Male Menopause: Recognizing the Symptoms of Andropause

Men’s experiences of menopause vary greatly depending on their personalities. Women have a fixed ovarian reserve, which gradually decreases with time and leads to menopause, as is widely known. Although men do not go through menopause, the sudden drop in testosterone causes them to go through similar problems.

Andropause, or simply male menopause, is the name used to describe it. As men age, they undergo a range of changes, including loss of muscle mass and greying hair. A prominent alteration observed in men is a reduction in their testosterone levels.

Dr. Shobha Gupta, Medical Director and IVF Expert from Mother’s Lap IVF Centre in New Delhi and Vrindavan, emphasized that the topic of male menopause is not well researched. Hormone withdrawal in men is not as severe as in women, and it is usually due to a combination of factors such as stress at work, in a marriage, life management, and lifestyle choices in addition to the hormone decline. The decline of testosterone levels can be attributed to aging and underlying health conditions such as diabetes.

This decline may lead to age-related low testosterone or late-onset hypogonadism and can manifest in various symptoms including reduced mental clarity, loss of energy and strength, and mood changes. It is important to monitor hormone levels as one ages, and lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, and maintaining intimacy in relationships can help ease the symptoms of andropause. Research on andropause is still not as extensive as that of menopause in women, and more research is needed to fully understand and support men going through this stage in their lives.

It is essential to provide better understanding and support for men experiencing andropause.