Male Menopause Signs & Symptoms

Women aren't the only ones who go through "the change of life." Men can experience male menopause, also known as andropause, late-onset hypogonadism, androgen deficiency and testosterone deficiency.

Hormones

• Male hormones don't decline as drastically as a woman's, but they do decline. The effects are more subtle than what a menopausal woman experiences, but the symptoms can nevertheless be quite distressing and disturbing.

The Body Changes

• Andropause may cause a man to lose bone density, increase fat and result in less muscle and strength. A man's breasts can become tender and swollen, which is called gynecomastia, or male breasts. Hair loss is very likely to occur.

Hot Flashes

• Men can experience hot flashes just like a woman does, and they may find that they are far less energetic than they once were.

Insomnia

• Because of deficient testosterone levels, insomnia or other sleep disruptions may occur.

Sex Drive

• Lack of sexual desire and fewer erections, including the spontaneous kind that occur during sleep, can result from andropause. A man's testes may become smaller and he may become infertile, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Emotions

• If a man is experiencing male menopause, he may have emotional changes such as a lack of self-confidence and motivation. He may develop memory problems, have difficulty concentrating and feel depressed or sad.