Male Menopause: Overview and More

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prognosis

Coping

When men age, there’s a natural decline in the body’s production of the hormonetestosterone(androgen), which is responsible for regulation of sex characteristics in those assigned male at birth. Later on in life, testosterone is vital to a man’s physical and mental wellness.

A drop in testosterone can cause what’s commonly referred to ashypogonadism, which is sometimes informally referred to as “male menopause” because it usually arises around the same time asmenopausein women: in their late 40s or early 50s. The medical term for it is andropause.

There has been controversy about the causes of andropause and even the replacement of testosterone in men who have symptoms. There is also some discrepancy in how many men actually meet the criteria forlow testosterone.

Verywell / Julie Bang

It is estimated that hypogonadism affects an estimated 5 million men in the United States, and although it may occur in men at any age, low levels are more common in older men. This can lead to symptoms like erectile dysfunction, loss of energy and muscle mass, and changes in mood. Treatment for this condition primarily involvestestosterone replacement therapy (TRT), alongside careful monitoring.

These symptoms can have a significant impact on quality of life while making other health issues more difficult to manage.

Andropause Symptoms

In contrast to female menopause, wherein women become unable to ovulate, andropause doesn’t interfere with sperm production. But it does develop more slowly, with symptoms and signs often subtle. This leads to:

Some men with the condition also experience symptoms associated with female menopause such as hot flashes and sweating. Notably, too, some men with low testosterone display no signs.

Whereas menopause in women sets on relatively quickly as production of the hormonesestrogenandprogesteronestops, there’s a more gradual shift in men. Starting in the mid-30s, men lose about 1.6% of their testosterone a year, which is usually a natural, unproblematic process.However, symptoms can arise if you don’t have enough.

Testosterone Levels and AndropauseThere’s no agreed-upon testosterone level threshold for andropause. In fact, there’s still some medical debate about whether the absence of this hormone is directly at fault.What is known is that healthy levels fluctuate as you age; what’s OK for a 50-year-old may not be for a 30-year-old.

Testosterone Levels and Andropause

There’s no agreed-upon testosterone level threshold for andropause. In fact, there’s still some medical debate about whether the absence of this hormone is directly at fault.What is known is that healthy levels fluctuate as you age; what’s OK for a 50-year-old may not be for a 30-year-old.

In many cases, however, the symptoms of andropause can be attributed to other factors and are not necessarily due to reductions in testosterone levels. This is at the root of controversies surrounding the condition.

Lifestyle Factors

Activities and habits you partake in can be at the root of some symptoms such as loss of sexual drive, decreased motivation, unstable mood, and others. Significant among these lifestyle factors are:

Psychological Factors

Medical Conditions

A number of other medical conditions have also been linked with severe reductions in testosterone levels as the body’s ability to synthesize this hormone is impacted. This can happen with:

In addition, low testosterone can occur when the testes—where this hormone is manufactured—become damaged or are lost. Accidents, testicular cancer, genetic conditions (especially Klinefelter syndrome), HIV/AIDs, some autoimmune disorders, and infections can also influence levels of this hormone.

Medications

Taking some medicationscauses low testosterone, leading to andropause. This is the case for a range of drugs:

If you’re experiencing symptoms of andropause, it’s important to seek out medical attention. Diagnosis begins with a careful evaluation of your health status, as well as a physical evaluation; a mental health evaluation may also be called for.

This may involve:

You also may need to check weight status andbody mass index (BMI).

BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such asbody composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age. Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.

Blood Tests

Blood tests can help determine if you have low levels of testosterone and assess for any other conditions that may be causing the issue. Common tests include:

Additional assessments may be necessary to assess complications of andropause or further investigate the cause of low testosterone. These include:

What Is Endocrinology?

That said, TRT can also cause infertility and lead to a range of other side effects such as blood clots. This is why it’s important to have replacement therapy done under the care of an expert medical professional.

TRT is delivered in several different ways:

While andropause on its own is not fatal, if untreated, the symptoms can significantly affect your quality of life. Low testosterone levels have been found to increase the risk of death due to heart conditions. This condition is also linked with a number of other conditions, which can also have a severe impact. These include:

That said, if the condition is monitored and managed, and alongside other positive changes in lifestyle, you can lead a full, productive life with andropause.

As noted, the symptoms of andropause can lead to significant psychological issues, especially when sexual function is impacted. It’s important to remember that these issues can be sorted through, and there are means to help you cope:

A Word From Verywell

If you’re concerned about reduced levels of this hormone, be sure to seek out medical help. As with many conditions, early detection and timely intervention can drastically improve outcomes.It’s important to be careful when considering TRT for this condition, too. This needs to be a decision made along with your doctor.

With an aging population, the number of men living with symptoms of andropause will continue to grow. In kind, endocrinologists and researchers will continue to learn more and more about the health effects of low testosterone levels, and management of this condition will get even better.

Why Is Testosterone Important?

9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Qaseem A, Horwitch C, Vijan S, Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta I, Kansagara D.Testosterone treatment in adult men with age-related low testosterone: a clinical guideline from the American College of Physicians.Ann Intern Med. 2020;172(2):126. doi:10.7326/m19-0882Millar AC, Lau ANC, Tomlinson G, et al.Predicting low testosterone in aging men: a systematic review.CMAJ. 2016;188(13):E321-E330. doi:10.1503/cmaj.150262Dudek P, Kozakowski J, Zgliczyński W.Late-onset hypogonadism.Menopausal Review. 2017;2:66-69. doi:10.5114/pm.2017.68595UK National Health Service.The ‘male menopause’.Harvard Medical School.Testosterone: what it does and doesn’t do. Harvard Health.Urology Care Foundation.Low testosterone: symptoms, diagnosis & treatment.National Institutes of Health.Testosterone levels test.National Institutes of Health.Prolactin levels. MedlinePlus.National Institutes of Health.Hemoglobin test. MedlinePlus.

9 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Qaseem A, Horwitch C, Vijan S, Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta I, Kansagara D.Testosterone treatment in adult men with age-related low testosterone: a clinical guideline from the American College of Physicians.Ann Intern Med. 2020;172(2):126. doi:10.7326/m19-0882Millar AC, Lau ANC, Tomlinson G, et al.Predicting low testosterone in aging men: a systematic review.CMAJ. 2016;188(13):E321-E330. doi:10.1503/cmaj.150262Dudek P, Kozakowski J, Zgliczyński W.Late-onset hypogonadism.Menopausal Review. 2017;2:66-69. doi:10.5114/pm.2017.68595UK National Health Service.The ‘male menopause’.Harvard Medical School.Testosterone: what it does and doesn’t do. Harvard Health.Urology Care Foundation.Low testosterone: symptoms, diagnosis & treatment.National Institutes of Health.Testosterone levels test.National Institutes of Health.Prolactin levels. MedlinePlus.National Institutes of Health.Hemoglobin test. MedlinePlus.

Qaseem A, Horwitch C, Vijan S, Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta I, Kansagara D.Testosterone treatment in adult men with age-related low testosterone: a clinical guideline from the American College of Physicians.Ann Intern Med. 2020;172(2):126. doi:10.7326/m19-0882Millar AC, Lau ANC, Tomlinson G, et al.Predicting low testosterone in aging men: a systematic review.CMAJ. 2016;188(13):E321-E330. doi:10.1503/cmaj.150262Dudek P, Kozakowski J, Zgliczyński W.Late-onset hypogonadism.Menopausal Review. 2017;2:66-69. doi:10.5114/pm.2017.68595UK National Health Service.The ‘male menopause’.Harvard Medical School.Testosterone: what it does and doesn’t do. Harvard Health.Urology Care Foundation.Low testosterone: symptoms, diagnosis & treatment.National Institutes of Health.Testosterone levels test.National Institutes of Health.Prolactin levels. MedlinePlus.National Institutes of Health.Hemoglobin test. MedlinePlus.

Millar AC, Lau ANC, Tomlinson G, et al.Predicting low testosterone in aging men: a systematic review.CMAJ. 2016;188(13):E321-E330. doi:10.1503/cmaj.150262

Dudek P, Kozakowski J, Zgliczyński W.Late-onset hypogonadism.Menopausal Review. 2017;2:66-69. doi:10.5114/pm.2017.68595

UK National Health Service.The ‘male menopause’.

Harvard Medical School.Testosterone: what it does and doesn’t do. Harvard Health.

Urology Care Foundation.Low testosterone: symptoms, diagnosis & treatment.

National Institutes of Health.Testosterone levels test.

National Institutes of Health.Prolactin levels. MedlinePlus.

National Institutes of Health.Hemoglobin test. MedlinePlus.

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Andropause Symptoms#

Testosterone Levels and Andropause#

Lifestyle Factors#

Psychological Factors#

Medical Conditions#

Medications#

Blood Tests#

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