Men can also experience menopause as they age

Hormone changes are a natural part of aging, but the experience is different for men and women. Unlike the more dramatic plunge that occurs in women during menopause, sex hormone changes in men occur gradually. This is sometimes called male menopause.

For women, menopause marks the end of their menstrual cycles.

In men, production of testosterone and other hormones declines over a period of many years and the consequences aren’t necessarily clear. This gradual decline of testosterone levels is called late-onset hypogonadism or age-related low testosterone.

Low testosterone levels

A man’s testosterone levels decline on average about 1 percent a year after 40. But most older men still have testosterone levels within the normal range, with only an estimated 10 percent to 25 percent having levels considered to be low.

Low testosterone levels in older men often goes unnoticed. Testosterone levels can be checked by a blood test, but tests aren’t done routinely. And many men who have low testosterone levels experience no symptoms. In addition, the signs and symptoms associated with low testosterone aren’t specific to low testosterone. They also can be caused by a person’s age, medication use, or other conditions, such as having a body mass index of 30 or higher.

Signs and symptoms suggestive of low testosterone include:

• Reduced sexual desire and activity.
• Decreased spontaneous erections or erectile dysfunction.
• Breast discomfort or swelling.
• Infertility.
• Height loss, low trauma fracture or low bone mineral density.
• Hot flashes or sweats.

Other possible symptoms include decreased energy, motivation and confidence; depressed mood; and poor concentration. It’s also possible to experience increased sleepiness; sleep disturbances; mild, unexplained anemia; reduced muscle bulk and strength; and increased body fat.

Experts recommend only testing older men for low testosterone if they have signs or symptoms. If an initial test shows low testosterone, the test should be repeated to confirm the results. If low testosterone is confirmed, further testing of the pituitary gland is recommended to determine the cause and rule out other hormone deficiencies.