Male Menopause or Andropause: Everything You Need To Know
As men age, some will experience a condition referred to as male menopause. Find out what to look expect and possibly how to prevent it from happening to you.
Board Certified Urologist, expert in male sexual dysfunction
While the medical community is split on exactly what to call this, and there is no true equivalent to female menopause, doctors are increasingly noticing a hormone change in some men as they age, typically in their fifties.
Specifically, "male menopause or manopause” involves a drop in testosterone.
This male version of menopause, also sometimes referred to as "andropause," is caused by androgen deficiency in aging men and differs from what a woman goes through but can still take its toll mentally and physically.
In this post, we'll discuss male menopause, common symptoms and treatments, and everything in between.
Quick FAQs
Yes, although the more accurate and correct term for it is probably andropause. There is no male equivalent to female menopause.
Lower testosterone levels cause it in men as they age. Beginning in their 30-40s, men lose roughly 1% of their testosterone per year. Andropause symptoms usually start in men in their 50s.
In most cases, simple lifestyle changes can slow it down or even reverse it. In some cases, doctors will prescribe medication to boost testosterone levels.
Is Male Menopause Real?
Yes, but the more accurate term is andropause, it is described as a decrease in sexual gratification or general well-being due to decreased levels of testosterone in men and in some cases in increase in estrogen.
Wait, men have estrogen? Yes, but in much lower levels than women.
In fact, testosterone can get converted to estrogen in fat so men with higher percentages of body fat are more likely to have lower testosterone levels and higher estrogen levels.
It's important to draw distinctions between andropause and what women experience during menopause.
For instance, unlike women:
Men don't go through a well-defined menopause period
Hormone production doesn't stop completely
Not all men experience it
What is Male Menopause?
Male menopause is described as a period where a man begins to produce less testosterone.
Testosterone is a male sex hormone that helps drive sexual function and development.
Not only are males more likely to begin noticing girls during their teenage years, but an increase in testosterone is also likely to help males develop body and facial hair, muscle strength, and a deeper voice.
Male menopause, occurs when aging men begin to produce less testosterone in their testicles.
However, it's important to know that this decline in testosterone is slow and steady - and not all at once.
In fact, studies show that, on average, the decrease is only about 2-3 percent year-over-year.
It's when a testosterone deficiency occurs that some of the more significant side effects come to light.
Various other lifestyle factors can play a role in symptom severity.
For instance, the following may lead to more significant symptoms in men:
Lack of sleep
Excessive alcohol consumption
Poor diet
Lack of exercise
Smoking
Low self-esteem or self-confidence
Diagnosis and Treating Male Menopause
For many men, treating male menopause can be as simple as making some manageable lifestyle changes.
For instance, a doctor may suggest a man:
Eat healthier
Exercise more
Stop smoking
Get more sleep
Take measures to manage stress levels better
However, the main thing that a doctor will do is properly diagnose the underlying issue that may be causing symptoms.
In some cases, lifestyle changes may not be the only thing that men can do to help.
In the case of a significant testosterone deficiency, men are often advised to make lifestyle changes or even take medications like hCG or Clomiphene (Clomid) for male menopause or other products to help offset a hormone imbalance.
Diagnosis and male menopause treatment are made by a doctor or medical professional.
Diagnosis can occur during a routine physical exam and performing various other tests to rule out or confirm suspected underlying issues.
A blood test can also help measure testosterone levels.
Takeaways
Many men do go through a form of male menopause when the testicles begin to produce less testosterone.
Though male menopause or andropause is deemed an inappropriate term by many to describe this phase, it can be a challenging period in a man's life.
Though most men won’t start to feel the effects of andropause until they reach their fifties even though the loss of testosterone actually begins in their forties.
During this phase, men tend to experience fatigue, weakness, depression and anxiety, and a decreased sexual drive.
Seek out advice from a physician that may conduct a variety of tests to determine if male menopause may be a leading cause of reduced physical or mental health.
Dr. Jed Kaminetsky M.D. is an American Board Certified Urologist and earned his Medical Degree at New York University. In his tenure he became a member of the American Urological Association and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Kaminetsky pioneered the minimally invasive Rezum BPH treatment and is an expert in male and female dysfunction.
Sources:
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