Hand unraveling tangled knot from head

Men can get a kind of menopause too – this is how it affects brain function, sex and mood

Published: September 24, 2026 at 9:55 AM

loading...

Get 5 months for £5 when you subscribe today

Are you a man in your midlife suffering from low energy and reduced libido? You could be experiencing andropause

As most of us will know, menopause is a point women reach, generally in midlife, where periods stop completely and they can no longer get pregnant. But it’s not just women’s hormone levels that change over time – men’s can deplete too. This is known by some as the ‘male menopause’ or ‘andropause’.

Ad

This period is sometimes referred to as the ‘male menopause’ because of the slight similarities to a woman’s experience – there is a reduction in hormone levels (mainly testosterone) and mood, and sex-based symptoms can occur as a result of it.

But realistically, the differences between men’s and women’s experiences are quite different. Men’s declining hormones come as a very gradual process – at a rate of around one per cent per year between ages 40 and 70. And some don’t even notice any symptoms. Whereas women’s hormones decline at a much sharper rate.

There is a lot of confusion over the andropause, whether it happens for everyone and what symptoms can look like, so read on for the key facts.

What is andropause?

The word ‘andropause’ comes from the Greek word for ‘man’, andro, followed by pause – to cease – and the term came about less than 100 years ago as an answer to the female version of hormone decline.

For women, perimenopause comes about when the ovaries reduce their production of oestrogen and progesterone, causing a whole host of uncomfortable symptoms, from hot flushes to painful sex, mood swings and more. The time of menopause is marked when a woman hasn’t had a period for over a year and it is a natural part of ageing.

While there are similarities between menopause and what happens to men, referring to men’s experience as a ‘male menopause’ can be a little confusing. Perimenopause is a period of change that takes place on average between seven and nine years, followed by the menopause and there is a sharp drop of the sex hormones, with symptoms that can affect everyday life for a woman.

“‘Andropause’ implies that testosterone production ceases in men as ovarian function does at menopause,” explains Dr Robert Stevens, medical director at The Men's Health Clinic. “It doesn’t. Testosterone may decline with age, but testosterone deficiency (or hypogonadism) is a clinical condition, not an inevitable stage of male aging.”

While women can no longer become pregnant after menopause, men tend to still be fertile. And while testosterone tends to decline gradually, by exactly how much varies between individuals. Many men remain hormonally sufficient throughout later life, Dr Stevens adds.

But for men who experience testosterone deficiency to a point of infertility, this is something completely different – a “pathology, not a normal milestone of ageing” like menopause is, he adds.

A human brain model made by needle felting

How can hormonal changes affect men?

In men, low levels of testosterone can cause symptoms that can include low mood, low energy, brain fog and low libido, Dr Stevens says. This can look like having less erections, less sexual desire and in some cases, infertility.

“Many men describe it as existing rather than living: work feels harder, activity falls away, intimacy fades and even small decisions can feel difficult,” he adds.

Some men with low testosterone may not actually notice symptoms or the changes may be put down to medicine or other age-related factors. However, if you’re unsure, hormone levels can be tested to see if you have low testosterone.

A depressed mature man sits on his bed with his head in his hands. Negative emotion

Why do men’s testosterone levels reduce?

For many men, testosterone gradually reduces over time as a natural part of ageing. However, for those who face ‘testosterone deficiency’ it’s a different story.

Testosterone deficiency can come about as a ‘primary reason’, meaning there is a problem with the testes (such as an injury or a genetic condition) or as a secondary reason, a problem involving the brain meaning the hormone signals don’t reach the testicles correctly, Dr Stevens explains. It could also come about as a ‘mixed’ reason – where both issues contribute.

Does andropause affect all men?

While testosterone levels tend to deplete in most men over time, most men won’t notice really obvious effects like women will in menopause.

“The often-quoted ‘one in four men have low testosterone’ is an eye-catching statistic, but it overstates the problem,” Dr Stevens explains. “A low testosterone result on a blood test is not the same as testosterone deficiency.”

Studies suggest that deficiency only affects around two per cent of men, however, this is an estimate as symptoms are not always obvious, and definitions of ‘low testosterone’ can vary.

What does treatment look like?

If a man tests for low or deficient testosterone, you should address what may be suppressing them first, Dr Stevens says.

“We look first at stress, sleep, nutrition, exercise, body composition and underlying health,” he explains. “All can influence testosterone levels and symptoms, and some causes are reversible.”

If a man continues to have symptoms alongside consistently low testosterone tests, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can be considered. The aim of TRT is to restore physiological testosterone levels so a man can feel and function like himself again.

“For the right patient, TRT can be profoundly beneficial,” he says. “It can restore energy, motivation, confidence and connection, and help him feel like himself again.

Runners during a road race, legs only, blurred

How to optimise hormone health in midlife

There are a few things men can do to support hormone health in mid to late life. “Hormone health reflects overall health, so personal responsibility and accountability matter,” Dr Stevens explains.

He recommends the following:

And importantly: you should absolutely address medical problems rather than ignoring them. “You cannot control ageing, but what you can do is control your controllables,” Dr Stevens adds.

This means that if things feel off, make sure to consult your GP who can look out for any signs of hormonal abnormalities, and refer you for further testing if need be.

Ad

More wellbeing guides

6 foods you think are healthy – but nutritionists wouldn't eat every day
Has our protein obsession gone too far?
10 weird signs you're eating too much protein
6 small ways to add more fibre to your diet
10 foods to improve your mood
10 ways to boost energy when tired
Expert explains: what is the dopamine diet
I'm a nutritionist and this is what I eat for a healthy gut

Authors

Amber Middleton

Comments, questions and tips

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

CommentQuestionTip

Ad

Ad

Loading...

Ad

Loading...

Want to see this content?

This page contains olivemagazine content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue