The climacteric profile of several selected middle-aged Cebuano males

• Main Author: Limalima, Terence Yap
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2001
• Subjects: Males; Middle aged men; Cebuano (Philippine people); Climacteric; Medical Education
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/2621
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study establishes the climacteric profile of several middle-aged Cebuano males, with emphasis on their socio-demographic and economic characteristics, their beliefs and perceptions on andropause, their sources of information on the subject, and their experiences, particularly in terms of the symptoms and problems that they encountered during the period, including the steps they undertook to manage them. Purposive sampling using the chain referral method was used by the researcher in the study. Of the 27 men approached by the researcher, only 15 (8 married and 7 single) men were adjudged to be currently undergoing andropause, based on the criteria set forth by Organon (Phils.) Inc. In addition, they had to meet other criteria set by the investigator, such as: must be between 46-55 years old, must have reached at least college level of education, must be aware that they are undergoing the symptoms of andropause, must be experiencing the symptoms for the past 3 years, and must be heterosexual in their sexual orientation. Upon completion of the selection process, an in-depth interview was conducted. The study found out that the perceived age of onset of andropause (46) among both married and single men was well below that assigned by Western countries (50-55) and was also lower compared to that of menopausal Filipino women (49). Regardless of marital status, men treated andropause as a part of the normal life cycle, and not a condition which required medical attention. Significant life events were not considered as contributory factors to the onset of andropause. In terms of awareness, more married than single men were aware of the existence of andropause, although their knowledge of its signs and symptoms were very limited. Fears about andropause were more pronounced among single than married men, and centered about their fear of being left without anyone to care for them. The primary sources of information cited by the respondents were friends/co-workers, television, books, personal experiences and rumors. Psychological symptoms were more pronounced, followed by physical and vasomotor complaints. Sexual problems came last, although it was perceived to be more problematic by both groups compared to the first two. Management of andropause consisted mostly of symptomatic treatment.