MALE MENOPAUSE: SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS

Male menopause: signs, symptoms and treatments

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‘Male menopause’ might sound like a jokey term, in the same vein as ‘man flu’ or ‘mansplaining’ – but in fact it refers to a real medical condition that can affect up to 25% of men over the age of 40.

Experts are often reluctant to use the term ‘male menopause’. They prefer to use andropause, or late onset hypogonadism (LOH). Whatever you choose to call it, the truth is that a significant number of men might experience physical changes in middle age due to declining hormonal levels. These changes often take the form of fatigue, irritability and even depression, making the effects of ‘male menopause’ very similar to its female counterpart.

The term ‘male menopause’ is misleading because – unlike with female menopause, where there is a sudden drop in hormone production following the end of ovulation – the process is gradual. On average, according to research published by Britain’s National Health Service (NHS), male testosterone levels will decline by 1-2% every year over the age of 40. This is a natural, normal process – with 18-year-old men typically showing testosterone levels exceeding 1,000 nanograms per decilitre (ng/dl), compared to 200 ng/dl in 80-year-old men.

However, for about 10-25% of males, these testosterone levels will fall low enough for the symptoms of ‘male menopause’ to start showing. There is no single measure of what ‘low enough’ is, as every individual will have their own personal threshold, and lifestyle choices also play a role.

TREATMENT OPTIONS
If you are within the age range for andropause and find yourself experiencing the symptoms below, visit your doctor and ask them to recommend a blood test to check your testosterone levels.

If these levels are outside the normal range for men of your age, some form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might be recommended to boost your testosterone levels. Modern HRTs come in many forms, such as injections and tablets, as well as non-invasive options like patches and gels.

However, often the symptoms of andropause are best treated with a more holistic approach. This might include interventions aimed at managing stress levels and achieving greater lifestyle balance. Take important note of the following lifestyle factors, all of which could contribute to the effects of ‘male menopause’.

Related article: 5 ‘Female problems’ that affect men too

• Lack of sleep. As we age, we tend to need more sleep every night in order to wake up feeling rested and refreshed. This might require you to make adjustments to your daily routine to ensure that you establish healthy sleep patterns.
• A poor diet. Ensure that you eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh produce every day. Especially over extended periods of time, eating unhealthy foods can weaken your body’s immune system and deplete its nutrient resources.
• Lack of exercise. Regular exercise – at least 150 minutes of activity per week – can provide both short and long-term relief from many of the symptoms of male menopause.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The most widely experienced symptoms of ‘male menopause’ include:

• General lack of energy and enthusiasm
• Loss of libido (sexual drive), including erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Mood swings, including irritability, nervousness and depression
• Loss of muscle mass and reduced exercise capacity
• Fat redistribution, such as developing a ‘beer boep’ or ‘man boobs’
• Decreased bone density
• Difficulty sleeping, night sweats, insomnia, increased tiredness
• Poor concentration and decreased short-term memory retention

Related article: 7 Health checks every man should have

For increased energy levels and improved memory function, it is vital that you make time for exercise on a consistent basis.

• Drinking and smoking. As well as increasing your risk of organ damage and serious diseases, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can amplify the physical effects of andropause.
• Low self-esteem. It is important to remember that the experience of male menopause often has a strong (at times overwhelming) psychological component. Feelings of low self-esteem and a sense of purposelessness (the ‘mid-life crisis’) are common experiences and should be treated with seriousness and compassion. Speak to your doctor about mental health treatment options: there has been much research, for example, into the use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to treat some of the effects of male menopause.

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