Thank you for your supportive responses to my mini-rant yesterday. I thought that since you have listened faithfully to my misery, I should reward you with the information I have gathered through my experience with Mike’s health issues.
I have gathered, through experience with Mike’s health, which has led me to do fairly extensive research on the issue of men’s midlife health, that there is such a thing as Manopause or Andropause. I generally find the information from the BBC to be more useful than that in the US. Pls. see this BBC report for more information.
There you will find a list of symptoms of andropause, symptoms like irritability, loss of libido, erectile disfunction, fatigue, depression, muscle stiffness, night sweats, dry skin, hair loss, weight gain, and slow recovery from injuries.
Some psychologists argue that almost all men go through a midlife crisis to some degree which this article defines as “a time of transition and adjustment to a new perspective on life.”
Many of us are aware of feelings of disillusionment and irritability, as a heightened sense of our own mortality leads to dissatisfaction with the way our life has turned out. Most often these gloomy insights are brought on by specific life triggers like divorce, the kids leaving home, job loss or simply boredom with life as it is.
In addition, physical changes in our bodies, like weight gain, energy levels or sexual function can be quite unsettling. Mike found that with very specific blood tests of all hormones like: Testosterone, (Total, Free and % Free), Cortisol, and Pregnenolone, some of his changes could be explained. His pregnenolone level (the precurors of all other hormones) was so low it was basically zero.
He began taking pregnenolone (50 mg.) available through Whole Foods and his energy level quickly jumped up to near normal. However, DO NOT SELF DIAGNOSE with this stuff. Get the blood tests first!
My main message here is that a lot of what you are feeling is normal midlife disillusionment which we all go through, and which might even be useful in changing your life for the better. But some of it might be physiological and not healthy at all.
Go see a doctor you like and trust and check it all out. Read about it on the web and work towards being your best self this year!
To learn more about what I learned through my own transitions, please read my books: Midlife Magic: Becoming the person you are inside! and my Midife Change Workbook.
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Ahh, male mentalpause! Been dealing with it for years. The term dysthemia discribes it pretty well. It’s been so pervasive that it motivated me to move half way across the country to hit the “do over” button. I’ve removed myself from family stress on a daily basis, after several false starts found a blood pressure med that works for me, changed my diet and exercize habits and I feel GREAT! I’m far sharper mentally, have a far more optimistic outlook and have loads of energy compared to recent history. Lost weight too. I suspect the diuretic in the blood pressure med makes it possible for me to sleep through the night resulting in a better rested, far more congenial Brad in the morning. So…..
No matter what your past has been, you can start towards a healthier, happier you today!
Peace, Brad
I missed the part about the hairpiece, the 20 something girlfriend with the high hard ones and the sports car but I think I’ll be fine just the same. hahaha!