Male Menopause

“The term “male menopause” has been used to describe decreasing testosterone levels related to aging. But aging-related hormone changes in women and men are…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Male Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Adrenopause
  • Androgen Deficiency of the Aging Male
  • Andropause
  • Hypogonadism
  • Late-Onset Hypogonadism
  • Male Climacteric
  • Male Menopause
  • Male Reproductive Changes
  • Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome
  • Viropause

Andropause

What is andropause?

DotS the definition of androgynous may vary. The (United States) Endocrine Society’s definition is:

“Andropause is a biological change characterized by a gradual decline in androgens experienced by men during and after their mid-life. Andropause is sometimes inaccurately described as male menopause”.2

Female Menopause

Is the female menopause the same as the male menopause?Male Menopause

In Aging Changes In the Male Reproductive System: Introduction the (United States) MedlinePlus explain:

“Unlike women, men do not experience a major, rapid (over several months) change in fertility as they age (like menopause). Instead, changes occur gradually during a process that some people call andropause”.3

Male Menopause

Is there such a thing as a ‘male menopause’?Male Menopause

In The ‘Male Menopause’: Is There Such A Thing As A “Male Menopause”? the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:

“The “male menopause” (sometimes called the andropause) is an unhelpful term sometimes used in the media.

This label is misleading because it suggests the symptoms are the result of a sudden drop in testosterone in middle age, similar to what occurs in the female menopause. This is not true”.4

The (United States) Mayo Clinic also note:

“The term “male menopause” has been used to describe decreasing testosterone levels related to aging. But aging-related hormone changes in women and men are different.

In women, ovulation ends and hormone production plummets during a relatively short period of time. This is known as menopause. In men, production of testosterone and other hormones declines over a period of many years and the consequences aren’t necessarily clear. This gradual decline of testosterone levels is called late-onset hypogonadism or age-related low testosterone”.5

Male Reproductive System

What and where do aging changes in the male reproductive system occur?

In Aging Changes In the Male Reproductive System MedlinePlus explain:

“Aging changes in the male reproductive system may include changes in testicular tissue, sperm production, and erectile function. These changes usually occur gradually”.6

In Aging Changes In the Male Reproductive System: Information MedlinePlus also note:

“Aging changes in the male reproductive system occur primarily in the testes. Testicular tissue mass decreases. The level of the male sex hormone, testosterone decreases gradually. There may be problems getting an erection. This is a general slowing, instead of a complete lack of function”.7

Testosterone

Is there an association between testosterone and aging?

In The ‘Male Menopause’: Is There Such A Thing As A “Male Menopause”? the NHS note:

“Although testosterone levels fall as men age, the decline is steady at about 1% a year from around the age of 30 to 40, and this is unlikely to cause any problems in itself”.8

In Male Menopause Myth or Reality? Recognizing Low Testosterone Levels the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“A man’s testosterone levels decline on average about 1% a year after age 40. But most older men still have testosterone levels within the normal range, with only an estimated 10% to 25% having levels considered to be low”.9

Cause

What may be responsible for symptoms in men at this time?

In The ‘Male Menopause’: Personal or Lifestyle Issues the NHS elaborate on:

“Lifestyle factors or psychological problems can also be responsible for many of these symptoms.

For example, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido and mood swings may be the result of:

  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

There are also physical causes of erectile dysfunction, such as smoking or heart problems, which may happen alongside any psychological cause”.10

Testosterone Deficiency

What is a testosterone deficiency?

In The ‘Male Menopause’: Is There Such A Thing As A “Male Menopause”? the NHS explain:

“A testosterone deficiency that develops later in life, also known as late-onset hypogonadism, can sometimes be responsible for these symptoms, but in many cases the symptoms are nothing to do with hormones”.11

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Is aging-related low testosterone treated with testosterone replacement therapy?

In Male Menopause: Myth or Reality? Treatment Recommendations for Older Men With Low Testosterone the Mayo Clinic elaborate on some steps that might help and also note:

“Recommendations on testosterone therapy for men with age-related low testosterone vary. In 2020, the American College of Physicians recommended that doctors consider starting testosterone treatment in men with sexual dysfunction who want to improve their sexual function, after explaining the risks and benefits. In 2018, the Endocrine Society recommended testosterone therapy for men with age-related low testosterone who have signs and symptoms associated with low testosterone”.12

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have male menopause?

If you think you have male menopause, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Male Menopause: Myth or Reality? Feeling Your Best the Mayo Clinic elaborate on some steps that might help and also note:

“If you think you might have low testosterone, talk to your doctor about your signs and symptoms, testing, and possible treatment options. Your doctor can help you weigh the pros and cons of treatment”.13

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Male Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Male Menopause?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

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  6. Erectile Dysfunction: Viagra and Other Oral Medications
  7. Erection Problems
  8. European Menopause and Andropause Society
  9. Find Information About A Drug
  10. Hormones and Erectile Dysfunction: What You Need To Know
  11. Is Loss of Sex Drive Normal As Men Get Older?
  12. Let’s Talk Low Libido
  13. Loss of Libido (Reduced Sex Drive)
  14. Low Testosterone Treatments: What You Need To Know
  15. Male Hypogonadism
  16. ‘Male Menopause’ Is Real and Treatable, Say Pharmacy Researchers
  17. Male Menopause: Myth or Reality?
  18. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Low Testosterone Can Affect Men’s Health [+ Video]
  19. Mayo Clinic Minute: Prescribing Nature for Mental, Physical Health [+ Video]
  20. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Male Menopause — Myth or Reality?
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  27. Menopause vs. Manopause – Are They Equivalent? [+ Podcast]
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  32. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
  33. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Tips on Complementary Health Practices
  34. Practice Guideline for Pharmacists: The Management of Late-Onset Hypogonadism
  35. Relate.org.uk [Relate The Relationship People]
  36. Sex & Relationships: Sex & Menopause [+ Video: 5 Things To Know About Sex In Later Life]
  37. Sildenafil [Viagra]
  38. Sleep, Food, Exercise, Stress: Why Working on One of These Can Improve the Others
  39. Stress
  40. Taking Care of Your Mental Health
  41. Testosterone
  42. Testosterone Therapy: Potential Benefits and Risks As You Age
  43. The ‘Male Menopause’
  44. The Truth About Testosterone Treatments
  45. Top Tips To Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
  46. U.S. Food & Drug Administration [United States]
  47. What Can (and Can’t) Cause Low Testosterone
  48. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Male Menopause: Myth or Reality? Debunking the Male Menopause Myth. 24 May 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/male-menopause/art-20048056 Accessed: 06 September 2023
  2. Endocrinology Glossary: Andropause. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/glossary Accessed: 06 September 2023
  3. Aging Changes In the Male Reproductive System: Information. Review Date: 21 July 2022. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004017.htm Accessed: 06 September 2023
  4. The ‘Male Menopause’: Is There Such A Thing As A “Male Menopause”? Page Last Reviewed: 13 October 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/male-menopause/#is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-male-menopause Accessed: 06 September 2023
  5. Male Menopause: Myth or Reality? Debunking the Male Menopause Myth. 24 May 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/male-menopause/art-20048056 Accessed: 06 September 2023
  6. Aging Changes In the Male Reproductive System. Review Date: 21 July 2022. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004017.htm Accessed: 06 September 2023
  7. Aging Changes In the Male Reproductive System: Information. Review Date: 21 July 2022. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004017.htm Accessed: 06 September 2023
  8. The ‘Male Menopause’: Is There Such A Thing As A “Male Menopause”? Page Last Reviewed: 13 October 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/male-menopause/#is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-male-menopause Accessed: 06 September 2023
  9. Male Menopause Myth or Reality? Recognizing Low Testosterone Levels. 24 May 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/male-menopause/art-20048056 Accessed: 06 September 2023
  10. The ‘Male Menopause’: Personal or Lifestyle Issues. Page Last Reviewed: 13 October 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/male-menopause/#is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-male-menopause Accessed: 06 September 2023
  11. The ‘Male Menopause’: Is There Such A Thing As A “Male Menopause”? Page Last Reviewed: 13 October 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/male-menopause/#is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-male-menopause Accessed: 06 September 2023
  12. Male Menopause: Myth or Reality? Treatment Recommendations for Older Men With Low Testosterone. 24 May 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/male-menopause/art-20048056 Accessed: 06 September 2023
  13. Male Menopause: Myth or Reality? Treatment Recommendations for Older Men With Low Testosterone. 24 May 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/male-menopause/art-20048056 Accessed: 06 September 2023
Topic Last Updated: 06 September 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 06 September 2023

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