āMale menopauseā is the more common term for andropause. It describes an age-related reduction of testosterone in cisgender males. Signs include fatigue, insomnia, mood changes, and more. It can also affect fertility.
Male menopause involves a drop in testosterone production in males assigned at birth (MAAB) who are aged 50 or older. Itās often affiliated with hypogonadism. Both conditions involve lowered testosterone levels and similar symptoms.
The same group of symptoms is also known as testosterone deficiency, androgen deficiency, and late-onset hypogonadism.
If youāre a MAAB, testosterone is a hormone produced in your testes. It does more than fuel your sex drive. It also fuels changes during puberty, fuels your mental and physical energy, maintains your muscle mass, regulates your fight-or-flight response, and regulates other key evolutionary features.
Menopause in cisgender males differs from menopause in cisgender females in several ways. For one thing, it is not related to the menstrual cycle. Also, not all MAABs experience it.
It also doesnāt involve a complete shutdown of your reproductive organs. However, sexual complications may arise as a result of your lowered hormone levels.
SYMPTOMS OF MALE MENOPAUSE
Male menopause can cause physical, sexual, and psychological problems. They typically worsen as you get older. They can include:
low energy
depression or sadness
decreased motivation
lowered self-confidence
difficulty concentrating
insomnia or difficulty sleeping
increased body fat
reduced muscle mass and feelings of physical weakness
gynecomastia, or development of breasts
decreased bone density
erectile dysfunction
reduced libido
infertility
You may also experience swollen or tender breasts, decreased testicle size, loss of body hair, or hot flashes. Low levels of testosterone associated with male menopause have also been linked to osteoporosis. This is a condition where your bones become weak and brittle. These are rare symptoms. They typically affect MAABs at the same age as FAABs entering menopause.
Changes in Testosterone Over the Years
Before you hit puberty, your testosterone levels are low. Then they increase as you sexually mature. Testosterone is the hormone that fuels typical changes involved in male puberty, such as:
growth of your muscle mass
growth of your body hair
lowering of your voice
changes in your sexual functioning.
As you age, your testosterone levels will typically begin to drop. According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone levels tend to decline an average of 1 percent per year after MAABs turn 30. Some health conditions can cause earlier or more drastic declines in your testosterone levels.
Diagnosing and Treating Male Menopause
Your doctor can take a sample of your blood to test your testosterone levels.
Unless male menopause is causing you severe hardship or disrupting your life, youāll probably manage your symptoms without treatment. The biggest hurdle in treating male menopause may be talking to your doctor about your symptoms. Many MAABs are too intimidated or shy to discuss sexual topics with their doctors.
The most common type of TREATMENT for symptoms of male menopause is making healthier lifestyle choices. For example, your doctor might advise you to:
eat a healthy diet
get regular exercise
get enough sleep
reduce your stress
These lifestyle habits can benefit all men. After adopting these habits, MAABs who are experiencing symptoms of male menopause may see a dramatic change in their overall health.
If youāre experiencing depression, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Hormone replacement therapy is another treatment option. However, itās very controversial. Like performance-enhancing steroids, synthetic testosterone can have damaging side effects. For example, if you have prostate cancer, it may cause your cancer cells to grow. If your doctor suggests hormone replacement therapy, weigh all of the positives and negatives before making your decision.
Outlook
Itās normal to experience a decline in your testosterone levels as you get older. For many men, the symptoms are manageable, even without treatment. If your symptoms are causing you hardship, speak to your doctor. They can provide recommendations to help you manage or treat your symptoms
