How To Diagnose Male Menopause

Not just women have hormonal effects within their body. Males also have hormones and can develop issues related to their hormones similar to those of women. One of these conditions is male menopause, also called androgen decline or simply low testosterone. The term male menopause is not accurate for the condition since nothing really pauses, it only slows down.

Men experience a variety of symptoms during male menopause. Many men experience fatigue, weakness, depression, and sexual dysfunction. It is very different in men and women because men never stop producing sperm and testosterone even if they’re low. While women stop their hormone and egg production entirely, a healthy man can produce sperm usually his entire life.

Symptoms of Male Menopause

A variety of symptoms can occur in someone experiencing male menopause. They may have changes in their sexual function, poor sleep patterns, development of male breasts, and more body fat. Additionally, energy levels decline and emotional changes are possible. Many people with male menopause feel depressed and lack energy.

Diagnosing Male Menopause

To diagnose this condition the doctor will perform a physical, ask about symptoms, and conduct tests to rule out other contributing conditions. Most likely, the doctor will test for testosterone levels to find out if the man is suffering from low testosterone, which can be treated as long as there aren’t any underlying conditions causing it like diabetes.

Treating Male Menopause

If tests come back indicating a hormonal issue that isn’t happening alongside other conditions that can cause these symptoms the doctor may offer solutions such as diet, exercise, medications, and hormone replacement therapy if the patient has no risk of developing prostate cancer as hormones could make it worse.

When Can It Start?

For most men, male menopause may start as early as 45 but it can happen at any age. Any male who feels uninterested in sex, tired, moody, and even depressed should first visit their doctor to rule out hormonal issues. Once that is ruled out then other treatments can be given.

What Can a Man Do?

First, it’s important to pay attention to your health always. If you notice changes, it’s important to ask your primary care physician about those changes at your yearly physical. Anything you notice even if it seems small should be brought up with your doctor. Don’t allow a doctor to ignore the symptoms either.

Thankfully, the condition is treatable. It’s not something the man has to live with for a lifetime like with female menopause, which is the end of the egg and hormone production time for her. A healthy man can be treated with exercise, diet, and hormones and get back much of his vibrancy including sexual function.