Endocrine
Medicines for Male "menopause"
A term for symptoms sometimes attributed to falling testosterone with age in men — but symptoms are often due to lifestyle or other conditions, so proper assessment matters.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Male "menopause"?
The "male menopause" (sometimes called the andropause) is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms — such as tiredness, low mood, irritability, reduced sex drive, erectile difficulties, poor concentration, and loss of muscle — that some middle-aged and older men experience, and that are sometimes attributed to a gradual, age-related fall in testosterone. However, the term is misleading, because it is not like the female menopause: men do not have a sudden, universal drop in hormones, and testosterone declines only slowly and modestly with age in most men.
- How it is treated: The key is a proper assessment to find the real cause of the symptoms, rather than assuming low testosterone.
- Self-care: Improving sleep, regular exercise (including strength training), maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, managing stress, and treating any underlying condition (such as depression or thyroid problems) often significantly improve the symptoms attributed to the "male menopause".
- When to seek help: See a GP about persistent tiredness, low mood, reduced sex drive or erectile difficulties, for a proper assessment of the cause — which is often treatable and not simply due to age or testosterone.
What it is
The "male menopause" (sometimes called the andropause) is a term used to describe a collection of symptoms — such as tiredness, low mood, irritability, reduced sex drive, erectile difficulties, poor concentration, and loss of muscle — that some middle-aged and older men experience, and that are sometimes attributed to a gradual, age-related fall in testosterone. However, the term is misleading, because it is not like the female menopause: men do not have a sudden, universal drop in hormones, and testosterone declines only slowly and modestly with age in most men. Crucially, these symptoms are very often caused by other things — such as stress, depression or anxiety, poor sleep, being overweight, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol, or other medical conditions (like an underactive thyroid or diabetes) — rather than by low testosterone. So while a genuine testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) does occur and is treatable, it is important not to assume symptoms are simply "the male menopause" without proper assessment.
How it is treated
The key is a proper assessment to find the real cause of the symptoms, rather than assuming low testosterone. A doctor will explore the symptoms and lifestyle, look for treatable factors (such as stress, depression, poor sleep, weight, alcohol, and conditions like thyroid problems or diabetes), and, where genuinely indicated, check the testosterone level with blood tests (usually more than once, taken in the morning). Often, addressing lifestyle and any underlying condition — improving sleep, exercise, weight, reducing alcohol, and treating depression or other conditions — significantly improves the symptoms. Where a true testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) is confirmed and appropriate, testosterone replacement can help, with the decision individualised. The important message is that these symptoms are real and worth addressing, but they usually have treatable causes beyond testosterone — so a broad assessment, not just a hormone test, is the right approach.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Male "menopause"
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Improving sleep, regular exercise (including strength training), maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, managing stress, and treating any underlying condition (such as depression or thyroid problems) often significantly improve the symptoms attributed to the "male menopause".
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP about persistent tiredness, low mood, reduced sex drive or erectile difficulties, for a proper assessment of the cause — which is often treatable and not simply due to age or testosterone. Testosterone is checked with blood tests where genuinely indicated.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Male "menopause": frequently asked questions
Is the "male menopause" a real thing?
The term is misleading — men do not have a sudden hormone drop like the female menopause, and testosterone declines only slowly with age. The symptoms are real but often caused by lifestyle, stress, depression or other conditions, so proper assessment matters.
Should men with tiredness or low libido take testosterone?
Not automatically. Symptoms are often due to treatable factors other than testosterone. Testosterone is checked with blood tests where indicated, and replacement is used only where a genuine deficiency (hypogonadism) is confirmed and appropriate.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — The "male menopause"
- Society for Endocrinology guidance
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