When it comes to midlife, a woman’s changesare usually associated with hormones—menopause—while men are slapped with the “midlife crisis” label. But is this really fair? Don’t men undergo hormonal changes during their 50s just as women do? Male menopause, jokingly referred to as “manopause,” can be as significant as for their female counterparts. And if you’re a man going through it, you know it’s no laughing matter.
Changes That Men Face in Midlife
As opposed to women, men undergo different hormonal changes as they navigate through their 50s. One distinct change is the reduction in testosterone levels. Starting at age 35, T levels can drop 1–1.5% annually. Lower testosterone can result in a number of changes, including loss of energy and stamina, reduced ability to concentrate, weight gain, and of course, a lower sex drive.
In short, just as women sometimes don’t feel like women, men may not feel much like men as they hit menopause.
Sometimes, in an effort to regain the vigor of their youth, men may act out at this time in their lives. We’ve all heard the stories: They leave their decades-long marriage for a 20-something they just met; they purchase an expensive sports car or motorcycle; or they engage in dangerous behaviors, such as skydiving.
If you are a man, your instinct may be to do something drastic during menopause, but is that really necessary? You can move through this time without sinking the ship or dropping a ton of money on expensive toys.
How to Maneuver Manopause with Grace
Since testosterone levels are the biggest change for men during their transition into the AARP years, that’s the most obvious first step to tackle. While testosterone can be supplemented, there are other things you can do to counterbalance your hormonal changes.
Diet
You’ve no doubt already noticed that pizza and beer don’t settle with your system as easily as they did 20 years ago. But did you know that overeating can disrupt your testosterone levels?
There are some supplements that can help, such as zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D. And if prostate issues are a concern, saw palmetto is an option.
You should definitely be partnering with your doctor to determine how your levels have changed and what specific supplements you need, as well as foods you should avoid, to stay at optimal health.
Exercise
You already know that exercise is good for you, and that definitely holds true while moving through midlife. While osteoporosis has long been thought of as a woman’s disease, the fact is that men experience bone loss as well. And one of the best ways to combat this is with regular weight-bearing exercises.
You’ll also want to continue with cardio and stretching to keep your muscles limber and your heart strong. So definitely keep (or start!) going to the gym and being active to help your body during this life change. And remember that exercise is great for your brain and attitude as well as your body!
Do Something Crazy: Try CoolSculpting
If you feel the need to really get nuts and do something out of the box during your manopause, might we suggest CoolSculpting? In addition to the exercise and diet you’re doing to maintain your testosterone level—and your physique!—you can jumpstart your progress with some serious fat freezing.
That’s right: CoolSculpting freezes fat cells that you have been associated with a bit too long. In a simple process that takes less than an hour, a highly trained technician at Bodify, Phoenix’s premier CoolSculpting boutique, will put an applicator on your stomach, love handles, chin, or wherever you’d like to lose some fat. You relax and watch a sports game, read a book, or take a nap, and when this painless, non-invasive process ends, you go back to work.
About 2–3 months after your Bodify visit, you’ll notice a marked change in your physique, through a loss in weight and inches.
Experience the ManCave
Worried that you’ll be surrounded by way too much estrogen on your trip to Bodify? No need—because we have adude-centric experience awaiting you, called our ManCave.
Approximately 20% of our clientele is comprised of men, so we welcome you into our amazing ManCave. You’ll be surrounded by TVs while you lounge in a super-comfortable recliner to enjoy your experience.
So what are you waiting for? Manopause is a real thing, and you can navigate the process smoothly and come out ahead on the other side with some smart tactics. And CoolSculpting can help. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
