Men’s Health – Andropause? Myth or Reality?

What is Andropause?

We’ve all heard of Menopause and likely to know something about it, but did you know that many men also go through something linked to mid-age called Andropause. There has been much debate (and still is) whether Andropause actually exists, however it is now generally accepted in medical circles that it is indeed real. Similar to Menopause, Andropause is due to age-related hormonal changes in men, but the decline is far more gradual making it harder to understand and recognise. Symptoms are often shrugged off as a ‘midlife crisis’ and not spoken about or taken seriously.  Maria took some time to talk to Alban about his experiences of midlife changes and the little talked about Andropause.

“The first thing I noticed was a change in my mood. I was experiencing mood swings which just didn’t feel normal for me. I then found there were changes in what I was eating, how I was behaving towards people, my tolerance levels were affected, there was a loss in libido, body changes, not sleeping properly and I was finding it harder to motivate myself to do things I had usually enjoyed.

It was clear to me that something had changed. I didn’t feel like myself, so I started researching my symptoms and found out about Andropause. I realised I was going through a mixture of Andropause and the more widely known mid-life symptoms. What I was experiencing began to make sense.

I sought help and advice and eventually was able to speak with a therapist. Once these natural changes were explained to me, I was able to begin to accept the changes and find ways to manage them, rather than fight them. Prior to seeking help, I was finding it very difficult to accept that I was going through a change, and this is linked to aging.

I started to work on my mindset and do things that helped my mental health and also encouraged myself to get up and get on with things which made me feel better. I realised that there were imply some things that were no longer of interest to me, and that was OK.

I really believe that this is something we need to talk more about instead of sweeping it under the carpet or laughing it off as a midlife crisis. It’s important that everyone has some understanding of this so that men aren’t nervous to bring it up and to ensure that they’re supported through difficult feelings and emotions, as well as the physical symptoms which occur. I found that when I was going through this initially, friends didn’t understand what was happening and were choosing to stay away due to my difficult mood swings. It had a large effect on my social life, as things which were previously exciting were no longer appealing. Friends found this hard as I wasn’t that person anymore.

I’d say to anyone potentially going through similar to seek help and talk to someone. Go to your GP and make an effort to understand your symptoms and find how best to manage them.”

The facts

What Is Andropause?

• Unlike Menopause, which involves a sharp drop in oestrogen, Andropause is gradual and starts in the early 40s and 50s.
• Testosterone levels decline slowly over years, and not all men experience noticeable symptoms.
• It’s also known medically as androgen deficiency in the aging male.

Common Symptoms

• Low energy and fatigue
• Mood swings, irritability, or depression
• Reduced libido and erectile dysfunction
• Loss of muscle mass and strength
• Increased body fat
• Difficulty concentrating and memory issues
• Poor sleep or insomnia

Midlife Crisis vs. Andropause

• A midlife crisis is more psychological — often triggered by life reflection, career dissatisfaction, or aging fears.
• Andropause is physiological — driven by hormonal changes.
• However, they can overlap: hormonal shifts may amplify emotional struggles during midlife^.

Is It Treatable?

• Yes, but treatment depends on severity and cause.
• Options include lifestyle changes, stress management, and in some cases, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) — though TRT has risks and must be medically supervised^.

To find out more about Andropause and help available visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/male-menopause

Alban regularly talks about Andropause, men’s health and mental health on his talk shows. Look out for the next show by following the LymeOutLive facebook page.