What is Male Menopause and What can You do About it?

The aging process is accompanied by a series of changes in our body system. While some of these changes are commonly experienced by both genders, others are gender-specific.

One of such is male menopause, a condition that mirrors some symptoms of menopause, thus accounting for its name.

What is male menopause?

Male menopause is also referred to as andropause or testosterone decline. It’s a condition associated with a drop in male hormone levels and testosterone production.

Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is responsible for puberty, and regulating the fat distribution, bone and body mass, and sex drive. It also plays an important role in the production of sperm, and red blood cells.

As men get older, they begin to experience a gradual decline in testosterone levels. When this decline sets in, sperm production along with other related functions begins to slow down.

This is a completely natural part of the aging process and often sets in from the age of 30. The symptoms experienced as a result of these low levels may last for 15 to 20 years, and worsen as you get older.

Is male menopause similar to female menopause?

Menopause in women is marked by a change in hormonal levels and this is probably the most obvious similarity between menopause and andropause in men. Unlike women, men do not experience a significant period that is marked by a decline in testosterone production – even when hormone production drops, the decline tales a much slower process than in women.

Also, unlike female menopause, male menopause is not particularly widespread i.e not all men experience it. Another difference to bear in mind is that male menopause does not involve a complete halt of reproductive function in men. However, sexual complications may occur along with other symptoms experienced.

What are the symptoms of male menopause?

The major symptom of male menopause is testosterone decline. However, it also affects your physical, psychological, and sexual health, and may come with a range of other symptoms including;

• Decreased motivation
• Insomnia
• Weakness and fatigue
• Depression
• Increased body fat
• Reduced body mass
• Loss of body hair
• Reduced libido
• Erectile dysfunction
• Weak ej aculation and other sexual problems

Can male menopause be treated?

Yes. There are various treatment methods available for reducing symptoms of andropause.

Sometimes, the symptoms of andropause may be difficult to identify. If the condition does not cause any major disruption in your life, you can implement lifestyle changes to easily manage it. For example, your doctor would advise you to:

• Monitor your diet and consume more healthy foods
• Stay active by exercising regularly
• Avoid negative stress and remove any triggers from your immediate environment
• Get quality sleep

For more serious symptoms such as depression and insomnia, antidepressants and other medications can bring some much-needed relief. However, most situations require hormone replacement to help improve symptoms.

Luckily for millions of men, there are menopause treatments available through hormone clinics like Balance My Hormones who offer bespoke testosterone replacement therapy. There, a doctor will evaluate your diagnosis, help you decide if testosterone treatment is right for you.

Final word

A decline in testosterone levels in completely normal as you get older. However, if you experience symptoms that are difficult to manage, speak with a doctor to explore options to treat and manage the condition.