Can the NHS really afford this?
Posted on 11/16/2023 11:46:37 PM PST by nickcarraway
An NHS Trust is offering 12 months of paid leave to male staff affected by the condition
MARKED by signature hot flashes and brain fog, menopause has taken a prime spot in the media spotlight in recent years.
From battling HRT shortages to battles with bosses in the workplace, women have worked tirelessly to be taken seriously.
Shaun Ryder has spoken out about his experiences, and said hormone replacement therapy 'changed his life'
But women are not the only ones to experience it. Robbie Williams is the most recent in a string of fellas to open up about their struggles with what they call the 'male menopause', or andropause.
The superstar singer told The Sun in an exclusive interview: "I’ve used up all of the natural good stuff. I’ve got the manopause."
The male menopause can develop in men in their late 40s and early 50s, according to the NHS, and is characterised by a decline in testosterone levels.
Typical symptoms - which appear to align with menopause - include mood swings, loss of sex drive and muscle mass, difficulty sleeping and poor short-term memory.
'An underlying health issue'
Yet, Dr Channa Jayasena, an endocrinologist based at Imperial College London, tells the Sun comparing the two is "troublesome" as the conditions are, in fact, very different.
In men, the drop in hormone levels happens gradually from the age of 30, and this is unlikely to cause any problems in itself.
But for some blokes, the plunge in testosterone happens much faster, and this is usually because of lifestyle factors like diet or disease, Dr Channa explains.
This is unlike menopause, a natural part of ageing in all women between 45 and 55.
"Having low testosterone is a symptom of another underlying health issue which hasn't been addressed," Dr Channa says.
"Much like how women lose their periods when they are unwell, a drop in testosterone is the body's way of telling us something is wrong and not to have babies," he adds.
Common 'male menopause' causes include heart disease, uncontrolled type two diabetes, being obese, not sleeping enough and drinking too much alcohol.
"For the majority of men, the andropause is fully preventable; female menopause is not," he adds.
Manopause policies
Last month, an NHS Trust in the East Midlands announced it would be offering up to 12 months of paid leave to male staff affected by symptoms of low testosterone.
This is despite the NHS itself saying male menopause is not a clinical condition.
The hormone expert called the policy "complete madness".
"It misses the point that these men are probably suffering from underlying health issues," Dr Channa said.
"Instead, these middle-aged men must be encouraged to seek help and treatment."
HRT for men
Much like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women, men struggling with testosterone levels can get artificial boosts in the form of a jab or gel to help combat uncomfortable symptoms.
Happy Mondays star Shaun Ryder said HRT “changed my life”.
The 61-year-old once admitted “trying every drug around” but now uses testosterone gel to boost libido and energy.
Testosterone - which is prescribed on the NHS - is usually reserved for men whose plunging levels don't appear to be lifestyle-related, suggesting they have late-onset hypogonadism.
The rare condition causes delayed puberty and small testes, the NHS says.
Studies estimate that just two to six per cent of men suffer from late-onset hypogonadism, whereas all women will suffer some form of menopause.
Yet, Dr Channa says the NHS is seeing an increasing number of men who have either started testosterone themselves illegally or have been started by a private clinic.
"Most of these men should never have been on testosterone in the first place," he says.
Taking testosterone when it's not needed can increase the risk of blood clots, high blood pressure and cholesterol, he adds.
For these men, taking testosterone is a bit like "putting a plaster over a cut", the expert says.
"It'll mask the symptoms, but in reality, you're still unwell," he adds,
Menopause vs Manopause Testosterone levels rise during puberty, usually between 10 and 14.
It causes boys to have bigger muscles, deeper voices and facial hair.
The hormone also helps the testes create sperm.
Levels peak at age 20, before slowly falling by around one per cent each year from 30.
Sufferers of low testosterone commonly experience weight gain and gynecomastia, also known as man boobs.
But in most men, it is fairly unnoticeable.
However, in severe cases, some suffer from erectile dysfunction.
But unlike women, these hormone changes don't render men infertile.
Menopause marks the stage in a women's life when she no longer has periods. This means she is no longer able to conceive children.
Almost nine in 10 women going through the menopause suffer symptoms like anxiety, mood swings and low self-esteem.
Hot flushes, sleeping difficulties, heart palpations, headaches, and muscle and joint pain are among a long list of agonising symptoms women experience.
Symptoms usually occur years before menopause officially begins, as periods start to become irregular.
This is called the perimenopause.
Once a woman reaches menopause - a year after her last period - symptoms can continue for even more years.
Can the NHS really afford this?
That article is all over the map. Clearly coherent writing is not a requirement for writers any more.
That said, I have found that virtually all men who have beer bellies have them from beer, not decreased hormone levels.
And what a surprise. People’s hormone levels drop with age. Who would have guessed?
Aging is one slow slog towards androgyny. A woman’s major concern is losing their beauty, men losing their strength. All one can do is maintain good diet, stay active and throw some paint on the barn. HRT is not a panacea. It opens up a lot of new risks, and it’s hell when you stop it.
Bkmk
I’m an exception since I don’t drink beer or any alcohol and have had the beer belly type problem.
I pause and take breaks when I’m working.
I’m sixty five and I haven’t noticed these conditions who are supposed to have kicked in. Of course I get a shitload of exercise outdoors every working day…
Headline is designed to remove the differences between men and women....
----------> Men, get on the carnivore diet. It WILL boost your testosterone. I’m 76, have been on it going on six years, About a year into it I noticed “something” was up, so I had me T checked. It was 521. A good number for a guy half my age.
solutions to getting older...
Go to the gym 3 days/week. Get a trainer for a short period of time, if needed, to teach you good form and what exercises to avoid due to the danger of injury, especially shoulders. Progressive strength training is the key, which is essentially challenging your body to lift more weight by adding a rep, or reps to each set, until you simply need to add more weight, constantly driving your body to do more. In this, your body will be encouraged to produce more hormones.
Rest. Muscles are torn when lifting, but recover during rest plus protein. Rest is essential. Good rest with little stress. Sundown brand, 3mg melatonin before bed will help you sleep VERY soundly along with no screen time one hour before bed and a dark bedroom.
Diet. A diet is simply “what we eat”, not some fad technique. Eat foods located on the outer walls of the store. This is where fresh vegetables, meat and dairy are located. Frozen section is ok, as long as it includes flash frozen vegetables and fruit. And all natural ice cream =o). The bakery is a no go area. Increase protein and complex carbohydrates. Avoid processed foods. Five days calorie deficit, two days feast (reasonably). Mix in intermittently fasting each week.
At least one day each week do cardio for at least 45 minutes. This may include brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or bicycling. Electric bikes don’t count. As muscle mass increases, the muscles will burn fat during cardio. No muscle mass, no cardio burning of fat.
Don’t over train. It is counterproductive and can lead to injury. Look up signs of over training and be aware of them as you work out. Rest days are mandatory.
Results.
I’m now 61 and 6’ tall
2016 got a personal trainer for four months.
Started at 226#...34+ jeans size.
Looked awful. Felt awful. Huge gut, fat face, no muscle time. Not happy with those photos, but they still motivate me.
2018
180#
2023
167#...down 59 pounds lean.
44” chest, 15” upper arms, 15’5” neck, 6 pack abs, pronounced v shape back, strong legs.
Size 29 & 30” jeans. Smaller waist during cooler weather in running season because running for 45 minutes just burns the goo at an amazing rate. Testosterone levels are that of an average 32 year old. All natural, no hrt.
You can do this. Don’t worry about where you begin, because everyone begins somewhere. Keep pressing your body to do a bit more each time.
All this is said for encouragement.
Best wishes on your journey
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