As women we are only too aware of the condition known as the Menopause.

Hot flashes,insomnia , mood swings,weight gain, changing body shape and all manner of horrid changes beyond our control..all adding up to the Menopause..

This state of affairs for a woman is the end of her reproductive life coming to an end and the resultant demise of life giving hormones and the psychological impact on some women can be devastating to say the least..It is associated with the end of youth,good health as we always knew it and loss of attractiveness to the opposite sex.

This is well documented for women..but not so much for men out there.

It would seem that by the time a man reaches his early to mid forties his hormones too are winding down and he struggles too with problems of menopause..except he is male.

He has reduced sex drive, becomes moody (grumpy) irritable,irrational,loss of drive,some become embittered toward women.Whats it all about..why have I been put on this earth?
He also sees bodily changes in his physique..receding hairline etc,loss of youth and grieving for that.

Does anyone believe that male menopause is a real condition or do most men just put it down to the ageing process.Most men by age 50 are well into what I believe to be ....menopause.

I have no scientific proof, but my Mother and Father (both in their early 50s) insist that my Dad is going though "Manopause", including irriability, weight fluctuations, and having a very high body temprature at night - he's had a full medical, and nothing is specifically wrong, but they both insist his body is acting strange.

So, anecdotally, I'd say that Manopause is real.

There is a doctor just cant remember what his name is now but he works with Men and male problems and he has written a book on the subject. I believe that my husband has early signs of "Manopause". I cant see why they wouldnt go through the same things basically as women. They age, grey, put on weight and lose muscle. So they must be having hormone changes.

Yes Deborah..I agree I was just wondering if they realised it as such or just accepted it as part of ageing..I only mention that because there is also replacement therapy for men that can reinvigorate most areas of their life and bring back it to normal..sex drive , energy levels , mental well being etc..

I have a friend who is going thru hormonal changes and the fast progression is a bit scary...his quality of life is very poor..I worry for him.He used to be so vital, handsome and full of life,
its heartbreaking to see.

I work in the fitness industry and it is amazing to see how quickly men go down hill physically. Whereas women seem to respond very well to weight training and exercise as they matur.

I thought menopause was a pause form men,hence men should suffer womenopause.The pause for both sexes is a time for introspection,soul searching and becoming more wise and independant.

Well sure its fact Ozgirl, fact is that as time passes, men
are less slaves to their testosterone levels. It means
that you girls actually have to have pleasant personalities
and perhaps some intelligence to, big breasts are no longer
enough :)

They become less slaves to their testosterone levels but I think they often get declining testosterone levels - although hair loss isn't the best example as it is testosterone related.

I suspect the answer is that - it all depends.

Henry Parks reportedly fathered a child at a ripe old age (nineties?) and stated that it wasn't his last just his latest. If his testosterone had dropped heavily from the forties I doubt that he would have made the claim. However some men experience major declines. I suspect general health has an influence.

Yabby..have you jumped ship?
What will your new best friend think?

I used to think you were a nice guy Yabs...but unfortunately we are judged by the company we keep..:)
That person is very disliked,and for good reason, you seem like a nice guy you can do better..
The Yabby and PF thread..u 2 seem like the only posters and that whole subject is dead in the water...

Yes Yabby..Im sure you know only too well about male menopause and if certain women in your past have been less than kind..maybe you should look to yourself and your own behaviour.

ROFl Ozgirl, I am fine. I'm simply fussy when it comes
to whom I hangout with. Don't you worry about that :)

I have heard a few times that a reasonable amount of middle and late age sex is good prostate care and maintenance .
General good health and reasonable sexual activity i feel sure delays the "manopause".
However i think men must be prepared for changes and maybe lessened desire occuring earlier in women . That is what i will be telling my boys .

My father, now deceased suffered from terrible mood swings for no apperent reason, we were sure at that time he was going through some kind of hormone problem, but then back then the male menopause was not heard of,thankfully we now have better knowledge into these problems.