While the infamous "midlife crisis" in men is often discussed and humorously portrayed, the concept of "male menopause" or andropause remains shrouded in taboo. Frequently used as a jest when men display certain behaviours associated with emotional sensitivity, the lack of awareness surrounding common symptoms of andropause can be very distressing, inducing feelings of shame or embarrassment, causing many to suffer in silence.

In this article, we aim to shed light on andropause as a natural part of ageing and provide insights into managing its effects, especially on skin.

Understanding andropause

Andropause is a condition that is associated with low amounts of the male hormone, testosterone. It is unlike menopause in that the decrease in testosterone and the development of symptoms is more gradual than what occurs in women. For men, the decline is steady at about 1% a year from around the age of 30 to 40. However, when testosterone levels gradually decline with age due to age-related changes and becomes really low, it is considered andropause.

Yet, it’s important to acknowledge that “male menopause”, or andropause, while not something that all men will go through, is still just part and parcel of getting older.

A few things can happen during andropause

Energy levels change

Mood swings

Skin thinning and dryness