New York, Oct. 20, 2007
Male Menopause? No Myth
Dr. Holly Phillips Explores Symptoms And Treatments For The Male Change
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Play CBS Video Video Spotting Male Menopause Most people associate menopause with women, but can men be affected as well? Dr. Holly Phillips tells Chris Wragge the surprising answer.
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Video Keeping Dad Healthy Statistics show that men are more prone to sickness and injury. As Dr. Emily Senay suggests to Russ Mitchell, what better than to give dad the gift of health this Father's Day.
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(AP/CBS)
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Interactive HealthWatch Explore health issues including AIDS, cancer and antibiotics.
Early Show "Healthwatch" contributor Dr. Holly Phillips has surprising information about male menopause.
Is there really a male menopause? This isn't something we've heard that much about.
Yes, men do have drops in hormone levels like women. For men it's testosterone, for women it's estrogen. The big difference is, for women menopause signals a time when they stop ovulating, when they can no longer have babies. Men through their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, it's a different situation.
Men can feel symptoms - lethargy for one. What's most important is if you are having symptoms, if have fatigue, you don't feel like yourself, the most important thing is to get to the doctor because it may not be male menopause causing these symptoms.
Symptoms:
At what age do you need to be on the lookout if you are experiencing any or all of these things?
Male menopause is different in that it starts earlier and goes over a long period of time. You can see changes beginning in your 40s and then go all the way through your 80s.
How is it diagnosed?
There's a blood test to test for testosterone levels. More importantly, get to the doctor and make sure nothing else is going on.
Do you get a sense that more and more people are coming in with symptoms of male menopause? Is it something that's basically turned a new leaf here medically - is it more prevalent than ten years ago?
I would say people are more interested in it, they're looking at possible symptoms. And there are treatments as well: We can give testosterone, usually in injections or a gel or patch form. But it's not for everyone because there are risks.
There are certain things you can do non-medically to not exacerbate some of the symptoms. These are certain behaviors you really need to stay away from:
Risk Factors:
I mean, you take part in all that, and forget about it - you'll have these symptoms a lot sooner. One more good reason to take care of yourself by exercising - you don't have to be in the gym for hours a day, a half an hour four times a week is enough to make a really big difference.
Side effects to treatments?
There can be side effects. Just like with women's hormone replacement therapy, men's has risks, too. It can increase your chances of getting a blood clot, and cause increased chances of prostate cancer. So it's you and your doctor making this decision together.
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Add a Comment See all 39 Comments
- "These are certain behaviors you really need to stay away from:
Risk Factors:
Excessive Alcohol
Smoking
High Blood Pressure
Poor Diet
Lack of Exercise"
Oh, honestly. Ya think? Is this the newsflash of the day? - Reply to this comment
- sure they go thru the change of life tho different than us ladies who go thru the change. As a woman I hated it. It made me weak just my mother. For men,it is a rite of passage to becoming a senior.
- Reply to this comment
- good promotional for the capitalistic medical
community, patronized by the leisure classes.
physician heal thyself? aren''t medical dictatorships
great to live in? its'' a matter of world health.
feeling paying taxes to the us public health
service? oh, but what do you care about health?
can money buy you eternal life? eternal health?
how about feeling eternally ill? the injured
and the problem of pain by c.s. lewis. well
most of us just rely on faith healing. why?
what gave the guy a heart attack was the doctors
and hospitals bill. i worked in a collection
agency as a full-charge bookkeeper. most of
our clients were doctors, who wanted to squeeze
blood out of turnips. interest upon interest they
owed. so many were found in contempt of court.
those who owed and owed and owed. collection
agencies love deadbeats. without them, they
don''t make a living. how ironic. and symbiotic. - Reply to this comment
- Nothing really new here. The male menopause has been covered in the scientific literature for years.
- Reply to this comment
- erasmus6...
I''ll see this man in a few months and get more details. He lives in Nova Scotia and visits from New Years through April. Perhaps the infection lingered or presented difficulties he knew nothing about. - Reply to this comment
- "He had to wait one year or so to have his teeth replaced after they were pulled out due to an infection." posted by drivelphobe
Yikes,are you kidding me? I have never heard of such a thing. I have known people that have had their teeth pulled and usually they get the teeth replaced immediately. The only thing I can think of is that maybe this person''s infection was severe and maybe because of it they couldn''t take impressions because of swelling or something. Also they would not want to replace them until all sign of infection was gone but a year seems like an awful long time. Maybe he had a hard time getting rid of the infection or they wanted to wait and make sure it wouldn''t come back. - Reply to this comment
- To answer the question about blood clots: It''s just that the testosterone causes you to produce more red blood cells which, ideally, you should find a way to reduce. My doctor simply told me to give blood regularly. That apparently has more than an immediate impact on one''s red blood cell supply.
- Reply to this comment
- Hi erasmus6..
I''m never mad at you. Your opinions are backed with clear thinking and logic. I don''t always agree, but that''s why we can have a conversation.
I''m not a fan of the Clintons, but,in my opinion, you are correct regarding your statement about the qualities of women. Not only are they more peaceful seeking and concerned about familiy, they have a keen ability for verbal confrontation and are often far better on their feet than men. Women learn early in life how to defend themselves and make postions clear using skills other than fist fights and physical intimidation. They learn to use their language skills and their brains way ahead of the males. They make excellent attorneys.
The male menapause brought out lots of sideline discussion. You are right that I do feel it is every person for themselves regarding healthcare, except for the truly needy, thus our Medicaid system.
I hope we do learn something from Canada''s health care program. I have no factual knowledge of your health system other than a situation with a personal acquaintance. He had to wait one year or so to have his teeth replaced after they were pulled out due to an infection. He was very upset about the delay.
Have a great weekend and I''ll watch for more of your stimulating comments in the future. - Reply to this comment
- Gaye5
One thing I do know is that people will come up with all sorts of things to discredit someone, it doesn''t make it true, though. - Reply to this comment
- Gaye5
"Wasn''''t Hillary involved in some crimes a few years ago before her husband made the white house??? one was something to do with land???"
I think I did hear something about that but nothing came of it. I don''t think she was guilty of any wrong doing.
"...and Wasn''''t there something to do with three boys who were hiding and who saw a plane come in which was loaded with drugs etc..."
I have never heard of anything like that. Maybe you are thinking of someone else. - Reply to this comment
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