We often hear about menopause in women, but male menopause happens too. What is the difference between female menopause and male menopause? How should we respond? Let’s face up to this inevitable stage of life together today, and calmly face the physical and mental changes in ourselves and those around us.
Menopause symptoms
Menopausal symptoms vary from woman to woman, but common ones include:
- Irregular menstruation: The menstrual cycle becomes unpredictable, with periods being longer or shorter and the flow varying.
- Hot flashes and night sweats: Sudden warmth, especially in the face, neck, and chest, often accompanied by heavy sweating.
- Emotional changes: Mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and depression.
- Osteoporosis: Decreased bone density, increasing fracture risk.
- Cardiovascular symptoms: Elevated blood pressure, palpitations, and angina.
- Abdominal discomfort: Bloating, abdominal pain, digestive issues, etc.
Andropause (male menopause) symptoms
Male menopause refers to a series of physical and psychological symptoms that occur when men enter middle age due to changes in hormone levels. These symptoms may be gradual or may appear suddenly. Here are some common symptoms you may experience with male menopause:
- Hot flashes and night sweats: Similar to hot flashes in women during menopause, menopausal men may also experience sudden body heat accompanied by night sweats.
- Mood swings: Menopausal men may experience mood swings, including anxiety, irritability, depression and other mood changes.
- Physical fatigue: Feeling tired and lacking energy is one of the common symptoms of male menopause.
- Sleep problems: including insomnia, disrupted nighttime sleep and decreased sleep quality.
- Weight gain: Male menopause may be accompanied by weight gain, especially around the waist and abdomen.
- Decreased bone density: Male menopause may increase the risk of osteoporosis due to declining testicular hormone levels.
Andropause VS Menopause
Similarities:
Physical symptoms: Both male and female menopause can be accompanied by changes in physical symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings, sleep problems, etc.
Changes in hormone levels: Both male and female menopause involve changes in hormone levels, such as a drop in testicular hormone levels in men and a drop in estrogen levels in women.
Psychological effects: Menopause can have an impact on the mental health of both men and women, such as anxiety, depression and other emotional issues.
Differences:
Physiological manifestations: Male menopause may present with sexual dysfunction, decreased physical strength and other problems, while female menopause involves physiological changes such as the cessation of menstruation and decreased bone density.
Social and cultural concepts: The recognition and discussion of female menopause is relatively common, while male menopause is often ignored or despised.
Take control of your health at HKD10 per day
12-month programme costs only HKD3,650. Start your health journey with Better She now!
How should men and women deal with menopause?
The arrival of menopause is the most natural phenomenon on the male and female journey of life. Therefore, to better embrace the new challenges, we need to better equip ourselves physically and mentally to make for a smooth transition:
1. Sufficient intake of 4 key nutrients
First, the most simple and direct way is to take in various nutrients to deal with different changes of the body. Consuming enough calcium-rich foods such as milk, dairy, calcium tablets or sesame not only helps with sleeping and alleviates stress, but also strengthens bones and prevents osteoporosis. Eating more whole-grain produce, green vegetables, dairy and bean products that are rich in Vitamin B10 can also lead to more stable moods, better memory and metabolism. On the other hand, having more magnesium-high foods including seaweeds, oats, nuts and bananas can calm nerves and ease irritation, tranquilising the mind. Finally, consuming foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids like deep sea fish, plant oil and nuts, can improve hot flush symptoms associated with menopause, as well as alleviating depression, and delay brain aging.
2. Replenish hormonal levels
As hormones begin to decline during menopause, men can consume more oysters, prawns and crabs as supplements in case of zinc deficiency, and boost testosterone secretions; while women are advised to obtain soy isoflavones through bean produce such as tofu and soy milk, which can also boost female estrogens.
Take control of your health at HKD10 per day
12-month programme costs only HKD3,650. Start your health journey with Better She now!
3. Maintain healthy lifestyles
As metabolism slows after menopause, fat accumulation becomes more prone in the body, therefore a healthy lifestyle like avoiding foods with high oil, sugar or energy content, quitting smoking and alcohol and doing more exercise, can keep the body at a fit state. Furthermore, choosing more competitive sports to stimulate more hormonal secretions will also help along with a positive outlook and attitude.
4. Regular body checks and suitable treatments
Menopause is a long process, taking good care of yourself with long-term physical and mental support is vitally important. Regular body checks can enable you to uncover any hidden health issues and take early action on treatment, giving yourself more sufficient time to deal with body changes. In terms of the psychological aspect, when confronted with mood swings, depression, and irritability that are characteristic of menopause, seeking assistance from mental health experts and engaging in counseling can help us gain a better understanding of our emotional changes, develop effective coping mechanisms, and strengthen our ability to handle stress.
Take control of your health at HKD10 per day
12-month programme costs only HKD3,650. Start your health journey with Better She now!
AXA’s ‘Better She’ Programme which is tailor–made to support women in their journey to navigate menopause, offers not just comprehensive gynecological health check-ups, but also gynecological and psychological health consultation services, providing all-round support to women undergoing menopause.
Regardless of gender, menopause is an inevitable stage of life that should be approached with a positive mindset and the right strategies. It is important for us to find a balance during this process and ensure a smooth transition into the next stage of life.
1. 沈淼, 王振斌. (2019). 中年男性更年期心理問題的探討. 山東醫藥, 59(8), 180-181. (Chinese only)
2. 李喜康, 顏鋼, 廖星傑. (2016). 男性更年期問題的研究進展. 華西醫學, 31(10), 1664-1666. (Chinese only)
3. 陳勇, 黎青, 段洪斌. (2018). 男性更年期症候群的臨床特點和治療進展. 中國社會醫學雜誌, 35(10), 1070-1072. (Chinese only)
4. 孫淑琴, 李淑貞, 黃貴華. (2019). 更年期女性心理健康問題研究進展. 醫學與哲學, 40(3), 108-110. (Chinese only)
5. 黃青, 林海鵬, 劉東芝. (2020). 更年期女性心理健康問題調查與分析. 中國醫學導報, 17(4), 98-100. (Chinese only)
6. 黃菊香, 李寶梅, 陳珊. (2016). 更年期女性心理健康問題的現狀調查與分析. 實用中醫內科雜誌, 30(3), 135-137. (Chinese only)
7. 潮健康 COOL HEALTH，《不分男女！ 發生「12種徵兆」就是更年期警訊？ 營養師：快吃這些營素緩解症狀》https://blog.coolhealth.com.tw/2023/04/27/menopause-signs-prevention (Chinese only)
8. 健康2.0，《男生也會更年期！中醫曝男女更年期症候群大不同 出現提不起勁、心情低落也要注意》https://health.tvbs.com.tw/strong/334101 (Chinese only)
9. Center for Health Protection: Men's Health Line - Andropause https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/static/80026.html
The above content is reviewed by Dr Alexander Chiu - Chief Medical Officer of AXA Hong Kong and Macau.
Terms and conditions apply. For more details, please refer to ‘Better She’ Programme’s promotional website and leaflets.
Information and materials provided is general in nature and does not constitute medical or health advice from AXA Hong Kong and is on an “as is” and “as-available” basis without representation and/or warranty of any kind, either express or implied. While AXA Hong Kong has taken reasonable care in providing such information and materials, they are not specific to your investment objective, financial situation, health or medical conditions or particular needs. No warranty or responsibility is assumed by AXA Hong Kong and our related or holding companies regarding non-infringement, security, accuracy, completeness, adequacy, reasonableness, fitness for a purpose or free from computer viruses in connection with the information and materials provided. AXA Hong Kong and our related companies and holding companies do not accept any liability for any loss, damage, cost or other expense, whether wholly or partially, directly or indirectly, arising from any error, inaccuracy or omission of the information and materials to the extent that such liability is not excluded by law.
You may also be interested in
Better She: Menopause Health Management Programme
100% of women go through menopause, but none should worry. This journey is a new phase filled with strength and self-discovery. Better She, a 12-month menopause health management programme, supports every woman through this life-changing journey. From in-person consultations, body scans, symptom relief and more, she will Be On Track to 100% with Better She.
Follow AXA
