For years, the midlife crisis was considered a myth; today it is known that it actually exists and mainly affects men between the ages of 40 and 55. However, the midlife crisis, also known as climacterium virile or andropause, is not an illness in the classical sense, but a stage of life. Andropause can neither be specifically treated nor prevented.
What is a midlife crisis?
Not only women go through changes after a certain age; men also have to experience and subsequently accept changes. For men, it is a gradual decline in sex hormones; however, the woman is abruptly faced with the fact of being in menopause. The midlife crisis is not a myth, but a serious change in the male body. At the latest when the gentlemen of creation wonder whether they have been able to achieve all the goals in their lives and ask whether there are no other successes left, the suspicion of a midlife crisis is obvious. However, it is not only the behavior often described as “strange” that suggests a midlife crisis; there are numerous symptoms that suggest that the man is going through changes.
Causes
By age 30, testosterone production increases. Until the age of 40, production of the sex hormone remains at the same level; after that, it decreases – year by year – by about one percent. At the same time, however, the amount of globulin that binds the sex hormones increases. Therefore, not only is less testosterone produced, but also that stock that is present is reduced. A circumstance that the man notices very well and that leads to the so-called midlife crisis. Affected men often ask themselves whether they have achieved all their goals in life, become insecure and try – subconsciously – to compensate for the declining testosterone level. They start new hobbies, look for challenges and ask themselves if they can still achieve more in life.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The symptoms of a midlife crisis are rather non-specific and also much less pronounced than those that occur during menopause in women. Possible symptoms include a decrease in libido, decreased beard growth, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, loss of muscle. At the same time, there may be an increase in fat mass, inner restlessness, nervousness, decreasing motivation as well as performance, sweating, hot flashes and depression. However, not all of the symptoms listed need to occur for the medical professional to be certain that it is a midlife crisis. Studies have shown that just three sexual symptoms – combined with declining testosterone levels – are enough to qualify as a midlife crisis. Above all, the lack of morning erection can be an indication that a midlife crisis or andropause has occurred.
Diagnosis and course of the disease
At the beginning follows the conversation with the attending physician; ideally an endocrinologist or urologist. In the further course, physical examinations are carried out. In the process, the physician tries to rule out organic causes. The diagnosis can only be made by means of blood tests; the doctor measures the concentration of sex hormones and can determine whether or not andropause has occurred. If the testosterone level is low and the man is between 40 and 55 years of age, a midlife crisis can be assumed. Doctors become alarmed when the testosterone level falls below a certain value and other diseases such as obesity, diabetes or lipometabolic disorders are also present. The hormone influences such diseases, which in turn affect testosterone. A “vicious circle” that should not be underestimated. At least according to medical experts, menopause is completed by the age of 75. So far, however, it has not been clearly established whether it is actually such a long phase or not, since the midlife crisis occurs unnoticed in many men. Many men do not even notice that their body is going through a change. Other men definitely feel that something is wrong, become restless and try to compensate for the decreased testosterone level.
Complications
Complications can indeed trigger a midlife crisis – but rarely do they have a disease value.The complicated entanglements and dramatic emotional states arise from the crisis-like situation into which many people slip as a result of hormonal changes in midlife. Although a midlife crisis can occur in both sexes, men seem to be affected more often. For this reason, andropause is also referred to as the climacteric virile. In women, it is only referred to as the climacteric or menopause. Both are due to hormonal changes that shake things up in the organism. The usual complications of a midlife crisis include hormonal fluctuations, sweating, mood swings and depression. This can also trigger identity and life crises. These can cause those affected to no longer be satisfied with their previous life plans. In many cases, this is the reason for changing jobs, divorcing a marriage that was working well, or changing one’s lifestyle. While some sufferers may experience physical discomfort, hair loss, problems with libido, weight gain or wrinkles, for others the crisis passes without any complications. However, persistent depression during a midlife crisis should be treated. A visit to a psychotherapist is indicated if the person concerned withdraws more and more or even has suicidal thoughts. Marriage counseling may be indicated for partnership problems that occur during a midlife crisis.
When should you see a doctor?
Although a midlife crisis may feel threatening in individual cases, it does not in itself have any medical value. However, accompanying symptoms such as depression or psychosomatic symptoms may require treatment. The midlife crisis can be the beginning of a new orientation in life. Initially, however, all habits are called into question by drastic experiences or changes. This can plunge people into a deep crisis. This can last for one or two years. Those affected often need psychological or medical support to overcome the crisis. Those in the midst of a midlife crisis often fail to recognize the potential development opportunities it holds. Depression is often a means of capping anger and despair. Change is not seen as desirable or is negated. In this case, talk therapy is often helpful. Similarly, if the person develops psychosomatic symptoms due to the shock of having been abandoned. A visit to the doctor could lead to the realization that a cure in an appropriately oriented clinic would be useful. The midlfe crisis is used by many people for a liberation from encrusted structures. For others, however, a world collapses. These people need help. Whether this is sought from a doctor or an alternative practitioner with additional psychotherapeutic training is irrelevant.
Treatment and therapy
The decrease in hormone production represents the natural process in a man’s life. For this reason, it is not necessary to start a special therapy; the midlife crisis is, in effect, a stage of life that occurs and cannot be prevented or stopped. In men, HAT – hormone replacement therapy – is not used either. Women receive that therapy to alleviate menopausal symptoms. However, since men do not have “typical” symptoms, no such therapies are recommended or used. Sometimes a testosterone substitution treatment can be given, but this treatment is not a standard procedure for the treatment of a midlife crisis. The treatment is also not without controversy, as it brings with it numerous side effects. Among other things, testosterone is suspected of promoting prostate cancer. In addition, there are also no long-term studies that provide any real insight into whether treatments with hormones are helpful or not. In the end, all that remains is to be calm about changing and becoming more mature. The man, although it may sound harsh, has to come to terms with the course of nature.
Outlook and prognosis
Midlife crisis passes even without therapy. It is not a serious illness. Nevertheless, those affected can sometimes suffer for years from the consequences of this experience. Affected persons have thereby hardly any options to relieve the pain. Of course, this is an additional burden. People plagued by the midlife crisis should think about their own interests.In addition, those affected should acknowledge the burden. This facilitates the healing process. However, midlife crises do not have to last for a long time. Sometimes the crisis is already over after a few months. The affected person already feels more stable. Then it is possible to enjoy life in peace again. If you already feel more balanced and content, you have overcome the worst part of the midlife crisis. Recovering quickly is easier if you spend time with your family or pursue your hobbies. If friends and relatives are at a loss, talk therapy should be used to approach recovery. As one point of contact among many, this can help people find themselves again. This allows the crisis to be overcome quickly. In the end, recovering and going into oneself is the best option for a quick recovery.
Prevention
Age-related decline in sex hormones is a natural and also harmless process that definitely cannot be stopped or halted. A man can nevertheless remain fit if he keeps sufficient exercise and also eats a balanced diet. With a healthy lifestyle, he can reduce possible discomfort.
Aftercare
The complications of midlife crisis usually have no disease value, but takes place through a gradual process in which the body rearranges the hormones. Therefore, no classic aftercare can be applied here; rather, it is a matter of permanently coping with the complicated entanglements and dramatic emotional states. Common complications of midlife crisis include depression, mood swings, hormonal fluctuations and sweating. Midlife crises can cause life and identity crises for those affected. In this case, a sensitive approach to the social environment is required; pep talks can relieve the psychological pressure. Some affected persons develop suicidal thoughts or withdraw completely. In this case, psychological treatment should be sought. In some people, the midlife crisis causes complaints such as hair loss, reduced libido or increase in wrinkles. In some cases, permanent hormone replacement therapy is the only way out to alleviate the discomfort.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Many people who experience a midlife crisis feel disoriented. Psychological techniques can help a sufferer become aware of personal needs and goals and actively address them. Such techniques can be found, for example, in self-management and form a practical measure that can be implemented as self-help in everyday life. One way to begin, for example, is to write down things that are going well and things that are going badly in the current phase of life, and then derive concrete decisions and changes for one’s own behavior from this. This process can take a longer time. Other self-help methods distinguish key areas of life such as family, career and hobbies. The affected person then considers what the current actual state looks like and what he or she would like to see as the target state. Self-management also includes specific tools for motivation or time management. Numerous instructions on these topics can be found on the Internet. During the midlife crisis, social support often plays an important role. In everyday life, those affected can therefore look for such resources in their environment and, if necessary, fall back on the support of family members or friends. Self-help is not always enough to successfully overcome a midlife crisis. A seemingly normal life crisis can also conceal a mental illness. In this case, it makes sense to see a doctor, psychologist, psychotherapist or counselor and not rely solely on self-help.
