Men are encouraged to check their testosterone levels which decrease with age, it emerged in a men's health webinar hosted by the Department of Human Resources at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Guiding the online event was Naythan Kayser, Coordinator at the Office for Leadership and Social Responsibility from UWC, and the session featured Dr Frank Peters, a General Medical Practitioner who obtained his MBChB at the University of Pretoria, and Dr Daniel Botha, a Clinical Director at Dr Botha and Associates who is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
Dr Peters delved into male menopause or andropause, a biological process that causes physical and emotional distress due to hormonal changes. Dr Botha suggested that this period inspires individuals to pursue forgotten dreams or recapture lost youth.
"The term ‘male menopause' is often used to describe the gradual decline in testosterone levels that occurs in men as they age. This decline is a natural part of the ageing process. The rate of decrease is typically about 1% per year, and testosterone levels can drop by as much as 50% by the age of 80," said Dr Peters.
Men can check for signs of decreasing testosterone levels by looking for notable symptoms. These symptoms may include reduced sex drive, decreased erectile function, loss of body hair, decreased beard growth, loss of lean muscle mass, general unexplained fatigue, unexplained obesity or "spare tire", and symptoms of increasing depression. An unhealthy diet, lack of sleep, insufficient exercise, and smoking can contribute to low testosterone levels, according to the guest speakers.
Several other factors that can contribute to a decline in testosterone levels, according to the speakers, include medication and medical conditions.
Certain prescribed medications, such as Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids) for arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and multiple sclerosis, as well as hypogonadism, can all cause low testosterone. Additionally, medical factors like a stroke or heart attack can also lead to a decrease in testosterone levels.
During the webinar, Dr Botha discussed how mid-life crises can be associated with psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety (including social phobia), body dysmorphia, and low self-esteem.
"Midlife does not mean a depression crisis but could trigger a depressive episode or worsen an established depressive disorder," said Dr Botha.
The men's health webinar created a vital space and platform where men can normalise coming together to talk about men's health, primarily mental and physical health. Kayser said that, as men, they have fallen into the stigma of societal gender norms that men can't be vulnerable or that men should always be strong.
"These toxic societal norms have discouraged men from talking openly and freely about their health and practising good health-seeking behaviour. Webinars like this help us dismantle the toxic societal norms and create opportunities for sharing information and for learning to take place," said Kayser.
Guiding the online event was Naythan Kayser, Coordinator at the Office for Leadership and Social Responsibility from UWC, and the session featured Dr Frank Peters, a General Medical Practitioner who obtained his MBChB at the University of Pretoria, and Dr Daniel Botha, a Clinical Director at Dr Botha and Associates who is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
Dr Peters delved into male menopause or andropause, a biological process that causes physical and emotional distress due to hormonal changes. Dr Botha suggested that this period inspires individuals to pursue forgotten dreams or recapture lost youth.
"The term ‘male menopause' is often used to describe the gradual decline in testosterone levels that occurs in men as they age. This decline is a natural part of the ageing process. The rate of decrease is typically about 1% per year, and testosterone levels can drop by as much as 50% by the age of 80," said Dr Peters.
Men can check for signs of decreasing testosterone levels by looking for notable symptoms. These symptoms may include reduced sex drive, decreased erectile function, loss of body hair, decreased beard growth, loss of lean muscle mass, general unexplained fatigue, unexplained obesity or "spare tire", and symptoms of increasing depression. An unhealthy diet, lack of sleep, insufficient exercise, and smoking can contribute to low testosterone levels, according to the guest speakers.
Several other factors that can contribute to a decline in testosterone levels, according to the speakers, include medication and medical conditions.
Certain prescribed medications, such as Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids) for arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and multiple sclerosis, as well as hypogonadism, can all cause low testosterone. Additionally, medical factors like a stroke or heart attack can also lead to a decrease in testosterone levels.
During the webinar, Dr Botha discussed how mid-life crises can be associated with psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety (including social phobia), body dysmorphia, and low self-esteem.
"Midlife does not mean a depression crisis but could trigger a depressive episode or worsen an established depressive disorder," said Dr Botha.
The men's health webinar created a vital space and platform where men can normalise coming together to talk about men's health, primarily mental and physical health. Kayser said that, as men, they have fallen into the stigma of societal gender norms that men can't be vulnerable or that men should always be strong.
"These toxic societal norms have discouraged men from talking openly and freely about their health and practising good health-seeking behaviour. Webinars like this help us dismantle the toxic societal norms and create opportunities for sharing information and for learning to take place," said Kayser.
