Is there such thing as male menopause?

When females reach the age where they stop ovulating (releasing eggs from ovaries), their estrogen levels significantly drop and they can experience a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. This life stage in women is referred to as menopause.

A similar life stage occurs in males as a result of a drop in testosterone levels and can begin in their early forties. This life stage in men is referred to as male menopause or andropause. Symptoms of andropause can be similar to those of female menopause and may include weight gain, hot flashes, muscle loss, fatigue, changes in mood, memory loss, decreased sex drive and hair loss.

According to the National Institutes of Health a healthy man has testosterone levels between 300 and 1200 ng/dL. These levels usually peak during a man’s twenties and begin to decline in their thirties. Female menopause occurs from a significant drop in estrogen after their last menstrual cycle but male menopause happens gradually over time. Once men hit their peak in their mid-twenties,their testosterone lebels begin to decrease at a rate of around 1% per year. This decrease in testosterone along with chronic stress, poor diet, medications and lack of exercise can alter endocrine system function and contribute to symptoms of andropause.