Male Menopause Symptoms

Male menopause symptoms associated with andropause and the associated decline in testosterone levels do not affect all men with the same intensity. Many men may be surprised to know that male menopause symptoms are similar to those women experience with menopause. It is also possible for men’s symptoms to range from being mildly uncomfortable to erupting as severe as those reported by some menopausal women. Symptoms and signs of menopause in men can include the following:

    Loss of libido
    Depression
    Increased irritability and/or mood swings
    Hot flushes (yes, male hot flashes do occur)
    Insomnia and other sleep problems
    Lethargy
    Loss of lean body mass
    Loss of bone mass/density (which increases the risk of fracture and development of osteoporosis)
    Decline in strength and/or endurance during exercise
    Increasing difficulty attaining and maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)

About 40 percent of men ages 40 to 60 experience some of these male menopause symptoms to varying degrees, and the percentage continues to rise after age 60. Perhaps the most distressing of the male menopause symptoms is the onset of erection difficulties. These challenges can escalate into full-blown erectile dysfunction, along with male loss of libido. However, erectile dysfunction is not an inevitable part of male menopause.

In fact, most men remain sexually active up to age 70 and beyond unless they have health problems that affect erectile function, such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity. Between 15 percent and 25 percent of men age 65 have chronic erectile dysfunction, while for a greater percentage of older men, erectile problems occur only occasionally. For some men, however, stress and anxiety surrounding the development of male menopause symptoms causes them to experience erectile dysfunction. This anxiety can then perpetuate the problem unless men take steps to treat erectile dysfunction and andropause symptoms. In such cases, an understanding partner and perhaps counseling for erectile dysfunction can dispel the problem.

What Causes Infertility in Men?

There are several factors that can lead to infertility in men. Learn about possible causes for male infertility and available treatments.

It is estimated that between 10 percent and 20 percent of couples are infertile, which means they are unable to conceive after trying for one year or more. And infertility is not just an issue for women; male infertility problems are the cause of roughly one-third of all infertility cases.

Male Infertility: A Variety of Causes

Among the factors that can lead to male infertility are:

    Varicoceles. A tangle of troublesome varicose veins in the scrotum, causing an increase in temperature within the scrotum, is the most common cause of infertility in men. The heat generated by the condition can have a negative effect on the production of sperm, leading to male infertility.
    Blockage. A blockage in any part of the reproductive system that helps deliver sperm, such as the epididymis or vas deferens, can cause infertility.
    Medications. Certain medications, such as anabolic steroids, have been associated with infertility in men.
    Low sperm count. When a man produces too little sperm, it can cause problems with conception.
    Sperm problems. Sometimes sperm are shaped abnormally or move in abnormal ways, which can lead to male infertility.
    Undescended testicle. A testicle that doesn't move down from the abdomen into the scrotum can affect sperm production.
    Medical problems. Some medical conditions, such as kidney failure, can lead to male fertility problems.
    Unknown causes. There are cases of male infertility that can’t be identified, though some are thought to be due to genetic causes.

Male Infertility: Few Symptoms

There are usually no symptoms or warning signs that a man is infertile, notes Ira Sharlip, MD, clinical professor of urology at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and spokesperson for the American Urological Association.

Men with varicoceles may be aware of a soft mass on the left side of the scrotum. "In rare situations, symptoms of marked hypogonadism may be present, including delayed puberty, low sex drive, decreased body hair, and muscle weakness, among others," says Dr. Sharlip.

Male Infertility: Diagnosis and Treatment

If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for a year (six months if the woman is over age 35) without success, you should consult a doctor. An examination, including an assessment of your medical history, and certain tests will check for problems with male fertility.

A common test for infertility in men is semen analysis, in which a sample of sperm is examined in a laboratory to determine the number and quality of the sperm. Many causes of male infertility can be treated. For instance, blockages in the male reproductive system can often be cleared with minor surgery, and there are procedures to correct varicoceles. In other cases, assisted reproductive techniques such as intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be able to help you and your partner get pregnant.

Male Infertility: Can You Reduce Your Risk?

"There are no specific steps to prevent or optimize fertility," says Sharlip, adding that avoiding recreational drugs and anabolic steroids and maintaining good general health may reduce your risk of fertility problems. "What is good for general health is good for reproductive health."