While society remains largely patriarchal, affording men certain privileges denied to women, men statistically face worse health outcomes than their female counterparts—especially as they age. Concerns about male aging often focus narrowly on libido, yet men face a range of symptoms that impact their physical and emotional well-being. Still, even in 2025, searching for information about aging in men often leads to debate over whether andropause—or male menopause—is a medically valid condition.
Often referred to as male menopause, andropause is more accurately known as late-onset hypogonadism—a gradual decline in testosterone and other androgens that regulate key body functions. Unlike the abrupt hormonal drop seen in female menopause, men typically experience a slow, steady decline in testosterone beginning around age 40. According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone levels in men drop about 1% per year, potentially triggering physical, emotional, and cognitive changes in men over 50.
Testosterone’s role in the male body extends far beyond sexual function. As the principal androgen, it initiates puberty and helps maintain bone density, muscle mass, red blood cell production, cognitive sharpness, and emotional stability. It also regulates the fight-or-flight response and supports sperm development. Other androgens—like dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)—reinforce skeletal and muscular development and shape characteristics such as body hair and voice depth. As these hormone levels decline with age, the body’s systems begin to reflect the loss—often in the form of fatigue, irritability, decreased muscle strength, and other subtle or serious health challenges.
As testosterone levels decline, men may begin to experience a wide range of physical and emotional symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, this drop typically begins around age 40, decreasing by approximately 1% each year. Preexisting health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, or chronic illness can accelerate this decline.
Symptoms of low testosterone—sometimes referred to as andropause—can include:
- Low energy
- Depressed mood or persistent sadness
- Decreased motivation or drive
- Lower self-confidence
- Trouble concentrating or mental fog
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- Increased body fat
- Loss of muscle mass and physical weakness
- Gynecomastia (development of breast tissue)
- Reduced bone density
- Erectile dysfunction
- Thinning body hair or hair loss
- Infertility
- Occasional hot flashes
Not all men will experience these symptoms, and not all cases of low testosterone are diagnosed. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that approximately 19% of men in their 60s, 28% in their 70s, and nearly 50% in their 80s have clinically low testosterone. Still, many cases go undetected. Contributing factors include men’s reluctance to seek medical care, discomfort discussing sensitive health issues, and provider bias—where symptoms in men may be dismissed or overlooked during routine visits.
When men do seek medical advice, they are often given fewer explanations for their health concerns and engage in less discussion about high-risk behaviors, such as smoking and drinking, even though they are statistically more likely to engage in those habits. The NIH has found that men routinely receive less provider communication during clinical visits, including fewer discussions of symptoms, contributing factors, and long-term risks. Additionally, men remain less likely to schedule regular checkups, further contributing to underdiagnosis.
A 2023 Cleveland Clinic survey found that 44% of men do not get an annual physical, reinforcing long-standing trends in delayed health care. A 2024 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that women remain more likely than men to schedule preventive care. Even when men do visit their providers, they often withhold information about their symptoms or concerns—whether due to embarrassment, fear, or indifference. In addition, men with low androgen levels may not show obvious signs of hormone imbalance. When symptoms do occur, they can be intermittent or vague, which increases the risk of missed or delayed diagnoses.
Although prevalence estimates vary, research shows that symptomatic hypogonadism affects approximately 6% to 12% of middle-aged and older men, with rates increasing significantly after age 60. According to a 2023 review published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, diagnosis is often complicated by overlapping symptoms with other conditions. The National Library of Medicine outlines that andropause can mimic or coexist with depression, hypothyroidism, chronic alcohol use, and adverse effects from certain medications—including corticosteroids, cimetidine, spironolactone, digoxin, opioid analgesics, antidepressants, and antifungal agents. These alternative causes must be ruled out before a diagnosis of low testosterone can be confirmed.
Andropause is diagnosed through blood tests that measure testosterone levels. Unlike women, who are commonly prescribed hormone replacement therapy to manage menopause, the first line of treatment for men typically involves lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management. For men experiencing depression, providers may recommend antidepressant medications and therapy. Comorbidities often associated with andropause include metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, which can also be improved through behavioral interventions. Testosterone replacement therapy may help alleviate symptoms of hypogonadism, but its use remains controversial due to potential risks. In February 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued new labeling requirements for all testosterone products, including updated warnings based on recent trial data related to cardiovascular risks and elevated blood pressure. The decision to begin therapy should be made jointly by the patient and provider, taking into account individual health status and risk factors.
Improving men’s quality of life as they age depends on normalizing honest conversations about male health. Men should feel confident speaking with their doctors and empowered to seek care early—not just when symptoms become severe. That requires clear and respectful communication from providers and openness from patients. While men’s health may not always dominate public discourse, raising awareness could help prevent serious illness and save the lives of fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, and uncles.
Awareness alone, however, is not enough. Conversations must be backed by policies that protect access to care—particularly for men who are uninsured, underinsured, or navigating chronic conditions like low testosterone. Programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and veterans’ health services play a critical role in delivering affordable, ongoing care for aging men. Without them, early detection and treatment of andropause-related symptoms may remain out of reach for millions.
Proposed reductions to Medicaid and Medicare funding under the Trump administration’s 2025 budget plan could have profound effects on men’s health, particularly for those in low-income and rural communities. The “One Big Beautiful Bill,” recently passed by the House, includes approximately $880 billion in Medicaid cuts over the next decade, primarily through stricter eligibility requirements and work mandates. Analysts estimate that these measures could result in 14 million Americans losing health coverage, disproportionately affecting men who often delay seeking medical care. Additionally, the bill proposes $500 billion in automatic Medicare cuts, which could potentially increase out-of-pocket costs for seniors and reduce access to essential services. These changes threaten to exacerbate existing health disparities and could lead to higher rates of preventable illnesses and mortality among men.
The proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under the Trump administration’s 2025 budget plan could significantly impact veterans’ health care, particularly for those experiencing age-related hormonal changes such as andropause.
The administration’s plan includes eliminating over 80,000 VA positions, aiming to reduce the workforce to its 2019 levels. These reductions are expected to affect medical support staff, social workers, and mental health providers—roles crucial for managing conditions like hypogonadism, depression, and other age-related health issues.
Moreover, internal VA communications have revealed that these budget cuts are already disrupting essential services, including cancer trials and mental health programs. Such disruptions could hinder the diagnosis and treatment of conditions associated with andropause, leaving many veterans without the necessary care.
These developments underscore the need for policymakers to prioritize veterans’ health by ensuring adequate funding and resources for the VA. Without such support, veterans may face increased health risks and diminished quality of life as they age.
Expanding the conversation around men’s health must include those who are often excluded from it—men living in rural areas, low-income households, and those who have served in the military. The symptoms of andropause are not just clinical—they’re social, emotional, and deeply tied to how men navigate aging in a system that rarely acknowledges these changes. If care is unavailable or unaffordable, the result is not just delayed treatment, but avoidable suffering.
Policymakers have a clear choice: invest in programs that support early intervention and whole-person care, or allow political agendas to undermine decades of progress. The stakes are high—not just for individuals, but for families, communities, and health systems already stretched thin. Male menopause may be quiet, but its impact isn’t. It’s time to stop ignoring the signs and start supporting the care men deserve.
