How can the concept of essence from the Donguibogam be explained in modern medicine? It can be seen as deeply related to androgen levels, particularly testosterone. Male climacteric syndrome, also referred to as andropause, typically arrives from the mid-40s to after the 50s, describing a state in which one undergoes various physical and mental changes as bodily testosterone production gradually decreases. The decline of essence described in the Donguibogam directly corresponds to this testosterone decrease.
Testosterone is not merely a hormone involved in sexual function. It plays a key role in whole-body health by maintaining muscle mass and bone mineral density, regulating fat metabolism, and promoting erythropoiesis. Furthermore, it exerts a profound effect on brain function, being involved in cognitive ability, concentration, memory, and mood regulation. When testosterone levels drop, changes occur in the brain's neurotransmitter system that can disrupt the balance of mood-regulating substances such as serotonin and dopamine, easily leading to mental health concerns such as lethargy, depression, and anxiety. Feelings of growing irritable for no reason and everything feeling bothersome may be signals of this hormonal imbalance.
In particular, abdominal obesity is one of the representative symptoms of andropause. When testosterone decreases, the way our body stores fat shifts. Visceral fat tends to increase, and this visceral fat goes beyond a simple cosmetic issue by secreting inflammatory substances and an enzyme called aromatase. Aromatase functions by converting testosterone into estrogen, a female sex hormone. This vicious cycle further lowers testosterone levels, becoming a primary culprit that worsens male climacteric symptoms. Moreover, the increase in visceral fat raises insulin resistance, heightening the risk of chronic metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
In this way, modern medicine interprets the decline of essence mentioned in the Donguibogam as whole-body hypofunction resulting from hormonal imbalance, particularly androgen decline. Rather than being merely a natural phenomenon of getting older, it is important to understand this as a complex syndrome arising from a disrupted balance across overall bodily systems. Therefore, if you are experiencing these changes, rather than brushing them off with thoughts like 'that is just what happens at this age,' proactive effort is needed to replenish your body's essence and restore hormonal balance.
