We hear plenty about menopause and the changes women experience as they age, but men can also go through significant hormonal changes in midlife and beyond.
Dr. Eric Griggs says the process is known as andropause, sometimes referred to as “male menopause”, and it involves a gradual decline in testosterone.
“It’s a term, really more of a colloquial term,” Griggs said. “It stands with a gradual drop in testosterone in men that starts at about age 30.”
Griggs says men typically lose about one percent of their testosterone each year beginning around age 30, although not every man will experience symptoms.
Unlike menopause in women, which can involve a more rapid hormonal shift, Griggs says the changes associated with declining testosterone in men tend to happen gradually.
The symptoms can be both physical and emotional.
Griggs says men may experience a decrease in energy and muscle mass, an increase in belly fat, weaker bones, a lower sex drive and problems with sexual performance. Those physical changes can also contribute to feelings of sadness or depression, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
For some men, the changes can create a feeling that they aren't quite themselves anymore.
Griggs says that can sometimes lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms as men try to recapture how they felt when they were younger.
But he says there are positive steps men can take.
“Get your testosterone levels checked. Get checked, get fit, get moving,” Griggs said.
He also encourages men to stay active, including strength training, and to have candid conversations with their doctors about changes they are experiencing.
And the conversation shouldn't stop at the doctor's office.
Griggs says partners, family members and trusted friends can also play an important role in helping men navigate the physical and emotional changes that can come with aging.
“Just having those real conversations, you know, ‘I don’t quite feel the way that I used to. I’m tired. I’m having problems sleeping. Do you find my mood changing?’” Griggs said.
He says having people around who can notice changes, listen and offer support can make the transition easier.
“The more of the village that you have involved with, as we go from being men to mentors, the easier the transition is,” Griggs said.
Griggs says men experiencing symptoms should talk with a healthcare professional rather than assuming the changes are simply something they have to live with as they get older.
