Max Hospital Holds Health Talk On Andropause:100 Senior Citizens Attend The Talk

By 121 News Reporter

Chandigarh 24^th February:-- As many as 100 senior citizens attended a health talk on ‘Andropause, the lesser known truth’ held at Max Super Specialty Hospital (MSSH),Mohali today.

Speaking during occasion, Dr Preeti Jindal, Sr Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MSSH, Mohali said that there was ample information about menopause among women but few Indian men would know that something akin to menopause could affect them too. In India about 35% of men between 40-80 years were affected by Andropause, the male counterpart of the Menopause that affected women. Most of them would get a shock on learning that they suffer from, or at a risk of Andropause, also known as ADAMs disease (Androgen Deficiency in Ageing Males).

She said further unfortunately unlike female menopause the Andropause was much less recognized and still considered a taboo.  It was a natural cessation of the sexual function in the older men and was caused by a decline in the testosterone, the male hormone. ADAMs prevalence was rising in the North India. The primary symptoms of Andropause did not just related to the loss of sexual function and libido in males, but also a simultaneous decreased in the bone density and muscle mass and sometimes obesity.”

Interestingly Andopause appeared in literature in 1952. It usually starts after the age of 30, as after that an annual drop of 1 % is recorded in testosterone levels.

But not many men would seek doctor’s help for two reasons due to one social stigma or the other lack of awareness, pointed out DR. Jindal. It was estimated that 70% men with ADAMs diseases remained undiagnosed because of ignorance. Many would accept their deteorating strength and vigour as a part of natural ageing process, informed Dr Jindal.

Dr Jindal remarked that due to declining testosterone levels, men would undergo problems like fatigue, memory loss, frequent anger, anxiety, irritability, sudden loss or gain in weight, lethargy, restlessness, but not able to reason the changes. The main pointers were low sex drive, decreased muscle mass, loss of muscular strength.