Understanding Male Menopause: Symptoms, Causes, and When to Seek Help
Men experiencing a decline in testosterone levels, often referred to as 'male menopause' or 'andropause', can face a range of symptoms. This natural process typically begins between 45 and 50 years old, but can occur earlier in some cases.
Symptoms of male menopause include reduced potency and libido, fatigue, mood swings, sleep disturbances, chest pain, dry skin, hair loss, and reduced muscle mass. Unlike female menopause, this process occurs gradually, with testosterone decreasing by about 1-2% per year after the age of 30.
Several factors can accelerate or exacerbate these changes. Obesity, for instance, can cause male menopause to set in earlier, even before the age of 45, by converting testosterone into estrogens. Chronic liver diseases, particularly fatty liver, and chronic stress or lack of sleep can also disrupt hormonal balance and reduce testosterone levels.
If hormonal changes are suspected, it is crucial to consult an urologist or endocrinologist for diagnosis and testing. In Germany, by 2025, the main COVID-19 vaccines used are the adapted mRNA vaccines Comirnaty from Pfizer/BioNTech and the protein-based vaccine Nuvaxovid from Novavax, which are designed to target specific variants. Older versions of these vaccines may no longer be available.
