Male Menopause: A Real (But Rare) Phenomenon

1 year ago

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The oft disputed phenomenon of "male menopause" is a reality for some aging men -- but it's much less common than many researchers had previously thought.

That's the result of a new study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which concludes that fewer than 2 percent of the male population experiences the condition.

Researchers at the University of Manchester and the University College London evaluated the testosterone levels of 3,369 men between 40 and 79. The men were also surveyed on their sexual, physical and psychological well-being.

From there, the team managed to pinpoint nine symptoms of male menopause, creating a refined diagnostic criteria for the condition.

What are the symptoms?

Also called late-onset hypogonadism, the symptoms of male menopause are triggered by low testosterone levels. The three key symptoms are fewer morning erections, decreased frequency of sexual thoughts, and erectile dysfunction. Combined with low testosterone, those symptoms are necessary to qualify for diagnosis.

The study also found other health problems associated with low testosterone. An inability to engage in vigorous exercise, along with a loss of energy and fatigue, appeared symptomatic of the condition.

Why does it matter?

Two reasons. The study disputes previous research that deemed male menopause a myth. Earlier this month, an analysis in the UK's Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin warned that the condition was largely a myth, promoted by drug companies keen to sell testosterone replacement therapy products.

Not only does the research discredit the idea of male menopause as a myth, but it also cautions against the overuse of testosterone therapy. Given that the condition is so rare, researchers want doctors to stick to their newly refined diagnostic advice.

"The application of these new criteria should guard against the excessive diagnosis of hypogonadism and curb against the unwise use of testosterone therapy in older men," lead author Professor Fred Wu said in a statement.

In the U.S, testosterone therapy has skyrocketed -- up 400 percent since 1999. But some research has linked the procedure to increased risk of prostate cancer, heart attack and stroke.

What's a guy to do?

For most aging men -- whether diagnosed with hypogonadism or not -- it comes down to accepting the implications of the natural aging process.

"These symptoms that are associated with hypogonadism are not necessarily going to be treated by testosterone therapy," Dr. Natan Bar-Chama, director of male reproductive medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center, told Health Day. "We know very well that erectile dysfunction is complicated...and the ability to regain normal erectile function is often not successfully treated with just testosterone."

Not only does testosterone therapy remain a question mark, but many symptoms thought to be caused by male menopause -- including insomnia and anxiety -- aren't strongly tied to the condition.

Filed Under: Surge Desk

Tagged: hypogonadism, male menopause, new england journal of medicine, testosterone, testosterone low, TestosteroneLevels

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