What is the Origin of Male Menopause Symptoms?

The term male menopause was coined to draw a parallel to the well-known female experience, but it is scientifically misleading because men do not undergo a sudden, complete cessation of fertility or hormone production. The clinical terminology, andropause, is derived from the Greek andrós (man) and pausis (cessation), accurately reflecting the gradual nature of the decline in androgen production.

What is the Mechanism of Male Menopause Symptoms?

The mechanism is centered on the progressive age-related decline in the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, leading to lower circulating testosterone levels and reduced bioavailable testosterone. This hormonal shift alters gene expression in target tissues, including muscle, bone, and the central nervous system. Furthermore, increased Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) with age binds more testosterone, reducing the free, active fraction and exacerbating the symptomatic presentation.

Male Menopause Symptoms

Meaning

Male menopause symptoms is a lay term used to describe the collection of physical, emotional, and sexual changes that men may experience as they age, primarily linked to the gradual, age-related decline in testosterone levels, a condition clinically known as late-onset hypogonadism or andropause. Unlike female menopause, which involves a rapid cessation of ovarian function, the male experience is a slow, progressive reduction in gonadal function. Symptoms include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, increased body fat, fatigue, and mood disturbances.