Symptoms of Menopause in Men

Although it is more common to hear about female menopause, men also go through a menopausal period. Males experience age-related hormone changes that cause symptoms. Testosterone replacement therapy is a treatment option to help minimize the symptoms.

Names

• As men age, the amount of testosterone produced decreases. The age-related decrease in testosterone is also called andropause, testosterone deficiency, androgen decline in the aging male (ADAM) or late onset hypogonadism (LOH).

Varying Experience

• Signs and symptoms of male menopause can vary from man to man. Some men experience no symptoms, even with a very low level of testosterone.

Considerations

• Some signs and symptoms of male menopause are also normal for aging men and they do not necessarily represent symptoms of low testosterone.

Testing

• Having a blood test is the only way to know if testosterone levels are low.

Signs and Symptoms

• Reduced sexual desire, infertility, decrease in spontaneous erections and swollen breasts are all signs of low testosterone. Loss of body hair, small testes and shrinking in size because of thinning bones, hot flashes and a decrease in muscle strength are also signs of low testosterone.