With sports against the winter blues

With sports against the winter blues: menopause in men in winter especially bad

18/12/2012

Few know it, but men also suffer from menopausal symptoms. From 35 years, the testosterone level in the blood gradually decreases. Consequently, many men feel powerless and listless. In winter these symptoms increase because on dark days the body produces more of the sleep hormone melatonin. If winter blues and menopause occur simultaneously, men suffer from fatigue, erectile dysfunction and low libido.

„Testosterone fulfills many functions in the course of a man's life: formation of the sexual organs, pubertal changes as well as fertility and potency. In addition, testosterone levels affect male libido. When the body begins to produce the hormone in a reduced manner, the desire to sex often disappears gradually in the stronger sex“, explains Dr. Reinhold Schaefer, urologist and managing director of the medical network Uro-GmbH Nordrhein. To find out whether a testosterone deficiency triggers the symptoms, urologists first examine physique and muscle strength, because even increasing bacon indicates a deficiency. Only blood tests provide clarity about the testosterone levels in the blood. Since there are no hormone replacement therapies, urologists recommend that menopausal symptoms be counteracted through healthy eating and exercise. To avoid lethargy and mood loss, sufferers should follow these tips, especially in winter. For health-conscious men, exercise is high on the to-do list, despite the cold and wet. Because too little physical activity combined with a festive dinner will add to side effects such as fatigue and reduced libido in addition. (Pm)

Image: Gerd Altmann, Pixelio.de