What Causes Mood Swings in Men?

The National Mental Health Information Center reports that mood swings are a form of mental disorder that affects millions of Americans each year. Although mood disorders can be a serious mental illness, they are treatable. Environmental factors and/or chemical imbalances in the brain may contribute to a person's mood swings. If left untreated, chronic mood swings can become debilitating.

Mood Swings at Andropause

There is a common knowledge that women get severe mood swings while at menopause, and the family members, friends and coworkers usually are able to accept these changes with understanding and patience. Until recently, men’s mood swings were not considered as character traits, which have any excuse to be tolerated. Now mood swings, commonly associated with female menopause, are now also being more accepted as a common side effect of male menopause as well. These symptoms that keep coming up time and time again are a natural part of the aging process, with men reporting a loss of drive at work and at play, feeling nothing is of use anymore and losing interest in hobbies and previous favorite past times.

The burn out, which can be physical and emotional, is backed by lack of motivation, enthusiasm and vitality experienced by andropausal men due to reduced hormone production during Andropause. Depression too, is a common complaint.

Many men feel emotional highs and lows during Andropause and these mood swings or ‘feeling down’ in certain cases can go beyond the occasional bouts of irritability and frustration to more severe problems like clinical depression, if not checked in time.

Doctors suggest that the loss of assertiveness and confidence due to bodily changes like increased body fat and decreased muscle tone, sleep problems and memory loss/difficulty in concentration that men go through during Andropause are symptoms that combine to cause mood swings.

The change in self image and perceived social image can cause andropausal men to feel uncertain about themselves and actual physical dysfunction may precipitate the mood swings as a loss of libido creeps up on patients- a touchy topic for all men needing to feel and be virile.

Mood Swings Symptoms

When men suffer from mood swings, they’re likely to display one or more of the symptoms listed below.

Unreasonable Censure

Men could consider their mood swings inexplicable but because of their nature, they will do their best to find a reason for it. Unless they’ve been properly diagnosed, they’re liable to blame others for their mood swings. Now, if there’s absolutely no other person to blame for their condition then men would usually resort to blaming themselves.

Anger and Irritability

Mood swings also make people more irritable and quicker to anger than usual. Mood swings are exhausting because it requires you to feel more than usual. One moment you’re happy, the next moment you’re down, and feeling like this several times a day certainly won’t make anyone feel good.

Creating and Avoiding Conflict

Mood swings make men feel unbalanced and unable to control their emotions. Because of this, they are more prone to create or avoid conflict, depending on the situation. If they feel they’re unable to cope with a problem then they’re likely to sweep it under the rug rather than face it head on. Then again, they can choose to alleviate their frustrations by creating conflicts instead.

Poor Sleeping Habits

Last but not the least, sleep is also affected by mood swings. Men could seek sleep excessively in order to avoid mood swings. On the other hand, men could also suffer from sleep deprivation because of mood swings.

Causes of Mood Swings

The most significant concern, or even crisis stage, for andropausal men is when they have to deal with unanticipated physical and psychological changes as knowledge about Andropause is very limited for the average male.

Mood swings in men are generally related to the hormonal misbalance during male menopause. Actually, it is caused by high levels of cortisol and low levels of testosterone in their organisms. Cortisol is a stress hormone and normal cortisol levels ensure that you are able to handle stress without letting stress affect our health. Medical experts explain that men are relatively poor in handling stress in daily life, comparing with women, and so high levels of cortisol hormone secretion in men causes harm to muscles and bones and increases fat content in the body. Excess cortisol also affects the functioning of testosterone in the body and this eventually results in increased body fat and difficulty in handling stress.  Due to the lack of bio-available testosterone during Andropause, men have lowered amounts in their blood. Therefore, tissues in the body that are stimulated by testosterone receive lower than normal doses and various physical and possibly mental changes occur - primary ones being mood swings or fatigue.

Testosterone is produced naturally and it is a very good mood stabilizer. However, the absence of it can cause several damages and also cause depression and anxiety. Even slightly low levels can actually trigger the mood swings and unpredictable behavior in affected men.

Mood Swings not related to Andropause

While this post primary deals with medical conditions, associated with male menopause, we would like to mention other possible causes of the mood swings, which require careful medical attention, as they may be just the symptoms of the severe medical illnesses.

Bipolar Disorder

The primary symptoms of the mania and depression associated with bipolar disorder include both behavioral and mood changes. People with bipolar disorder can experience long periods of manic and depressive episodes. Sometimes the episodes are so severe that they interfere with the individual's activities of daily living. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, although most individuals who have a family history of bipolar disorder do not develop the mental illness, they are four to six times more likely to suffer the disorder if they have a parent or sibling who has it. Men with bipolar disorder may also abuse alcohol or drugs and have relationship problems.

Diabetes

Maria Collazo-Clavell, M.D., an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, points out that extreme fluctuation in blood sugar levels can contribute to changes in mood, which people with diabetes may experience. Check your blood sugar level on a routine basis, but especially when you notice a mood change. Talk to your doctor if mood swings persist or occur often. Your medication may need to be adjusted.

Other causes

Mood swings can occur as a symptom of psychiatric disorders, besides bipolar disorder, we mentioned above, like borderline personality disorder, or they may result from a medical condition that directly affects the central nervous system, such as dementia, brain tumors, meningitis, and stroke. Mood swings can also result from conditions that deprive the brain of nutrients and oxygen, such as lung and cardiovascular diseases. Substance abuse and medication side effects are other potential causes of mood swings.

Treatment of Andropausal Mood Swings

If you feel that you have severe mood swings, that it is not like you, get alarmed to talk to your doctor. You may suspect that the reason is related to your andropause, but you need to be absolutely sure that your mood swings do not point to other than hormones fluctuation, medical condition. It may be easily treatable if you catch it early, and it may be deadly, if you catch it too late.

As far as you are confident that the mood swings are related to male menopause, follow the general recommendations on how to deal with this condition. However, most health experts agree that the mood swings andropausal men go through can also be largely affected by other symptoms like loss of fertility and decreased libido, sleep problems, hot flashes, increase in body weight and muscle loss. Diagnosing the causes and underlying conditions that are controllable can help treat mood swings and keep them at a minimum during Andropause - and stop you from turning the grumpy old man syndrome into a horrible reality for yourself and your loved ones.

Remember, if you got it, you are not along. Mood swings have been reported by many Andropause patients and in some cases they were reported in package with mild depression, say medical health experts working to raise awareness about male menopause at the national level. Unfortunately, there are no known studies to compare rates of depression in the pre-Andropause and post-Andropause stages in men, though the mood swings associated with changes in testosterone levels can be treated with testosterone implants readily available now.

Patients feeling low in spirits have been helped to alleviate mood swings through antidepressants but the best remedy still remains as open discussions and psychological counseling to bring back feelings of self- worth.

Good nutrition, health active lifestyle, comforting atmosphere at home, stress relieving techniques, and proper awareness of the causes and effects are the best ways to deal with the enemy. In many cases, you can win without medicines and hormone replacement therapy. However, if the conditions are severe, talk to your doctor on possibilities of applying the heavy medical artillery.

Sources and Additional Reading:

http://www.everythingandropause.com/articles/moodswings.php

http://www.livestrong.com/article/149404-what-causes-mood-swings-in-men/

http://www.elderlyjournal.com/menopause/mood-swings/Can-Low-Testerone-Cause-Mood-Swings.html

http://www.bettermedicine.com/article/mood-swings

http://mood-swings.bafree.net/symptoms-of-mood-swings-in-men.php

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/mood-swings-in-men.html

Bones Deterioration and Osteoporosis with Aging: Andropause Symptoms

Bones grow in length and density during a person's younger years. Bone density relates to the mineral content of the tissue. People reach their maximum height during their teens, but bone density continues to increase until about age 30. After that point, bones slowly start to lose density and strength. Throughout life, bone density is affected by heredity, sex hormones, physical activity, diet, lifestyle choices, and the use of certain medications.

In their 50s, men do not experience the rapid loss of bone mass that women have in the years following menopause. "But some men do have a hormonal drop-off in testosterone, with skeletal consequences that are similar to those seen in women following reduction of estrogen," explains Bruce Schneider, a medical officer in the FDA's Division of Metabolic and Endocrine Drug Products. Testosterone may diminish as a result of hypogonadism, a condition marked by decreased function of the testicles. Testosterone levels also may decrease naturally as a man ages. This loss of sex hormone eventually can result in accelerated bone loss. Whether bone loss at this point translates into osteoporosis, however, depends on how much bone a man has when the loss begins, and how quickly he loses it.

By age 65 or 70, men and women lose bone mass at similar rates, and the absorption of calcium, an essential nutrient for bone health throughout life, decreases in both sexes.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, which means "porous bone", is a disease characterized by progressive bone thinning. The deterioration of bone tissue can lead to bone fragility and fracture, especially of the:

• hip
• spine
• wrist

Osteoporosis gradually weakens bones and can lead to painful and debilitating fractures. It is characterized by low bone density (how solid bones are) and structural deterioration of bone tissue. Often called the "silent disease," osteoporosis usually progresses without symptoms until it is diagnosed following a fracture.

Osteoporosis is seen less often in men than in women because men generally have larger, stronger bones, and because men don't usually experience the abrupt and substantial hormonal changes, associated with andropause, that women do following menopause. Also, bone loss begins later and advances more slowly in men than in women. However, the National Institutes of Health says that the problem of osteoporosis in men recently has been recognized as an important public health issue, especially in light of estimates that the number of men above age 70 will double between 1993 and 2050.

Today, more than 2 million American men have osteoporosis, and another 3 million are at risk for the disease, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). Each year, men suffer one-third of all hip fractures, and one-third of these men will not survive more than one year. In addition to hip fractures, men most often experience fractures of the spine and wrist due to osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Types

In men, there are two main types of osteoporosis: primary and secondary. In primary osteoporosis, there may be no identifiable cause (idiopathic) or it may be the result of age-related bone loss. Often, these two conditions overlap, and distinguishing between them is arbitrary. Secondary osteoporosis in men can be due to a variety of causes. Low testosterone (hypogonadism), medications such as prednisone that can lead to steroid excess, and alcoholism are among the important causes of secondary osteoporosis in men.

Once bone is lost, it cannot be completely replaced using currently available therapies. Therefore, it is essential that men be evaluated and treated before significant bone loss has occurred. Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis later.

Risk Factors

Aging and andropause effects represent the significant risk factor for men. In addition, the following lifestyle features are considered as substantial supplementary risk factors:

• Excessive alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. Smoking and alcohol are on the list of risk factors. Smoking has been associated with lower bone density. Because of the negative impact smoking has on health, it is recommended people avoid smoking. High levels of alcohol intake (over 50 units per week in men or 35 units in women) are associated with osteoporosis too, therefore it should be avoided or limited.
• Inactive lifestyle. Building strong bones, especially before age 30, can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis. Exercise is imperative to good bone health. Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, dancing, jogging, stair-climbing, racquetball, tennis, and hiking are recognized as the best type of exercise to promote good bone health. If you have been sedentary for most of your adult life, the NOF recommends you ask your doctor before starting an exercise program.
• Not balanced diet, low in calcium. Calcium is needed for the heart, muscles, and nerves to properly function, for blood to clot, and is needed to grow and maintain healthy bones. The NOF emphasizes the importance of getting the daily recommended amount of calcium (between 1000 and 1300 mg/day) and vitamin D (between 400 and 800 IU/day), if not from your diet, then by taking supplements. Vitamin D is needed for the body to absorb calcium.
• Use of corticosteroid medications
• Use of anticonvulsant drugs
• Excessive use of caffeine and soda. The link between osteoporosis and caffeinated sodas is not clear, but caffeine and phosphoric acid in the drinks may interfere with calcium absorption. Caffeine, also found in coffee and tea, is also a diuretic, which may increase mineral loss.

Warning Signs

There are many warning signs that you may be at risk for premature osteoporosis and bone deterioration. These warning signs, although rather obvious, are commonly overlooked.

Did you know that an abnormally foul taste in your mouth may be a sign of deteriorating bone health? Because bone health requires, to some extent, a pH balance within the body, the noticeable bad breath you may be experiencing, could be the first indication that your body's pH balance is in a state of flux. In fact, for individuals who participate in diets such as the Aitkin's diet, the state of acidosis commonly leads to bad breath, thus an indication the body's pH is not in balance, a risk factor for deteriorating bone health.

Because protein is important to bone health, it is also important to monitor the outward signs of obvious protein insufficiencies. The most common place to find evidence of protein deficiency is in the hair and nails. Because these are nourished by blood flow, any deficiency of protein will, in many cases, show up in the hair and nails with hair turning dry, brittle and weak and nails easily peeling off in layers.

Another aspect of deteriorating bone health lies in the abnormal change in behavior. Again, because there is an imbalance in the body, many women who experience premature osteoporosis find they may have suffered from a greater incidence of insomnia and restlessness in the months and years before their deteriorating bone health was diagnosed. Stress may play a key factor into the development of premature osteoporosis as well.

And, finally, your gums and teeth are a clear indication of potential bone deterioration. While the research is still out on the connections of bone health to the teeth and gums, some researchers have suggested the deterioration of gums and teeth, by eating foods right in acid, may lead to bone deterioration as seen through the damage to the gums and teeth. Because the teeth are also made of bone like material, and the gums are a direct pathway to the circulatory system, consuming foods right in acid, ultimately leading to a breakdown of tooth enamel and gum disease, may be a risk factor for increased bone deterioration overall.

Detection of Osteoporosis

Early detection of osteoporosis is very important. There are tests which can detect bone density problems:

• Low level x-ray on a finger or wrist
• Ultrasound of the heel
• CT scan of the spine
• Bone density scan / DEXA (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorption Test)

Standard x-rays do not detect osteoporosis until one-quarter of bone mass is already lost. By then susceptibility to fracture already exists. DEXA is an early detection tool and can detect as little as one percent of bone loss.

DEXA uses a low level of radiation, focuses on the hip and spine which are common sites of fracture, and is considered safe and comfortable for the patient. However, DEXA which has been called the "gold standard" of bone density tests may not be covered by some insurance plans. People at risk for osteoporosis should get one of the less expensive screenings done first. If there is evidence of bone loss the insurance company will likely pay for a DEXA test since it is then indicated.

Osteoporosis Treatment

Although it cannot be cured, osteoporosis can be slowed down, and steps can be taken to help prevent the disease. In 2001, the FDA approved Fosamax (alendronate) to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis. Fosamax works by reducing the activity of the cells that cause bone loss. The drug was already approved to prevent and treat postmenopausal osteoporosis in women based on studies that indicated it not only increased BMD, but also reduced fractures related to a loss of bone mass. The study in men was designed only to examine the effect on BMD, not on fracture risk. However, it is believed that ultimate fracture benefits are likely to occur in men who experience increases in BMD with treatment, although the relationship between BMD increases and fracture benefits may differ between the genders.

More recently, a novel approach to treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and in men with primary or hypogonadal osteoporosis is being investigated. The active portion of human parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates normal calcium and phosphate metabolism in bones, has been administered by daily injections and shown to stimulate new bone formation, leading to increased bone mineral density. Post-menopausal women treated with this agent showed a reduction in the incidence of osteoporotic fractures relative to those treated with calcium and vitamin D alone. Like Fosamax, the trial of parathyroid hormone in men was not designed to test the effect of treatment on the risk of fractures. However, based on the study in women, some beneficial effect on fracture risk reduction is likely.

Until Fosamax was approved for men with osteoporosis, the FDA had approved medications only for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and steroid-induced osteoporosis in both men and women. Steroids, a class of compounds that includes prednisone and cortisone, are powerful anti-inflammatory substances that are used to treat many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Steroids can cause bone to be removed faster than it is formed, and loss of bone density can occur, increasing the risk for osteoporosis and related fractures. Fosamax and Actonel (risedronate) are approved for use by men and women with steroid-induced osteoporosis.

Tailored to the particular reason for bone loss, the treatment plan for men with osteoporosis will include proper nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle modifications for preventing bone loss and, if needed, one of the FDA-approved osteoporosis medications. Doctors may want to monitor bone density and testosterone levels, recommending testosterone replacement as necessary, and may suggest changes to the current steroid dosage if they feel bone loss is due to steroid use. Finally, maintenance of adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is very important in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.mamashealth.com/bodyparts/osteomen.asp

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/281866/the_outward_signs_of_premature_and.html

http://arthritis.about.com/cs/osteopor/a/boneup.htm

http://arthritis.about.com/od/osteopor/tp/osteoporprevent.htm

http://www.wellness.com/reference/conditions/bone-healing/symptoms-and-causes

Ageing Males' Symptoms (AMS) questionnaire

As we discussed in the previous posts, while you get older, your ability to produce testosterone eventually declines. This decrease in testosterone production, associated with normal ageing process, is referred to as andropause or male menopause. In addition to age-related low testosterone, there are certain medical conditions that can cause low testosterone. These medical conditions can begin at any time, and can affect testosterone levels throughout your life.

Some of these conditions are associated with the testicles, pituitary gland and/or hypothalamus (a part of the brain that controls many of the body’s glands). Occasionally, the problem can be genetic.

When you feel that something is wrong with you, and unwanted age-related changes take their toll, you may need to visit your family doctor for assessment, change your lifestyle and diet, and may be consider the special hormone replacement therapy. But the first step would be to perform internal self-assessment and understand your health status for yourself. We offered andropause self tests in the previous posts. Here, we would like to offer well respected rating scale adopted for multiple medical facilities - the AMS (Aging Males' Symptoms) rating scale.

The AMS was developed by ZEG – The Center for Epidemiology and Health Research in Berlin and gained popularity all over the World.

The Ageing Males Symptoms (AMS) questionnaire is a 17 question self-rating symptoms based questionnaire with three key domains of assessment - mind (5 questions), body (7 questions) and sexual (5 questions). Responses to each question are assigned a rating 1-5 (none to extremely severe) and the total sum of all subscales provides a total score. Scores can range from a total low of 17 to a maximum of 85, with a score measuring greater than 50 considered severe.

Questions

1. Decline in your feeling of general well-being (general state of health, subjective feeling).
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

2. Joint pain and muscular ache (lower back pain, joint pain, pain in a limb, general back ache).
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

3. Excessive sweating (unexpected/sudden episodes of sweating, hot flushes independent of strain).
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

4. Sleep problems (difficulty in falling asleep, difficulty in sleeping through, waking up early and feeling tired, poor sleep, sleeplessness).
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

5. Increased need for sleep, often feeling tired.
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

6. Irritability (feeling aggressive, easily upset about little things, moody).
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

7. Nervousness (inner tension, restlessness, feeling fidgety).
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

8. Anxiety (feeling panicky).
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

9. Physical exhaustion/lacking vitality (general decrease in performance, reduced activity, lacking interest in leisure activities, feeling of getting less done, of achieving less, of having to force oneself to undertake activities).
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

10. Decrease in muscular strength (feeling of weakness).
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

11. Depressive mood (feeling down, sad, on the verge of tears, lack of drive, mood swings, feeling nothing is of any use).
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

12. Feeling that you have passed your peak.
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

13. Feeling burnt out, having hit rock-bottom.
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

14. Decrease in beard growth.
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

15. Decrease in ability/frequency to perform sexually.
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

16. Decrease in the number of morning erections.
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

17. Decrease in sexual desire/libido (lacking pleasure in sex, lacking desire for sexual intercourse).
1. None (Score - 1).
2. Mild (Score – 2)
3. Moderate (Score – 3)
4. Severe (Score – 4)
5. Extremely Severe (Score – 5)

General Assessment

Calculate the final score, summarizing scores for all answers.

17 to 26 Points: You're fine

27 to 36 Points: You are experiencing minor effects of andropause. Regular exercise regimen, stress control and weight management advised.

37 to 49 Points: You are experiencing significant effects of testosterone deficiency. You need to take care of yourself immediately. Hormone replacement therapy might be adviced.

Over 50 Points: You are experiencing severe symptoms of andropause. Discuss your health with your family doctor and develop an action plan immediately.

Sub-systems Assessment

·         To review your Psychological subscale assessment score, summarize the scores for the answers: 6, 7, 8, 11, and 13.

·         To review your Somatic subscale assessment score, summarize the scores for the answers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10.

·         To review your Sexual subscale assessment score, summarize the scores for the answers: 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17.

·         The normal distribution of the scores between the subscales should be as follows: Psychological/Somatic/Sexual as 30/40/30 per cent of total. Check distribution in your case, and you can see, which part of your well-being requires special attention.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.aging-males-symptoms-scale.info/about.htm

http://www.hormonesolutions.com.au/content/testosterone-cream-for-men/AMS-self-assessment.php

http://www.testosteronecream.biz/content/symptoms-of-low-testosterone-in-men.html

http://www.testosteronetestosterone.us/symptomslowtestosteronemen.htm

Andropause Self-Assessment Questionnaire from Men’s Health

In the previous post we presented Andropause Symptoms Self-Assessment Questionnaire from Totality of Being. While there is no officially accepted self-evaluation test, you may want to review other similar tests, developed by other groups and organization to confirm / recheck the assessment received. The test, presented in this post, is provided by Men’s Health Clinic from New Zealand. It is simple and straight-forward and will take no more than 10 minutes from your valuable time.

Questions

Do you experience the following symptoms?

1.       Loss of Energy/ Tiredness

a.       None (Score 0).

b.      Slight (Score 1).

c.       Moderate (Score 3).

d.      Severe (Score 4).

2.       Sense of well being/ Depressed

a.       None (Score 0).

b.      Slight (Score 1).

c.       Moderate (Score 3).

d.      Severe (Score 4).

3.       Poor memory and/or concentration

a.       None (Score 0).

b.      Slight (Score 1).

c.       Moderate (Score 3).

d.      Severe (Score 4).

4.       Anxiety

a.       None (Score 0).

b.      Slight (Score 1).

c.       Moderate (Score 3).

d.      Severe (Score 4).

5.       Irritability

a.       None (Score 0).

b.      Slight (Score 1).

c.       Moderate (Score 3).

d.      Severe (Score 4).

6.       Erection problems

a.       None (Score 0).

b.      Slight (Score 1).

c.       Moderate (Score 3).

d.      Severe (Score 4).

7.       Ejaculation problems

a.       None (Score 0).

b.      Slight (Score 1).

c.       Moderate (Score 3).

d.      Severe (Score 4).

8.       Increased weight/ chest & tummy

a.       None (Score 0).

b.      Slight (Score 1).

c.       Moderate (Score 3).

d.      Severe (Score 4).

9.       Losing physical stamina & strength

a.       None (Score 0).

b.      Slight (Score 1).

c.       Moderate (Score 3).

d.      Severe (Score 4).

10.   Sweating to excess day or night

a.       None (Score 0).

b.      Slight (Score 1).

c.       Moderate (Score 3).

d.      Severe (Score 4).

11.   Low sexual drive/ libido

a.       None (Score 0).

b.      Slight (Score 1).

c.       Moderate (Score 3).

d.      Severe (Score 4).

12.   Lack of self confidence

a.       None (Score 0).

b.      Slight (Score 1).

c.       Moderate (Score 3).

d.      Severe (Score 4).

Calculation

Calculate the final score, summarizing scores for all answers.

Assessment

0 to 8 Points: You're fine

9 to 15 Points: Possible impact of andropause symptoms

16 to 20 Points: Most likely you are in andropause

Over 21 Points: Almost definite you are in andropause

Andropause Symptoms Self-Assessment Questionnaire from Totality of Being

While you may aware on your age, and you have reviewed the list of the symptoms, accompanying male menopause, occasionally it is hard to assess personally of how bad it is without some kind of quantitative frame.

Yes, ageing is surrounded with growing amount of health problems, usually small at the beginning, and bigger as we age. Self-evaluation is the first step of getting understanding of what is going on with your body and soul.  We will discuss in further post the ways to slow down the negative effects, but for matter of this post, it is important to monitor your well-being and proactively make necessary adjustments to your diet, lifestyle, and general attitudes toward life. Therefore, awareness is the first step of preparedness.

Today, we would like to present the self-assessment questionnaire, prepared by Totality of Being. Note that the signs usually develop slowly and are initially difficult for the man to explain: tiredness, depression, irritability, and reduced libido can be the first signs of the male menopause.  With the following test you should be able to find out if andropause has already started for you - or if perhaps you are already in the middle of it.

Questions and Scoring

Answer honestly the questions and find the appropriate score for each one:

1.       I do not wake up with a morning erection.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

2.       I am tired, I have no strength.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

3.       I am tense or nervous.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

4.       I am depressed, in low spirits.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

5.       I am easily irritated and angry or in a bad mood.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

6.       I am less able to concentrate and my memory is worsening.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

7.       I have relationship problems with my partner.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

8.       I have reduced libido and sexual energy.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

9.       I have problems with sexual potency and erections.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

10.   My skin, especially on my face and hands, is dry.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

11.   I have back pains, joint pains.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

12.   I perspire heavily (during the day or at night).

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

13.   I drink a lot.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

14.   I always feel stressed.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

15.   I am not physically fit.

a.       Never (Score 0)

b.      Rare (Score 1)

c.       Sometimes (Score 2)

d.      Often (Score 3)

e.      Very often (Score 4)

16.   How old do you feel?

a.       30 (Score 0)

b.      40 (Score 1)

c.       50 (Score 2)

d.      60 (Score 3)

e.      70  (Score 4)

Calculation

1.       Calculate the total score, summarizing scores for all answers.

2.       If you have suffered the following illnesses, add 4 points per illness to your total score:

a.       Prostate inflammation or operation.

b.      Mumps.

c.       Testicular disease.

d.      Chronic urinary tract infection.

3.       Calculated your final andropause score.

Assessment

0 - 10 points: You can be happy. It is extremely unlikely that you are in the male menopause.

11 - 20 points: It is possible that andropause has already started.

21 - 30 points: It looks as if you are probably already in the male menopause.

31 - 40 points: You are in the middle of the male menopause. In case of any problems, please turn to your doctor.

 Over 41 points: You are already well advanced in the andropause.