![]() Another term, andropause, is sometimes used casually, but it’s also cited in intimidating-looking medical studies as a diagnosable disorder. Some sources use the term “male menopause” as an analogy to better understand the hormone loss process, and others can say it just doesn’t exist or even that the term is demeaning. Seeking out more information can be frustrating and confusing. Combined with the fact that testosterone levels vary greatly between men, the slow, even decline can mean it’s difficult to identify when and whether “too low” testosterone levels and/or loss over time may be having negative impacts. This gradual, long-term decline is very different from the erratic, up-and-down hormone fluctuations in women that are actually responsible for many menopausal symptoms. Men’s testosterone levels are thought to decrease about 1% per year. And while some men are capable of fathering children until later in life (the oldest documented was 101), fertility in men does decline over time. It’s individual to the man, but the average age for this decrease to begin is about 30. While everyone knows women go through menopause, it’s much less commonly known and discussed that men’s testosterone production also decreases with age. When Does Testosterone Begin to Decline in Men? It’s an enlightening window onto part of what makes men tick. And “decreased status” – such as something embarrassing happening in front of your peers - causes the body to make less testosterone. “Increased status”– such as getting a raise or being hired for a new job – spurs testosterone creation. Though male and female hormones have many commonalities, testosterone has a unique tie-in to men’s behavior– perceptions and events around competition and social status cause men’s’ body to produce more or less testosterone, depending on the situation – rather than the presence of the hormone causing the behavior. Testosterone is also critical to mental and cognitive functioning –attention, memory, spatial ability, wakefulness, emotional behaviors and reactions, and strategic planning. ![]() ![]() And while research is not conclusive, there is evidence that decreased testosterone is associated with depression in men. Just as estrogen does in women, testosterone in men has major responsibilities for a sense of well-being, energy and capability – these “sex” hormones maintain and support positive mood for both men and women as mentally healthy human beings rather than just as sexual or gendered beings.
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