why do women in menopause suffer from hot flashes and many other complaints?
Do men in the so-called penopause also experience something similar, or do they not suffer from any discomfort at all?
If not, why are they spared from all those complaints and women are not?
Answer
Dear Joke,
This is because during menopause, the woman’s endocrine system changes drastically. There is an equivalent in men (andropause or penopause), but the decrease in the male hormone (testosterone) is much more moderate (and not demonstrable in all men)
For example, the andropause will give symptoms such as more fat mass and less muscle mass, as well as less bone density, poorer cognitive functions and less sexual arousal.
However, the quite acute drop in hormones (oestrogens) in the woman will also affect the heat regulation center in the brain and cause the hot flashes, but this is theoretical. The shortage of female hormone can also cause other complaints such as: more urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, osteoporosis, skin aging, …
kind regards,
Answered by
dr. Jasper Verguts
Gynecology-Obstetrics
Old Market 13 3000 Leuven
https://www.kuleuven.be/
.