Do Men Go Through Their Own Version of Menopause?

It’s easy for men to point to menopause when their wife, mother, sister, or any other middle-aged woman in their life has a meltdown or mood swing. But did you know that some men go through a similar transition in middle age? While some of the symptoms that men experience may be different from the women in their lives, the weight gain, loss of libido, moodiness, and even hot flashes are likely the same. In middle-aged men, these and other symptoms stem from a condition known as andropause, which is commonly referred to as “male menopause.” After the age of 30 or so, the level of testosterone in men’s bodies starts dropping by about one percent per year. Over time, this decline can lead to symptoms that may be thought of as just the signs of aging when in fact they can be successfully treated, leading to a better quality of life and even a lowered risk of disease. Read more…