Is 'Manopause' Real?

How menopause and andropause overlap—and where they differ in surprising ways.

Posted January 15, 2026 | Reviewed by Margaret Foley

By now, most of us are aware of the realities of female perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause changes. But what about andropause? Do men go through a male menopause but just tough it instead of talking about it?

Not usually. Although many age-related changes of menopause and so-called “manopause” are similar, there are very significant differences, both physically and psychologically.

Let’s start with the similarities.

Both menopause and andropause may increase irritability, moodiness, and depression because there is a decline in the hormones regulating the neurotransmitters that affect our emotions.

“Why did I come into the kitchen?” moments and “ brain fog ” can also be part of both menopause and andropause. In this case, fluctuating hormone levels affect our memory storage and retrieval mechanisms, causing frustrating forgetfulness and trouble focusing.

Body temperature dysregulation means hot flashes, cold chills, or both. Women may talk about hot flashes more often, but we all complain about insomnia and frequent waking during the night.

Body metabolism changes mean men and women are both noticing that their carb cravings are increasing—and their waistlines along with it. In addition, fat is now more likely to be stored in the belly, and joint and muscle problems can make staying active more challenging.

Are you working twice as hard to maintain muscle mass and reacting half as quickly if you fall? Unfortunately, slower reaction times as we age mean we are all tripping more and saving ourselves from injury less often.

Loss of libido during menopause and andropause is another common complaint, but my colleagues say that men are less likely to address these changes with their physician, and women are less likely to be asked about their sex life by their physician. If you are feeling this loss of communication and information, start the conversation with your physician.

Now let’s look at the differences between menopause and andropause.

The list may be shorter, but the differences are significant.

The biggest difference between what some are calling “male menopause” and female menopause is that there is no real pause in andropause, according to my colleague Natan Bar-Chama, Director of the Center for Male Reproductive Health at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York and the Department of Urology at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

For women, at some point, there is a universal decrease in estrogen , causing the end of menstruation. Men’s testosterone levels, on the other hand, generally decrease slowly, averaging only about 1 percent a year after age 40.¹

For women, ovulation and fertility also end, sometimes quickly and unexpectedly. Not every aging man, however, will develop clinically low testosterone, and if he does, it is often treatable and even reversible.

“Think of menopause as a fertility light switch being turned off, while andropause is more like a dimmer switch being slowly lowered over the course of decades,” says Bar-Chama.

My patients report big differences in the psychological experience of andropause and menopause as well. For women, emotional ups and downs that are part of midlife changes are often already familiar aspects of PMS, pregnancy , and the baby blues . For men, on the other hand, even milder and more gradual hormonal changes can be a shock because they have not had experience with hormone-triggered mood changes.

For women, going through perimenopause and menopause is often like going through a rite of passage or joining a women’s club. Sharing menopause tips, remedies, jokes, complaints, and stories prepares us for what my grandmother called “the changes.” For men, there is likely to be less sharing of the experience or emotional support. One of my male patients described his midlife experience like this: “One day I had hair and energy, and then I didn’t. It snuck up on me.”

Whether it’s menopause or andropause, there are DIY and professional strategies to help us go through it. Since our own perspective has the greatest impact on our feelings and behavior, reframe your midlife experiences so you see them as changes, not losses.

Be an observer of those changes, not a “victim,” and record your stories to share.

Like raising a child, getting yourself through midlife transitions will also take a village. Gather everyone you may need: a medical advisor, cheerleader, sympathetic ear, trained support therapist, science-based information (podcasts, articles), a group for fun, and a buddy going through the same thing.

Consider professional help if you find you are withdrawing from others or from your life. The particular therapeutic approach is not as important as having a comfortable connection with your therapist so it is easy to talk together. The value of talk therapy is the opportunity it gives you to hear yourself out loud—and to internalize the things the therapist says that you later find you can say to yourself and have them make a difference. Psychology Today has an extensive resource list of qualified therapists.

And finally, add yourself to your list of loved ones by taking care of your sleep, diet , and exercise to maintain your energy and optimism .

To find a therapist, please visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory .

Barrett-Connor, Elizabeth. “Male Testosterone: What Is Normal?” Clinical Endocrinology , vol. 62, no. 3, Mar. 2005, pp. 263–264, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2265.2005.02232.x . Accessed 19 Apr. 2021.

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Georgia Witkin, Ph.D. , is Head of Patient Services Development for Progyny, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Ob/Gyn and Reproductive Sciences at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and Director of Patient Services Management and Development at U.S. Fertility.

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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.