Andropause or "Man"opause: It's Real and It Starts Earlier Than You'd Think

December 05, 2020

So, what is andropause? Andropause is a collection of symptoms (including fatigue, brain fog, loss of direction and a decrease in libido) experienced by men and attributed to a gradual decline in testosterone levels.

It makes sense, doesn’t it? As women age and our estrogen levels fall, we enter the phase of our lives known as menopause. Night sweats, loss of energy, a dramatic drop in desrire… the symptoms of menopause are so obvious, and can come on so quickly, that we hold menopause responsible for reduced passion and sexual ennui in our relationships. Yet, the opposite is also true- for many women in their 40s and older can be even more passionate—and certainly more skillful and communicative sexually—than they were in their 20s.

So: What if (in heterosexual relationships) the culprit lies on the other side of the mattress? We now know something that seems obvious: Men also see a cycling down of their hormones as they age. Though the process is more gradual than menopause, men experience “andropause”: a steady decrease in testosterone levels, starting around the age of 25 and accelerating at 40, with clear physical and psychological effects.

Some of the road signs are similar to those women experience—like fatigue, hot flashes, and loss of libido. They can also include height loss, depression, and erectile dysfunction. Testosterone levels can be measured with blood tests, but it’s not a binary thing. While some men with low testosterone show no signs of andropause, the reverse is also true.

If you're a man or in a relationship with a man, you might be interested in natural endocrine support. In partnership with The Hearthstone Collective in Santa Cruz, California, we have been offering a supplement called Power: an all-natural, plant-based formula that promotes the production of androgen hormones. Beginning in January, we will be offering an equivalent formulation for Women, called Desire.

Supplements or topicals aside, there’s nothing sexier than feeling good in your body, being happy and excited about life. And it's even more exciting when you're in your full vitality and you meet someone else in their full vitality, and the sparks fly.

To sparks! To Chi! To you in your complete fullness.

All love,

The Rosebud Woman Team