This is almost a trick question. You can answer either way to the question of is male menopause real, though the affirmative answer is more interesting.
The Dictionary Answer
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, menopause is “the natural cessation of menstruation.” Therefore, a negative answer to the above question is acceptable.
The More Interesting Answer
However, age-related hormone changes are the real cause of menopause. By this definition, there really is such a thing as male menopause. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, it affects about 2% of men.
What is Male Menopause
Male menopause is caused by low levels of testosterone. Unlike the drastic estrogen drop in middle-aged females, testosterone production in men decreases gradually beginning at about age 30.
Although male menopause usually happens after age 50, it can show up in men as young as 40. However, not all men will experience menopause even when the testosterone levels are measurably low.
The Effects of Male Menopause
Late-onset hypogonadism is the medical term for male menopause. The physical symptoms include lower muscle mass, higher body fat, hair loss, tender breasts, and more brittle bones due to lower bone density.
The obvious emotional symptom of low testosterone levels is decreased self-confidence. In addition, the person’s memory, concentration and motivation may also suffer. Changes in sleep like insomnia and increased drowsiness can happen as well.
For most men, the most dreaded symptom of male menopause is erectile dysfunction. ED may or may not occur with reduced sex drive and infertility.
You can find out if your testosterone level is low by doing a blood test. The good news is you may not experience the symptoms of male menopause even if you have low testosterone. This is why it only affects about 2% of men. Is male menopause real is not such a scary question after all.
