More and more often, Lars Peter Graulund’s evening would end in front of the TV. That was something he had never wanted to spend his time on before.

Previously, he always used his time on one thing or another. It could be various projects – writing songs, rehearsing with his band, coding on the computer, or going to the workshop to do carpentry. But little by little, the energy disappeared.

It was as if a damper had been put on his emotions. He no longer really looked forward to anything.

But on paper, there should be nothing making him feel sad. During the day, he worked.

Talking to the doctor also showed that he did not have depression. But he only became aware of what was wrong when an email popped into his inbox.

It explained how menopause can affect men, and the email contained an offer of help that made him curious.

– It said a bit about what a male menopause can result in and how it shows itself, and I thought that could actually be me, he says.

The email came from his pension company Danica, and it turns out he is far from the only one who was walking around and might actually have needed help.

> You don’t necessarily have to accept it if you find yourself becoming a little sadder, a little more withdrawn, and a little more indifferent to everything

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44 percent of inquiries came from men

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In the summer, Danica launched an offer for customers ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/viden/kroppen/overgangsalderen-kan-koste-sygedage-det-vil-pensionsselskab-forhindre ) who are troubled by menopause or who need to talk to a healthcare professional.

And although most people probably think of the female sex when it comes to menopause, it turns out there is a great deal of interest from men.

Just under half – 44 percent – of those who contacted Danica about the offer in the first four months were men.

The figure has surprised Danica’s claims director, Mikkel Lykke Larsen. He points out that men are often not as good as women at, for example, seeking medical help.

– It tells me that men really want the help, but that it has to be easy for them to take the first step, he says.

As men get older, there is a slow and gradual decline in their testosterone level. For some, this can lead to reduced sexuality, mood, and energy.

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Men’s menopause

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* Men’s menopause is also called andropause (as opposed to women’s menopause).

* Andropause is caused by a decline in testosterone level. This happens gradually.

* Men’s menopause can be more gradual and extend over several decades.

* All men will experience a decline in testosterone with age, but it is impossible to say who will be affected by many symptoms.

* Testosterone is to men what estrogen is to women. It helps build protein and is important for normal sexual behavior and erection.

* Testosterone also affects a number of processes in the body – including the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, bone formation, fat metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, liver function, and the growth of the prostate gland.

Source: netdoktor.dk ( https://www.netdoktor.dk/kvinder/overgangsalder/sygdomme/mands-overgangsalder-andropause/ ).

The male customers who have contacted Danica about the offer say that it noticeably affects their everyday life, says Mikkel Lykke Larsen.

– It’s symptoms where they feel tired, not quite themselves, have difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, and a lack of sex drive.

Men’s menopause is thus a little different from women’s, who can be affected by hot flashes and sweating, night sweats, headaches, fatigue, exhaustion, mood swings, and much more.

– Men’s and women’s menopause are not the same. They are two quite different biological processes. But that doesn’t change the fact that there may be men who experience symptoms that have a major impact on their lives, says the claims director.

Read also: Gynecologist urges women going through menopause: ‘You shouldn’t put up with feeling bad’ ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/viden/kroppen/gynaekolog-kommer-med-opfordring-til-kvinder-i-overgangsalderen-man-skal-ikke-finde-sig-i-have-det )

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Thought the panic age had hit

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It is also not because Lars Peter Graulund thinks that menopause affects men in the same way or with the same intensity as women. He had also never thought that it was what was weighing him down.

Earlier, he thought he was “just” suffering from the panic age – or what you might also call a form of midlife crisis.

– Suddenly it’s as if everything is winding down. There isn’t much development anymore, he says.

And recently, a thought struck him.

– No one really asks anymore what you dream about.

His body can also feel that he has gotten older – 63, to be exact. It is especially noticeable in the pain he has in his legs. He now gets help for that after a talk with a healthcare professional through the offer from the pension company.

According to Netdoctor, one can possibly reduce troublesome symptoms of andropause by leading a healthy lifestyle – eating healthily and getting regular exercise. (Photo: © Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix)

He is still trying to figure out what he can do about his mood.

– I can feel that just being aware of it has made me seek out joy a little more, says Lars Peter Graulund.

And one thing in particular works.

– Sometimes I go to the workshop even though I don’t really feel like it. But after I’ve been there, I can feel: “Damn, it was a good thing to have been over there for a few hours and breathed in some wood scent.”

He hopes that other men will seek help if they are in the same situation as him.

Read also: Menopause is a hot topic in the workplace: Now a number of recommendations have been published ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/overgangsalder-er-hot-topic-paa-arbejdspladserne-nu-er-der-landet-en-raekke-anbefalinger )

– You don’t necessarily have to accept it if you find yourself becoming a little sadder, a little more withdrawn, and a little more indifferent to everything. It’s not a good situation to be in, he says.

Is it disrespectful to women to talk about men in menopause? That question was debated, among other places

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