Men Can Experience Menopause Too

Menopause is a natural stage in women's lives that typically begins between the ages of 45 and 55, characterized by irregular menstruation followed by a complete cessation and a significant decrease or complete loss of estrogen production in the ovaries. But do men also experience menopause? According to the Huffington Post, results from a comprehensive 25-year study indicate that men not only experience menopause, but a decrease in testosterone can pose serious health issues, and if not treated appropriately, it can lead to health risks for men. This study, which regularly measured testosterone levels in 2,500 men over 25 years, shows that testosterone levels begin to decline in men's third decade of life; abnormal decreases in this hormone can lead to symptoms such as joint pain, night sweats, irritability, and reduced sperm volume. (Joint pain, constant sweating, rapid mood changes, and decreased libido are also symptoms of women's menopause.) Dr. Malcolm Carruthers, who led the research, stated that previous studies in this area were not as long-term and used methods that are no longer scientifically valid. In the past, testosterone levels were measured from blood samples of men and compared with levels in their peers, making testosterone levels appear relatively uniform and thus 'normal' within an age group. However, in the new study, testosterone levels were compared with the younger years of these men. According to the Men's Health Centre in London, nearly 20% of men over 50 suffer from testosterone deficiency. This center states that 'andropause' or male menopause is a real issue that should be treated with testosterone replacement therapies. The Daily Telegraph reports that nearly two million British men show signs of male menopause, but due to the medical system's disbelief in this issue, outdated diagnostic methods, and the obscurity of related treatments, the majority of this group never receive treatment. Researchers believe that one reason male menopause remains unknown is cultural beliefs regarding 'maintaining masculinity.' There are many myths about men's fertility at any age, and a decrease in testosterone is often attributed to a decrease in 'manliness.' Due to societal pressures, men often do not discuss this with their doctors, making the diagnosis and treatment of testosterone deficiency difficult and sometimes impossible.