What Are the Causes of Malaise in Men?

Malaise comes in the form of a vague feeling of general illness and lack of well-being. Malaise is poorly defined and generally is a result of some other illness. Anyone feeling like he is suffering from malaise should consult a doctor. Male malaise can also be a specific counterpart to female menopause. Male malaise, or andropause, can occur later in life and is accompanied by a lowered libido, irritability, depression and other symptoms associated with malaise.

Long-Term Disease

• Malaise that is not sex-specific may be symptomatic of long-term disease. A disease like AIDS, which preys on an immune system significantly stunted by the HIV virus, can cause general feelings of malaise, depression and lack of energy. Chronic hepatitis or tuberculosis, diseases which drain energy from the victim, can cause malaise as well. Diseases and afflictions that significantly drain the patient of energy will tend to cause malaise, especially if they affect the patient over the long run.

Diet

• Andropause, the sexually specific form of male malaise, can be spurred by dietary habits. Males who smoke run the risk of malaise, especially longtime consistent smokers. Heavy drinking, either in spurts or over a lifetime, can contribute to andropause. Any male who follows a diet deficient in Vitamins A and C or that lacks meaty foods will run the risk of developing andropause. High-protein diets can combat the onset of andropause and help restore vitality.

Testosterone

• The major cause of male malaise is a decline in testosterone levels as men age. Testosterone feeds the sex drive, can affect energy levels and will impact male mood through its influence on libido. Testosterone production can be reduced by rising levels of sex hormone-binding globulin, or SHBG, which binds to testosterone and makes it unusable in the body. While the actual decrease in testosterone is hard to control, factors that contribute to testosterone production in males are controllable.

Aging

• Andropause and age are fundamentally linked to one another. A male reaches his sexual prime in his 30s, hitting the maximum in testosterone production and reduced SHBG levels. As time progresses, the male body begins to produce less and less testosterone and higher levels of SHBG, compounding the decline in testosterone. Aging is an inescapable factor in the onset of andropause, regardless of drugs used to keep the body youthful, such as steroids.