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Male menopause

Men develop symptoms of male menopause during their late 40s or early 50s.

Is male menopause a myth?

The label might be misleading because it suggests symptoms of a sudden drop in testosterone level in middle age, similar to female menopause, which is not true. Though testosterone levels may fall as men age, which is a steady decline of 2% a year from age 30 to 40 is unlikely to cause any issues.  

A testosterone deficiency that develops later in life for men, known as late-onset hypogonadism, can be responsible for symptoms that often have nothing to do with hormones.

Male menopause symptoms

  • Loss of sex drive
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Depression
  • Mood swings and irritability
  • Abrupt loss of muscle mass
  • Reduced ability to exercise
  • Fat redistribution
  • Developing a lack of energy or enthusiasm
  • Short-term memory and poor concentration

The symptoms can hugely impact everyday life and happiness, so it’s crucial to identify the underlying cause and plan to resolve them.

Male menopause causes

Psychological issues or lifestyle factors are often responsible for multiple male menopause symptoms, like loss of libido, mood swings, and erectile dysfunction may be a result form:

    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Stress
    Male menopause symptoms

    The other physical cause of erectile dysfunction changes in the blood vessels, along with psychological reasons like divorce, relationship issues, money problems, midlife crises, or worrying about aging parents.

    Other potential causes can include:

    • Poor diet
    • Lack of sleep
    • Lack of exercise
    • Alcohol abuse
    • Smoking
    • Low self-esteem

    Do you need hormone replacement therapy?

    Your doctor will suggest you blood tests to measure your testosterone levels. If they find out that you have a testosterone deficiency, they will refer you to an endocrinologist, a specialist in hormone problems.

    If the endocrinologist confirms the diagnosis, they may offer you testosterone replacement to relieve your symptoms.

    The treatments may be either:

    • Tablets
    • Patches
    • Gels
    • Implants
    • Injections

    Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
    Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022