Does Male Menopause Really Exist?

The phrase ‘male menopause’ is used to describe the gradual reduction in testosterone levels that men experience as they grow older. Lower testosterone can lead to a number of male menopause symptoms, which are occasionally treated with a form of hormone replacement therapy when they are very severe.

It may not be very accurate to use the word ‘menopause’ as this is very specific to women. While women experience a rapid decline in hormones over a short time period, resulting in a definite event which is the cessation of ovulation and menstruation, men experience a much more gradual and less definable decline in testosterone which does not usually reach a conclusion.

Whilst all women go through the menopause, and most experience some menopause symptoms, the extent to which men’s testosterone levels decrease varies greatly. Many men do not experience male menopause symptoms at all.

Todd Nippoldt, M.D, an Endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., prefers the term ‘andropause’ instead of ‘menopause’. Androgens are male sex hormones such as testosterone that have a masculinizing effect on the body.

Nippoldt says "There needs to be a distinction because we're dealing with two different situations. In women, ovulation ceases and female hormone production plummets over a relatively short time frame. In men, there's a gradual decline in the production of male hormones."

Other phrases used to describe this decline in testosterone levels include ‘testosterone deficiency’, ‘androgen decline in the aging male’ (ADAM) or ‘late onset hypogonadism’ (LOH).

Male Menopause Symptoms

Male menopause symptoms associated with testosterone deficiency can include:

Reduced libido

Infertility

A decrease in spontaneous erections (such as during sleep)

Swollen or tender breasts

Loss of body and pubic hair

Small or shrunken testes

Height loss and thinning bones

Reduced muscle density and strength

Hot flushes and sweats

Decreased energy and motivation

Decreased self-confidence

Depression

Lack of concentration and memory

Sleep apnea or other sleep problems

Mild anemia

Increased body fat

Diminished physical or work performance

Some men experience many of these male menopause symptoms to a severe degree, while others hardly experience any symptoms at all. If you are suffering from any of these male menopause symptoms, consulting your doctor can determine whether they are caused by diminished testosterone levels. It is easy to find out if a man's testosterone level has decreased by taking a simple blood test.

Often the symptoms of male menopause have a psychological effect, rather than a physical effect on men. Losing strength and virility can be very upsetting or depressing for someone who had high levels of testosterone as a young man, and prided himself on these qualities.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Male Menopause Symptoms

Treatment of low testosterone due to aging with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is controversial. The benefits of TRT are not clear, and it may increase the risk of prostate cancer. While certain men who have symptoms related to abnormally low testosterone may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy, it isn't appropriate treatment for most aging men.

TRT can be administered via an oral androgen, an androgen injection, or an androgen implant. Men experiencing severe male menopause symptoms may find that an oral dose does not provide sufficient relief and an injection is required.

Alternative Treatment for Male Menopause Symptoms

There are many herbal supplements on the market that claim to relieve male menopause symptoms. However, none has yet been proved effective and safe for age related testosterone deficiency. One of the most common supplements marketed to treat this condition, DHEA, may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Always consult your doctor before taking herbal supplements.

While there's no way to avoid lower testosterone levels caused by aging, there are a few things you can do to help prevent or improve symptoms caused by the condition: