Experts have canvassed increased awareness on menopause and andropause in women and men, respectively, noting that both issues affect their mental health.
They made the appeal, at the weekend, during an event, tagged ‘A Walk for Menopause’ to commemorate this year’s World Menopause Day in Lagos.

Founder, Menopause Support Nigeria, Mrs. Mosunmola Dosunmu, said the march, first in the series, to identify and celebrate the global event in the country, is geared at enlightening Nigerians that menopause and andropause are normal phase that both men and women must go through in life.

She stressed that it was high time people started being sensitive about their bodies.

Dosunmu noted that it was also time for the government to identify with people experiencing menopause and partner with organisations on advocacy at the grassroots, adding that several people out there are dying in silence.

The humanist advised those in the health sector to reach out to persons undergoing menopause, stating that it is not everybody that comes to the hospital that has malaria and typhoid.

She said: “Those in the health sector should start asking questions and place more attention on menopause. No woman and man should worry about menopause and andropause. They should acquire knowledge and identify groups to lean on and seek support.”

Also speaking, Managing Director of Engraced Pharmacy, Okotie Jonah, explained that women go through menopause the same way men do with andropause.

He submitted that there is no specific age for both fertility challenges to start in an average person, observing that several things predispose a person, including sickness, genetic composition and trauma.

Jonah said for some men, who have fertility issues, it could be possible they have attained andropause, adding that the way to identify it is through hormonal tests.

He urged increased education on the issues.

Chief Consultant Psychiatrist, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Olufunmilayo Akinola, stressed that depression is quite common with menopausal symptoms in both men and women, hence people must maintain a good disposition to issues around menopause, noting that the theme for this year’s global celebration was: “Mental health is a universal human right.”