50 shades of hormones: The andropause edition
To be honest, I was not fully aware of what andropause was until you asked me about it,” says Mahesh Mirpuri.
In many of my previous articles, I have talked quite frequently about women going through menopause. I have always found it unfair, everything that we have to endure as the female species. It starts with getting our period, then our chest hurts because our boobs are growing. We go on to getting pimples, then the extreme heartbreaks because our crush does not feel the same way about us. Then there is the pain of losing our virginity.
For some, pregnancy follows, along with the pressure to lose weight, breastfeeding, then perimenopause and menopause, and everything that comes with it. I have not even touched the topic of school, friendships, career, raising a family, and all that jazz.
Of lifestyle changes and turning points
This time, I decided to find out what happens to men and how they feel about getting into their 50s and beyond.
“After doing some research, I realized that some of its characteristics do start to appear as we age, and understanding it actually helps explain a few changes I have noticed over the years,” Mirpuri says. “About seven years ago, my cholesterol reached a high of 348, which became a turning point for me.”
He continues, “Since then, I committed to a complete lifestyle change that included eating better, working out consistently, and prioritizing my health. That journey helped bring my cholesterol down to 120 and helped me lose about 50 pounds. Today, I am probably the strongest I have ever been, largely because I have made physical activity a non-negotiable part of my routine.”
Raymond Rufino, 48 and a real estate entrepreneur, says, “I have heard about andropause, but honestly, I am not clear on exactly what changes or symptoms come with it. I am definitely much more health-conscious now and paying more attention to my body.”
Finding a rhythm that works
Andropause is the gradual decrease in testosterone levels as men age. This can lead to physical, sexual, and mood-related symptoms such as low libido, fatigue, loss of muscle mass, and feelings of depression. It is also referred to as late-onset hypogonadism, or male menopause.
Symptoms usually begin to be noticeable after the age of 40, although testosterone decline actually begins around age 30. Because of this, men can experience hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and breast swelling or tenderness.
I asked photographer and visual artist Mark Nicdao if he was going through any of these symptoms, and he also told me that he knew nothing about andropause until I asked him. “Nothing has changed so far. I feel the same as when I was in college, to be frank,” he says.
“Because I sleep a lot and regularly exercise, my mental and physical health has been stable. When I was 35, I became fully aware of the importance of taking care of oneself. Now that I am 46, I feel the profound positive effect on my health,” he adds.
There are ways to lessen the severity of andropause symptoms, and Mirpuri seems to have found a rhythm that works for him.
“Being 48, things are harder now, especially losing belly fat. I have incorporated different wellness practices such as red light therapy, cold plunges, sauna sessions, meditation, supplements, and sleep tracking,” Mirpuri explains.
“I serve as the President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce in the Philippines, aside from several businesses, so there is a lot on my plate. I used to blame the occasional forgetfulness on having too much work, but now I understand that it may be age-related. Still, staying active, learning continuously, and managing stress help me stay sharp,” he adds.
A hormonal roller coaster
When you think about it, dealing with menopause and andropause may be similar in terms of moodiness, hot flashes, lower sex drive, and general fatigue. Even then, I still feel that women have it worse. And honestly, if you ask my friends and me, sex is not all that important anymore. Perhaps when we reach 60, that can change but that is a story for another decade.
At the end of the day, men and women all go through some kind of hormonal roller coaster as we age. The difference is that women scream on the ride, cry a little, and then fix their hair after. Men pretend that nothing is happening while holding on to the safety bar for dear life.
So maybe the only real advice for anyone going through andropause or menopause is this. Stay healthy, stay kind, stay hydrated, and for the love of humanity, stay patient.
Because if the universe insists on aging us gracefully, the least we can do is laugh, moisturize, and not kill anyone before bedtime.
