Veronica B. Dumaran, from the institute of the Philippines. Wrote a research article, Andropause Awareness, Symptoms, and Coping Among Boholanos. Entitled, Andropause: Awareness, severity of symptoms experienced and coping self-efficacy among Boholanos. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.
Abstract
This study aims to
determine the level of awareness, degree of symptoms experienced of andropause,
and coping skills employed by male Boholanos aged 40 to 59. A
descriptive-correlational research design was used in this study employing
cross-sectional methods. The selection of respondents for this study employed
purposive sampling, aligning with the objectives of the study. The researcher
utilized the standardized questionnaires which permissions from authors were
obtained thru emails. In determining the severity of symptoms experienced, the
Male Self-Assessment Questionnaire (MASSQ) of Dr. Abdolrahim Asadollahi was
utilized. To determine the coping strategies employed by the respondents, the
researcher utilized the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale of Dr. Margaret A. Chesney.
The findings revealed that respondents with higher level of awareness were
those who have experienced more severe andropause symptoms, while majority of
those who were slightly or not aware of andropause were those who do not
experience andropause symptoms. It also revealed that awareness was
significantly linked to their coping mechanisms. Notably, those with a high
level of awareness consistently applied coping styles, whereas individuals with
low awareness tended not to engage in coping behaviors.
Introduction
Men typically struggled
with sleep difficulties, waking up too early and a decrease in libido as they
grew older. They would also bemoan the fact that they and their spouses were no
longer sleeping in the same bed and were, instead, living as siblings. Many
stated that their desire for sex had significantly decreased, while others said
they felt as like they had run out of energy. They saw that their muscles were
getting less dense and more quickly exhausted, and that their physical strength
had decreased. Their general sense of annoyance and dissatisfaction was further
compounded by their growing susceptibility to irritability and depression.
Studies have shown that testosterone levels usually start to drop around the
age of forty, a process called andropause (Asadollahi et al., 2013). A person's
ability to carry out daily chores may be restricted or impaired by a variety of
symptoms that result from this drop in testosterone. Pommerville and Zakus
(2006) contended that men's "andropause" is not clinically or
scientifically equal to women's menopause. Rather, they recommended referring
to this condition as Partial Androgen Decline in the Aging Male (PADAM) or
Androgen Decline in the Aging Male (ADAM). However, Martelli et al. (2021)
assert that Late Onset Hypogonadism (LOH) is the most current and often used
nomenclature for this syndrome.
Approximately 12.3 out
of every 1,000 males reported signs of the andropause over the course of a
year, according to a Massachusetts study. Global research shows that
approximately 480,000 older men experience male menopause annually, with
symptoms increasing and happening more frequently over time (Mohammadi et al.,
2023). Furthermore, studies indicate that over 70% of males over 40 may
eventually have andropauserelated symptoms (Adebajo et al., 2007). There are
more than 10,000 publications on women's climacteric (or menopause) than there
are on men's (Adebajo, 2007). Menopausal men have been the subject of about
1:100 published research compared to menopausal women (Hirokawa, 2012).
Many facets of men's
health are impacted by andropause. It could be linked to low blood testosterone
levels that cause metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, an increased risk of
bone fractures (osteoporosis two times more), an increased risk of death from
cardiovascular disease (two or three times more) (Wang et al., 2009). The most
significant and prevalent sign of hypogonadism in men is erectile dysfunction
and diminished desire. Previous reviews have indicated that 83.3% of men over
60 experience sexual dysfunction, which negatively impacts their quality of
life (Novák et al., 2002). Low self-esteem, anxiety, and sadness may result
from this condition, which could harm their sexual partner's relationship (Odu
et al., 2014).
Despite its importance,
studies have shown that there is a low level of knowledge and awareness about
andropause among individuals in Iran, Asia, Europe, and America, including in
cities such as Meybod and Rasht, Iran (Mazloomy Mahmoodabad et al., 2021;
Samipoor et al., 2017). Additionally, research conducted in Nigeria has found
that a significant percentage of participants in different years - 76.4% in
2003, 45.1% in 2006, and 43% in 2014 - were not aware of the condition of
andropause (Odu et al., 2014).
Reyes et al. (2004)
performed a survey among doctors in the Philippines. The study's findings
indicated that most doctors believed that males might experience andropause and
that more education was needed to address andropause and its treatment among
Filipino doctors.
The significant
occurrence of key risk factors associated with andropause among healthy
individuals highlights the need to enhance social conditions that greatly
impact the quality of life for middle-aged men (Samipoor et al., 2017). Raising
awareness about andropause should be a central element of health planning.
Limited research has addressed this topic, indicating a need for further
studies to explore andropause-related issues and complications. It is essential
for society, healthcare institutions, and universities to educate the public
and promote widespread understanding of this critical issue (Samipoor et al.,
2017).
This study aims to fill
the information gaps regarding andropause in various countries, with a specific
focus on the Philippines, particularly in Bohol. It will address the necessity
for information dissemination and health interventions. The results of this
research will assist health educators in developing their curriculum for
Maternal and Child Care and Primary Health Care, as andropause symptoms can
impact family dynamics. Additionally, policymakers can utilize the findings to
design community health initiatives for men dealing with andropause symptoms.
Future researchers may also learn about the study's limitations and use this
knowledge to conduct more rigorous research.
Reference
Adebajo S, Odeyemi K, Oyediran M, Amirul R, Wright L. 2007. Knowledge and experiences of Andropause among men in Lagos, Nigeria. West African Journal of Medicine 26, 106–112.
Asadollahi A, Saberi
LF, Faraji N. 2013. Validity and reliability of male andropause symptoms
self-assessment questionnaire among elderly males in Khuzestan province of
Iran. Journal of Mid-Life Health 4, 233–237.
https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-7800.122258
Chesney MA, Neilands
TB, Chambers DB, Taylor JM, Folkman S. 2006. Coping self-efficacy scale.
PsycTESTS Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1037/t66701-000
Hirokawa K, Taniguchi
T, Fujii Y, Takaki J, Tsutsumi A. 2012. Job demands as a potential modifier of
the association between testosterone deficiency and andropause symptoms in
Japanese middle-aged workers: a cross-sectional study. Maturitas 73((3)),
225–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2012.07.006
Martelli M, Zingaretti
L, Salvio G, Bracci M, Santarelli L. 2021. Influence of work on Andropause and
menopause: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research
and Public Health 18(19), 10074. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910074
Mazloomy Mahmoodabad
SS, Peyghambari F, Kebriaei A, Dehghani tafti A. 2021. A survey of knowledge
and attitudes of men over 40 years old in Meybod about Andropause. The Journal
of Tolooebehdasht. https://doi.org/10.18502/tbj.v20i2.6761
Mohammadi M,
Allahverdipour H, Ghanbari Moghaddam A, Matlabi H. 2023. The prevalence of
Andropause and its relationship with sexual quality of life among older Iranian
men. American Journal of Men’s Health 17(2), 155798832311610.
https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883231161050
Novák A, Brod M, Elbers
J. 2002. Andropause and quality of life: Findings from patient focus groups and
clinical experts. Maturitas 43(4), 231-237.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-5122(02)00274-8
Odu O, Olajide A,
Olajide F. 2014. Awareness and perception of androgen deficiency of aging males
(ADAM) among men in Osogbo, Nigeria. Journal of community medicine and primary
health care. African Journals Online.
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jcmphc/article/view/102239
Polit DF, Beck CT,
Hungler BP. 2001. Essentials of nursing research: methods, appraisal, and
utilization. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott.
Pommerville PJ, Zakus
P. 2006. Andropause: Knowledge and awareness among primary care physicians in
Victoria, BC, Canada. The Aging Male 9(4), 215-220.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13685530601040661
Reyes III J, Tan D,
Quimpo J, Tan-Garcia J, Garcia L, Gonzaga F, Torralba T, Lim-Abrahan M, De la
Rosa M, Santos M, The PhiSSAM Male Aging Study Group. 2004. The Philippine male
aging survey. The Aging Male 7(3), 227-235.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13685530400004116
Samipoor F, Pakseresht
S, Rezasoltani P, Kazemnajad Leili E. 2017. Awareness and experience of
andropause symptoms in men referring to health centers: A cross-sectional study
in Iran. The Aging Male, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/13685538.2017.1298586
Wang C, Nieschlag E,
Swerdloff RS, Wu FC. 2009. Reply to Anton Ponholzer and Stephan Madersbacher’s
letter to the editor re: Christina Wang, Eberhard Nieschlag, Ronald Swerdloff, et
al. Investigation, treatment, and monitoring of late-onset Hypogonadism in males:
Isa, issam, eau, EAA, and ASA recommendations. European Urology 55(5),
e93-e94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2008.11.054
Article source : Andropause: Awareness, severity of symptoms experienced and coping self-efficacy among Boholanos



















