decreased muscle mass and strength: Feeling muscle weakness, making daily activities difficult.
- Increased body fat, especially abdominal fat accumulation: Weight gain and an increased waistline, even without changes in diet.
- Decreased bone density, increased risk of osteoporosis: Bones become fragile and prone to fractures.
- Hot flashes and night sweats: Suddenly feeling hot, with increased sweating at night.
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, leading to poor sleep quality.
- Gynecomastia (male breast development): Enlarged breast tissue.
- Reduced body hair: Less hair on the body and face.
- Testicular shrinkage: A decrease in testicular size.
- Mild unexplained anemia: Experiencing symptoms of anemia.
- Decreased height: A slight reduction in height.
- Dry, thinning skin: Skin becomes dry and less elastic.
- Excessive sweating: Sweating more than usual.
- Joint pain: Discomfort or pain in the joints.
- Breast tenderness or swelling: Breasts feel sensitive or appear swollen.
- Palpitations: Feeling a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
B. Psychological and Emotional Symptoms:
- Depression, sadness, or irritability: Feeling low, easily discouraged, or agitated.
- Decreased motivation and self-confidence: Lacking initiative and feeling worse about oneself.
- Poor concentration and memory impairment ("brain fog"): Difficulty focusing and poorer memory.
- Mood swings and restlessness: Significant emotional fluctuations, easily becoming angry or anxious.
- Anxiety: Feeling tense, uneasy, or worried.
- Loss of interest in activities: Losing interest in previously enjoyed hobbies or things
C. Sexual Dysfunction:
- Decreased libido (reduced sex drive): Loss of interest in sexual activity.
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) or reduced frequency of erections: Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
- Reduced spontaneous erections (e.g., morning erections): Fewer or no erections in the morning or during sleep.
- Infertility: Decreased fertility.
The presence and severity of these symptoms vary among individuals, and not all men will experience all of them. Since many symptoms of male menopause are non-specific, they can also be caused by other medical conditions or lifestyle factors. Therefore, if you experience multiple of the above symptoms and they impact your quality of life, it's advisable to seek medical consultation promptly. The impact of male menopausal symptoms can significantly reduce quality of life, affecting relationships and overall well-being.
How TCM Regulates Male Menopause
TCM aims to restore the body's balance through personalized treatment plans for male menopause. Commonly used methods include:
- Herbal Remedies: Based on differential diagnosis, Chinese herbal medicines with functions such as nourishing the Kidneys and replenishing essence, harmonizing Yin and Yang, soothing the Liver and regulating Qi, and invigorating blood and dispelling stasis are chosen. Examples include ginseng, goji berries (gouqi), rehmannia root (shudihuang), and chinese yam (shanyao).
- Acupuncture: Stimulating specific acupoints helps regulate the circulation of Qi and blood, balance endocrine function, and alleviate menopausal symptoms.
- Dietary Therapy: It is recommended to consume foods that help tonify Kidney Qi and nourish the Liver and Kidneys, such as black sesame, walnuts, yam, goji berries, and black beans. Avoid spicy, irritating, greasy, or cold foods. Maintain a balanced and nutritious diet, including plenty of whole grains, lean meats, fish, legumes, vegetables, and fruits.
- Here are some foods that may help increase testosterone levels: oysters, red meat, almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, broccoli, cauliflower, avocado, salmon, sardines, etc.
- Lifestyle Adjustment: Maintain a regular routine, avoid excessive fatigue, and balance work and rest.
- Emotional Regulation: Maintain an optimistic mindset, avoid emotional fluctuations, actively participate in social activities, and cultivate hobbies.
- Regular Exercise: Consistent moderate physical activity, especially resistance training (like weightlifting) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), helps increase testosterone levels. Recommended exercises include squats, deadlifts, push-ups, and sprints. You can refer to the "3-3-3 Principle" for exercise.
- Adequate Sleep: Ensuring 7-9 hours of sufficient sleep every night is crucial for hormone regulation. Establish regular sleep habits.
- Stress Management: Learn to effectively manage stress through methods like meditation, yoga, or cultivating hobbies to reduce pressure. Actively participate in social activities and seek support from family and friends. If necessary, seek professional psychological counseling or therapy.
Male menopause is not a dreaded beast; it is a natural physiological stage in a man's life. By understanding its symptoms, actively seeking treatment, and adopting a healthy lifestyle, men can smoothly navigate this special period, maintain their physical and mental health, and enjoy a high-quality middle and older age.
Kontea Recommendation Products
Full of Vim and Vigour Deer’s Tail Soup
Effects: The deer's tail is rich in protein and vitamins, which can effectively strengthen the waist and kidney, greatly supplement deficiency, enhance physical strength, eliminate fatigue, and promote blood circulation. It is a great health care food for the whole body. Cooking together with the traditional tonic used herbs - Codonopsis Pilosula and Cordyceps Flower can revitalize the body, protect the kidneys and liver, improve the Yin & Yang energy and immune system as well. KONTEA chooses to use healthy and active free-range chickens, and carefully selected and seasoned only with Japanese scallops and sea salt.
Suitable for: People who suffer from lower back and leg pains, afraid of cold, dizziness, apathy, and sexual malfunction.
Strong Waist Soup
Effects: People of the modern era are under heavy stress; their bodies are getting frail and they need to start taking care of their liver in order to focus and improve their health. Eucommia and black beans are great for the kidney, energy, and bone and nerve strength, and Gordon Euryale seeds are great for removing dampness in the spleen as well.
Suitable for: Recommended for people with frequent lower body pains and urination in the middle of the night. If you experience leucorrhoea (whitish or yellowish discharge), it may be caused by excessive internal dampness, and it is recommended to include this into your diet.
Black Bean Soup
Effects: People of the modern era are under heavy stress; their bodies are getting frail and they need to start taking care of their liver in order to focus and improve their health. Eucommia and black beans are great for the kidney, energy, and bone and nerve strength, and Gordon Euryale seeds are great for removing dampness in the spleen as well.
Suitable for: Recommended for people with frequent lower body pains and urination in the middle of the night. If you experience leucorrhoea (whitish or yellowish discharge), it may be caused by excessive internal dampness, and it is recommended to include this into your diet.
Tonic Paste
Effects: Nourishing kidneys and strengthen the nerves and bones, and eradicate rheumatism.
Suitable for: People who experience bodily pains, frequently visit the bathroom at night, hair in white, sweating during night,sex apathy, spermatorrhea and etc.
Vitality Herbal Paste
Effects: Increases vitality and detoxes. Protects the liver, decreases stress, improves blood circulation, Improves allergic constitution, prevents fatigue, improves vitality and Strengthen Immune System.
Suitable for: Commonly recommended for children or the elderly, bad appetite, bloating, stomach pains, frequent fever, sinus, sweating, and fatigue. Enuresis in children, bad digestion, diarrhea, stool with undigested food scraps.
Kang Won Herbalist
Kang Won TCM Practitioner also recommends seeking medical attention as soon as rheumatic symptoms begin to appear. Early consultation allows us to provide you with suitable treatment and prevention plans based on your symptoms and underlying causes.
Our TCM Practitioner specializes in diagnosing and treating various internal health issues in the internal medicine field. We are dedicated to balancing the body's energy flow to alleviate internal problems and improve overall health. Therefore, if you have any concerns about rheumatic diseases, we welcome you to consult with us in person to learn more.
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