Many Japanese men suffer from post-pandemic menopause
Companies that provide support services to postmenopausal female employees do not have the same system for men.
The number of men visiting outpatient medical facilities has increased, in part due to the negative effects of the pandemic.
A 45-year-old man from Tokyo’s Nerima ward was on fire and dizzy.
At first, he thought it was a symptom of neurological disorders that had been diagnosed at a psychiatric clinic before.
Sometimes he felt so dizzy that he couldn’t stand and had to quit his job because his health didn’t allow it.
Although he has visited specialists in internal medicine and neurosurgery, he has not been able to find the cause of this problem.
It wasn’t until last year that a psychiatrist said it was likely he had male menopause.
He went for a check-up at the hospital in December and was diagnosed with the disease.
“I had the usual symptoms so it was difficult to determine the cause on my own,” the man said.
Aging and stress cause the amount of male hormone (testosterone) to be reduced, leading to symptoms such as fatigue and insomnia.
Testosterone plays an important role in overall health, regardless of gender.
This hormone is often prescribed with a prescription to treat hypogonadism in postmenopausal women. It is also important in post-transgender care.
In men, testosterone is mainly produced in the testicles, regulated by the hypothalamus of the brain and the pituitary gland.
People who have low testosterone levels on a blood test, have symptoms such as depression, lack of energy, erectile dysfunction or decreased libido often experience a condition called gonad insufficiency (LOH).
According to professor of urology at Juntendo University Graduate School, the age of onset of the disease ranges from 30 to 70 years old.
“People who are at the top of the business, responsible for decision-making at the company or have a high sense of responsibility are more likely to experience these symptoms,” experts said.
The disease can be treated with hormone injections, but patients need encouragement from those around them to improve their health and life in general.
