An Open Letter to Women: What You Should Know About Male Menopause

To all the women who have men 40+ in their lives.

As a woman, you are no stranger to changes in your body on a monthly basis and at key moments in life. You’ve watched your body move through cycles, shifts in hormones, and transitions both subtle and profound. You will be aware how invisible those changes can be, and how they ripple through mood, energy, identity, and relationships. Because you carry that experience, I invite you into a conversation about a similar, yet different journey: andropause, the male hormonal shift that many men navigate later in life, which has been termed the male equivilant of Menopause.

This isn’t meant to alarm or place blame. It’s meant to inform, to build understanding, and to open space for learning, compassion and dialogue in your relationships.

What is andropause?

Andropause, also known as late-onset hypogonadism or age-related testosterone decline, or male menopause is not a mirror of menopause. It is a gradual, uneven process, not a sudden stop.

Beginning as early as the 30s or 40s, men’s testosterone levels slowly fall (approximately 1% per year in many cases). Some men never notice much change. Others will, over time, experience symptoms that affect daily life.

The key difference is that andropause is not an inevitable situation; it becomes relevant when hormone decline is significant enough to create symptoms.

What signs may emerge?

Men experiencing andropause may not always name or share what’s happening. Most won't, to be honest, and many will not even know what is happening in their bodies. But here are some signs you might observe or sense:

• Lowered sexual desire or interest

• Difficulty with erections, or fewer spontaneous erections

• Persistent fatigue, low energy, and less motivation

• Mood changes: irritability, sadness, trouble focusing

• Loss of muscle strength or mass, gain in body fat, weaker bones

• Sleep disturbances, poor quality rest and recovery

• Hair thinning, changes in body shape

• Memory lapses or slower mental clarity

  
  

These symptoms are nonspecific, they overlap with aging, stress, health conditions (diabetes, obesity), or lifestyle factors. That makes them easy to dismiss or misattribute.

There is also a cause-and-effect situation. Testosterone levels are a function of health. Yet low testosterone will cause symptoms of poor health. The two really go hand in hand and unfortunately there is a generation of men being prescribed Testosterone Replacement Therapy thinking their body's are faulty or diseased. The secret is to boost health, use professionally formulated supplements, which in turn boosts testosterone production.

Once men start on TRT the body's own production reduces further, and they are essentially dependent on TRT for life. Many young men are being misguided and face a life of potential side effects.

Why is this happening?

The reduction in testosterone is normal. Levels are high when men are younger to assist with fertility and masculinisation during puberty. Levels are also high during the 20s because most men's health is at its peak. As men age, so does their health decline. The speed at which testosterone is reduced is directly related to their health status.

The key activities which reduce natural testosterone production are;

• Alcohol

• Stress

• Lack of exercise

• A diet high in processed foods

• Poor sleep

• Prescription medications

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Toxin exposure, especially in the building trade

• Obesity

• Diabetes and insulin resistance

Men also tend to internalise their stress. Often, men from the age of 40 work their way into positions of authority with work, taking on additional stress at work, they often have financial concerns, stress from teenage children, relationship issues, and life in general can become very overwhelming for men at this time of life. All of which is internalised. This effect cannot be overstated and plays a HUGE role in the decline of testosterone.

Why your understanding matters

You bring an advantage many do not: lived experience with hormonal transition, empathy for change, and a voice in your relationships. Here’s where your awareness can make a difference:

1. Emotional support matters. When a partner’s mood, drive, or vitality shifts, it may feel confusing or distant. Understanding the hormonal layer can reduce misunderstanding and judgment.

2. You can foster open conversation. Many men hesitate to voice changes in libido, mood, or body. Your willingness to listen or encourage a check-in can open doors.

3. You can help with decisions. If hormone testing or therapy is considered, you can research together, weigh risks and benefits, and monitor outcomes.

4. You may be undergoing transitions too. In many relationships, one or both partners are navigating change. Recognizing overlap (say, menopause on one side, hormonal shift on the other) can reduce tension and build mutual empathy.

5. Health consequences are real. Low testosterone, when untreated, has been linked with metabolic issues, bone health decline, cardiovascular risk, and lower quality of life.

What you can do (together)

• Suggest a medical evaluation (morning blood test, symptom review).

• Promote healthy habits: regular exercise (especially strength training), good sleep, balanced nutrition, stress management.

• Stay involved in decision-making: if testosterone therapy is proposed, understand the risks (fertility suppression, cardiovascular and prostate considerations).

• Consider safe and effective options such as the MEN's Plus, and BOOST supplements in our range.

• Reinforce closeness beyond just sexual intimacy — emotional connection, nonsexual touch, communication.

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Closing thoughts

You know how daunting change can feel when it comes to your own body: uncertainty, questions, vulnerability. Use that knowingness now as a bridge for those you care about. When a man’s body changes, he may feel confusion, loss, or even shame.

Your awareness, curiosity, kindness, and willingness to engage can be a powerful support. You don’t need to have all the answers — but your presence, your readiness to listen, and your shared search for understanding can make a profound difference.

On behalf of those men in your life, thank you.