Male Menopause Is Very Real

By Dr. Seema Saadikha, Founder & Medical Director, Zenovira Health

Over the past few years, I’ve encountered numerous cases where couples approach me for infertility and other marital issues. It’s often instinctive to assume that the woman’s reproductive health is at fault. Society rarely acknowledges that male menopause, or age-related hormonal decline in men, can be a root cause.

This condition is medically known as andropause, also referred to as Ageing Male Syndrome or Androgen Deficiency in the Ageing Male. It involves a reduction in key male hormones—testosterone and DHEA—typically starting in middle age.

Symptoms of andropause result from the decline of Leydig cells in the testicles, responsible for testosterone production. These changes can cause loss of libido, impotence, nervousness, depression, fatigue, insomnia, reduced muscle mass, memory loss, and hot flashes.

Understanding Male Menopause and Andropause

Unlike female menopause, which happens abruptly, male menopause develops slowly and subtly, often making diagnosis difficult. Symptoms are frequently misattributed to general ageing, but andropause is a genuine, diagnosable medical condition that affects men on physical, mental, and emotional levels.

Onset and Risk Factors

Andropause is primarily triggered by a decline in testosterone and a simultaneous rise in Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), which binds to testosterone and reduces its availability in the bloodstream.

This typically begins around the age of 35. However, several factors can accelerate the onset:

• Sedentary lifestyle

• 10% or more weight gain

• Workplace exposure to estrogenic compounds (e.g., pharmaceutical factories, plastic manufacturing, pesticide-heavy farms)

• Environmental toxins

• Smoking, alcohol, and poor diet

Additional contributors to worsening symptoms include:

• Hypothyroidism

• Adrenal insufficiency

• Stress

• Insulin resistance

Symptoms and Signs of Male Menopause

Common symptoms of male menopause include:

• Drop in testosterone levels

• Erectile dysfunction

• Reduced sexual desire

• Loss of muscle mass

• Increased body fat

• Decrease in bone density

• Mood disturbances and depression

• Fatigue and memory loss

• Insomnia and hot flashes

• Hair thinning or loss

These symptoms can also affect fertility and overall quality of life. Therefore, it’s essential not to dismiss these signs as “normal ageing.”

Treatment and Therapy for Male Menopause

The effects of andropause can be reduced—if not reversed—with proactive, informed intervention. This includes both lifestyle changes and medical guidance.

Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Following the Wellness and Healthy Ageing Program, men can address multiple symptoms of male menopause simultaneously. Key strategies include:

• Controlling blood glucose via low-carb, high-protein diets

• Weight-bearing exercise to stimulate natural testosterone production

• Weight loss to reduce SHBG and estrogen levels

• Limiting alcohol to stabilize mood and hormone balance

• Avoiding smoking and caffeine to support detox and hormone integrity

• Practicing stress management and relaxation techniques

These steps are essential, sustainable, and non-invasive.

Medical Support & BHRT

In some cases, testosterone replacement therapy may be considered. However, long-term safety and efficacy are still under study, and such treatment must be supervised by a qualified doctor.

A safer and increasingly popular option is Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). This uses plant-based hormones structurally identical to those the body produces, making them safer and more effective. BHRT should only be administered by specialists trained in male menopause and hormonal balance.

At Zenovira Health, we offer India-specific support for male menopause, from advanced diagnostics and BHRT to lifestyle optimization and emotional wellness programs. Our approach is holistic, personalized, and rooted in science.

Contact us today for expert-guided care for male hormonal health.