Do Men Go Through Menopause? The Truth About Andropause & Midlife Hormone Shifts

October is Menopause Awareness Month, a dedicated time to shine a light on the biological transitions that impact millions of women worldwide. While conversations around perimenopause and menopause have thankfully gained momentum in recent years, there is another half to the midlife health equation that remains largely unspoken: Do men go through menopause too? 

The answer is "yes" but there's a different word for it: Andropause, often referred to as "male menopause."

When navigating midlife—whether managing fluctuating health, balancing career demands, or caring for aging parents—it is easy to view hormonal changes through a single lens. However, many couples find themselves experiencing concurrent hormonal transitions.

Understanding how both male and female hormone levels shift during this stage of life fosters better personal health management, deeper empathy, and shared strategies for vibrant aging.

Menopause vs. Andropause: What Is Actually Happening?

While colloquially called "male menopause," Andropause (medically classified as late-onset hypogonadism or age-related low testosterone) differs biologically from female menopause in pace and mechanism.

Female Perimenopause & Menopause

• Primary Hormones: Estrogen and Progesterone.

• The Mechanism: The ovaries gradually decrease egg production, leading to sharp, erratic spikes and drops in estrogen before a permanent cessation of ovulation.

• Timeline: Occurs relatively rapidly over 4 to 8 years, typically between the ages of 40 and 55.

• Reproductive Impact: Total end of fertility (Menopause).

Male Andropause

• Primary Hormone: Testosterone.

• The Mechanism: Testicular function slowly declines alongside an increase in Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG), which binds free testosterone in the bloodstream.

• Timeline: Extremely gradual. Testosterone levels decrease by approximately 1% per year starting around age 30. Symptoms typically manifest in a man's late 40s to 50s.

• Reproductive Impact: Fertility decreases, but sperm production continues.

Overlapping Symptoms: The Shared Midlife Experience

Despite the distinct biological pathways, the downstream effects of dropping estrogen in women and declining testosterone in men look strikingly similar. When two partners navigate these shifts simultaneously, unrecognized hormonal changes can lead to shared exhaustion and misunderstandings.

Symptom Category	Female Perimenopause Experience	Male Andropause Experience
Sleep & Energy	Night sweats, insomnia, 3 AM wakefulness due to estrogen drops	Disrupted REM/deep sleep, daytime fatigue, lower physical stamina
Mood & Cognition	Brain fog, sudden anxiety spikes, mood swings, irritability	Irritability, reduced motivation, low mood, loss of focus
Body Composition	Loss of lean muscle mass, increased abdominal fat storage	Reduced muscle mass, decreased strength, increased visceral body fat
Intimacy & Libido	Lowered sexual desire, vaginal dryness, discomfort	Low libido, erectile changes, reduced physical sensitivity

The Hidden Catalyst: Cortisol & The Stress Connection

Whether managing estrogen fluctuations or declining testosterone, there is a master hormone that significantly impacts both processes: Cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone.

Midlife often coincides with peak personal and professional responsibilities. When chronic stress raises cortisol levels, it initiates a cascading effect on sex hormones:

• In Men: High cortisol actively suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, turning down testosterone production even faster than age alone would dictate.

• In Women: High cortisol disrupts the delicate adrenal system, which is supposed to take over low-level estrogen production after the ovaries slow down, leading to heightened anxiety and severe fatigue.

Addressing nervous system health and daily stress is not just a secondary priority—it is foundational to stabilizing both estrogen and testosterone during midlife.

Natural & Holistic Support Strategies for Men Experiencing Andropause

Managing midlife male hormonal shifts requires a comprehensive approach targeting lifestyle habits, cellular health, and targeted botanical support.

1. Restore Deep Sleep & Regulate Cortisol

Testosterone production peaks during deep REM and stage-3 slow-wave sleep. Chronic sleep fragmentation or middle-of-the-night cortisol spikes directly inhibit nighttime testosterone synthesis.

• Lifestyle Shift: Limit blue light 📱📺 exposure 60 minutes before bed to allow natural melatonin release, and keep bedroom temperatures cool.

• Targeted Plant Support: Utilizing sleep-supportive cannabinoids like CBN (Cannabinol) paired with CBD or THC helps quiet mental chatter, calm the nervous system, and encourage deeper physical sleep cycles needed for endocrine recovery.

• Kota Botanics Pick: DREAM CBD CBN Gummies, DRIFT THC CBN Gummies — Incorporating a daily tincture or gummy formula with CBN and CBD or THC (indica strain) can help signal to the body that it is safe to achieve restorative sleep.

2. Soothe Muscle & Joint Discomfort

Declining testosterone often leads to increased systemic inflammation, joint stiffness, slower post-workout recovery, and loss of lean muscle tone.

• Lifestyle Shift: Engage in resistance training 3–4 times per week to naturally stimulate testosterone release while consuming 1.2–1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.

• Targeted Topical Relief: Topically applying cannabinoids and soothing botanicals to sore muscles and aching joints supports rapid local recovery and keeps you active. 

• Daily Inflammation Supplement : Take CBD infused with CBG supplements (oils, gummies, softgels) to keep your inflammation levels in control.

• Kota Botanics Pick: Relieve CBD Oil, Solace CBD CBG Oil, Tranquil CBD CBG Gummies, Revive CBD Salve Stick — Formulated specifically for localized joint discomfort, stiffness, and recovery support after physical activity.

3. Lower Daily Stress & Balance the Nervous System

When work stress and daily fatigue peak, cortisol stays elevated—actively suppressing testosterone synthesis throughout the day.

• Lifestyle Shift: Practice daily breathwork, adaptogenic herb supplementation, and routine physical movement.

• Kota Botanics Pick: Kota Botanics Relax Full-Spectrum CBD Oil — Taking daily full-spectrum hemp extract helps interact with your internal endocannabinoid system (ECS) to promote calm, reduce stress-induced burnout, and bring the central nervous system back into balance.

4. Support Intimacy & Connection

Lower libido, stress-induced erectile shifts, and physical fatigue can place stress on relationships during midlife. Reconnecting without pressure requires managing performance anxiety and easing physical tension.

• Kota Botanics Pick: Intimacy & Sex Collection — Formulated with low-dose CBD and targeted botanicals to help quiet mental distraction, promote blood flow, and heighten physical relaxation. (For a deeper dive into how cannabinoids interact with arousal, read our guide on How Cannabis Impacts Your Sex & Intimate Life).

Fostering Open Communication

The most crucial step in navigating midlife health is breaking the silence. Menopause and Andropause are not health failures—they are natural biological progressions.

If you or your partner are noticing persistent fatigue, mood changes, brain fog, or sleep disruption, consider starting an open conversation. Tracking symptoms together and consulting informed healthcare providers can ensure both of you receive comprehensive evaluation, including full blood panels (checking free/total testosterone, estradiol, thyroid function, and cortisol markers).

By understanding the midlife hormone shift as a shared journey, couples can implement supportive wellness routines that cultivate resilience, vitality, and health for years to come.