The Male Menopause:
My th or Midlife Crisis? Noel McDermott
Psychotherapist Noel McDermott examines the lifestyle, psychological and social factors behind the ‘male menopause’ and the life transitions that take place during male middle age. Older men in their late 40s and early 50s are usually affected, with many men developing depression, loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other physical and emotional symptoms usually linked to declining testosterone levels and aging.
T
he male menopause is unlike the female menopause and debate ranges as to whether or not it’s a useful term. Both relate to changes in reproductive health and reproductive status, but the male menopause does
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not have the same level of biological transition. Mostly accounts of the female menopause actually refer to the peri-menopause stage, the time when women are going through most physical changes with the body reducing the production of oestrogen and what happens when that drops. In men there is no equivalent hormonal process as testosterone levels don’t drop in the same way. Psychotherapist Noel McDermott comments: “With men there is neither the defined medical changes or the specific time and age that defines the female menopause. Nevertheless, andropause or male menopause is a useful concept to use to aggregate a number of important life transitions that take place during middle age for men”.
LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE
Erectile dysfunction (ED) and diminished sexual function Some of the midlife changes’ men go through are linked to reproductive health and many can experience issues around erectile dysfunction, something which can also be affected by lifestyle. This can lead to a significant amount of psychological distress and many men don’t get help from their doctors due to issues in general about avoiding help and also because of the psychological distress it can cause. The UK recently removed the medication for ED from prescription to over the counter, mostly to stop the risky buying of the medications online. There are lifestyle issues related to this as well and psychological therapy can help with ED and lower libido, as can stopping smoking, cutting down on drinking, losing weight etc. www.lancmag.com
