Male Menopause: Know what it is and how it affects male fertility

It is a misconception that menopause affects only women. Globally, men are also victims of this hormonal disorder. After a man reaches the age of 30 years, his testosterone levels gradually decrease, falling an average of one per cent each year. But in India, unlike women, men suffering from menopause take it as stigma and shame on their manhood and do not seek medical help to overcome it. 

While in advancing age, women fear menopause and consider it as a normal hormonal change that takes away their womanhood. In western countries, some women opt for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Hence, HRT is seen as one treatment option for men menopause too. However, experts recommend raising awareness on lifestyle modification to overcome men menopause and suggest avoiding rushing to HRT. 

Dr Kishore Pandit, IVF & Fertility Specialist says, “Like women, men also undergo menopause, called-Andropause. Medically, we describe it as ageing-related hormone changes in men. When a man’s testosterone levels decline on average about 1% a year after age 40, it leads to menopause among men. It is considered a stigma and shameful so men avoid treatment. Hence, we have to increase awareness about the same.” 

Experts do consider HRT as an option for treatment for menopause both in women and men. The fertility of men is affected by menopause. However, the experts do not believe that the natural, age-related drop in testosterone levels is to blame for male menopause symptoms. There isn't enough data to classify male menopause as a diagnosable medical illness. Hot flushes, impatience, fat build-up around the abdomen and chest, loss of muscle mass, dry, thin skin, and excessive sweating are all possible symptoms. The most prevalent symptoms of male menopause, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), are decreased libido, a lower frequency of morning erections, and erectile dysfunction. As a result of the decrease in male hormone levels, depression and weariness may develop.

According to Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynaecologist, Obstetrician and IVF Expert, menopause is a progressive event. It may be visible at the age of 50 and affects people individually depending upon their health conditions. “Menopause in men does not manifest in the same way that it does in women. On the other hand, it can have an impact on fertility. Hormone replacement therapy can be explored as a treatment option if testosterone levels are dangerously low,” adds Dr Bajaj. 

Experts say that fertility in men is influenced by several other factors such as low self-esteem, lack of sexual drive, a sense of incompetence or being old. Hence, it is very important to make men aware of it. 

Dr Kishore recommends taking good, regular, long walks, training gently but regularly with weights, eating a low-carb, high protein diet, getting a good eight hours of sleep every night, avoiding stress and overcoming addictions- like alcohol and smoking. 

“Overall, lifestyle modification and dietary changes can make this transition easygoing. The role of “Hormone Replacement Therapy’ in this is still uncertain,” he emphasizes.

The experts also emphasize that one should always consult a well experienced and qualified expert before opting for any treatment options including HRT. According to them, menopause poses a health threat to men and it should be taken seriously so that men get the support they need.