You’ve probably heard terms like “male menopause” or “manopause” floating around, right? It makes sense—if women go through menopause, wouldn’t it be natural for guys to go through something similar? Well, sort of. While there’s no exact male equivalent to menopause, there is something that’s often referred to as andropause.
But here's the thing: andropause isn’t quite the same as what women experience during menopause. Unlike women, who undergo a major hormonal shift as they age, men don’t have a sudden and dramatic change in their bodies. Instead, the process is much more gradual.
Let’s dive a little deeper into what andropause really is, how it differs from menopause, and what’s going on with men as they age.
In women, menopause is when menstruation stops—it’s the end of the reproductive cycle that comes with age. For guys, though, it’s a bit different. Men don’t go through a sudden drop in hormones like women do.
Instead, their testosterone levels gradually decline over time. After mid-30s, testosterone levels drop by about 1% a year. But the key thing is most older men still have testosterone levels within the normal range. Only around 10% to 25% of the population actually have low levels.
The whole "male menopause" idea is kinda misleading because it makes it sound like men experience a sudden drop in testosterone, similar to how women see a sharp decline in oestrogen and progesterone during menopause. But that’s not the case. Men’s testosterone levels decline slowly, so it takes a long time before it affects them.
Another big difference? Men can still father kids even with lower testosterone levels. While women lose the ability to have children after menopause, men can still produce sperm and have kids because testosterone isn’t the only hormone that affects sperm production. Testosterone levels in the testes, where sperm is made, stay much higher than in the blood.
Finally, menopause is something that all women go through. But not every man experiences low testosterone. Only about 10-25% of older guys have testosterone levels that are considered low.
So, calling it "male menopause" doesn’t really make sense because not all men will deal with testosterone deficiency.
So, when testosterone dips, it can lead to some pretty noticeable symptoms. This is what we call andropause—or age-related hypogonadism if you want to get technical. It's the same thing as low testosterone, which can cause a bunch of different issues.
The symptoms of andropause are usually way less intense than what women experience with menopause, where hormone levels drop sharply. For men, the drop in testosterone is slow and gradual, so the symptoms tend to sneak up on you. Still, they can be pretty similar to menopause in some ways.
But here's the thing- other health problems, like obesity, diabetes, or other chronic conditions, can also cause low testosterone symptoms. So, it’s essential to keep that in mind.
The most common symptoms are:
Low libido or low sex drive
Erectile dysfunction
Brain fog (like having trouble focusing or concentrating)
Constant tiredness or just feeling drained
Weight gain (especially around the belly)
Loss of muscle mass and bone density
Feeling irritable
Depression
Trouble sleeping or insomnia
If you’re noticing a lot of these, it might be worth checking out your testosterone levels and seeing what’s going on.
As men get older, testosterone levels naturally drop over time, which can lead to a variety of symptoms. But it’s not just the hormones – men who have obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes are more likely to experience these issues too.
Other lifestyle factors play a role as well, like:
Depression: Can mess with energy levels and libido.
Stress: Constant stress can throw hormones out of balance and leave you feeling drained.
Anxiety: Heightened anxiety can affect sleep and overall well-being.
Smoking: Hurts circulation and overall health, adding to the problem.
Drinking alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can mess with hormone production.
Sedentary lifestyle: Not moving enough can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and lower testosterone.
Lack of sleep: Poor sleep can drastically lower testosterone and affect mood and energy.
So, it’s a mix of ageing, health conditions, and lifestyle factors that can lead to these symptoms.
First, it's important to remember that a gradual drop in testosterone is a normal part of ageing. But when the levels are really low, it could be a sign of andropause (basically the male version of menopause).
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is one option some guys turn to, but there are some potential side effects. Things like acne, higher blood pressure, and an enlarged prostate are possibilities. The American Urological Association recommends waiting three to six months after a heart-related issue before starting TRT.
But aside from therapy, men can boost their testosterone naturally by focusing on these key habits:
Get good sleep: Rest is crucial for hormone balance.
Lose excess weight: Carrying extra pounds can lower testosterone levels.
Eat a healthy diet: Focus on nutrient-rich foods that support hormone health.
Exercise regularly: Staying active, especially with strength training, can help raise testosterone.
So, while TRT is an option, there are plenty of natural ways to fight the effects of low testosterone, too.
In conclusion, andropause is just a part of ageing, and while low testosterone levels can cause some frustrating symptoms, it’s not something to panic about. There are plenty of ways to manage it—whether through therapy like TRT or simple lifestyle changes.
Focus on getting enough sleep, eating right, staying active, and losing extra weight. If you feel like your testosterone levels are taking a real dip, it’s worth talking to a doctor to figure out the best approach for you. It's all about staying healthy and feeling your best, regardless of age!
Q. Is there a diet that can reduce sexual problems in older men?
A. A healthy diet, especially a Mediterranean diet rich in nutrients, healthy fats, and high fibre, has been known to improve sexual health.
Q. How long does male menopause last?
A. The effects of male menopause could last from 15-20 years, but since testosterone levels continue to decline gradually, it could last indefinitely.
Q. Can male menopause be cured naturally?
A. By having a healthy lifestyle and diet, the effects can be dramatically reduced. Losing excess weight, exercising and curbing unhealthy habits like smoking or drinking alcohol can be crucial in increasing the production of testosterone.
Q. What is the best treatment for male menopause?
A. If the effects of low testosterone cause too much discomfort or affect your quality of life, you can undergo hormone replacement therapy. This is known as testosterone replacement therapy(TRT) and can be very effective.
Q. What are the risk factors?
A. Obesity, smoking, drinking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease - are all contributing risk factors.
