• English
• En español

Aging Male Syndrome

Home > Men's Health Home > Sexual Health > Aging Male Syndrome

• Additional Resources

Men go through aging male syndrome (AMS) between the ages of 35 and 65 when their hormone levels (especially testosterone) decline. Testosterone is a hormone that helps maintain sex drive, sperm production, pubic and body hair, muscle, and bone. The decline of testosterone is normal in healthy males as they age. Unlike women who lose their fertility (ability to get pregnant) when they reach menopause, men do not lose their fertility. But the hormone change may cause other symptoms. All men have different experiences — some men's hormone levels go down more than others, and some men have more symptoms than others.

A decline in testosterone can affect a man's body. AMS has many signs:

• Feeling fat/weight gain
• Problems sleeping
• Less interest in sex
• Feeling irritable or angry
• Erection problems
• Nervousness
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Muscle loss
• Increased urination
• Depression
• Loss of energy
• Bone and hair loss

If you're having these symptoms of low testosterone, talk to your doctor. You can get your testosterone level tested with a simple blood test. Get the test in the morning, when the testes release more testosterone. Because a normal level of testosterone is different for each man, it may be hard to know if you have low testosterone — it helps if you had a testosterone test earlier in your life, so you'll be able to see any change. If you do have low testosterone, think about visiting a specialist, such as an endocrinologist or urologist, who can work with you to treat this problem.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Aging Changes in the Male Reproductive System — This online publication provides information on how aging affects the male reproductive system. It discusses some common sexual and urological problems that may occur as men age.

   http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004017.htm

2.   Low Testosterone — This Internet site provides an interactive tutorial and fact sheet about low testosterone. It discusses the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of low testosterone.

   http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/lowtestosterone/htm/index.htm

3. Male Menopause: Myth or Reality? (Copyright © MFMER) — Sometimes called male menopause, aging-related hormone changes are very different in men than in women. Learn about symptoms and treatment by reading this publication.

   http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/male-menopause/MC00058

4.   Patient Guide to Androgen Deficiency Syndromes in Adult Men (Copyright © Hormone Foundation) — This report provides information on testosterone, its production, treatments for low testosterone, symptoms, and data from clinical trials.

   http://www.hormone.org/Resources/Patient_Guides/upload/Androgens_and_Men_Patient_Guide.pdf...

5. Testosterone (Copyright © AACC) — This publication explains the testosterone lab test, including who might need it, how it is done, and and what the results mean.

   http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/testosterone/test.html

6. What Men Should Know About Low Testosterone (Copyright © Men's Health Network) — This brochure provides information about low testosterone. It describes the symptoms, and includes a quiz to find out your risk of low testosterone.

   http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/timeout/lowtestosterone.htm

Organizations

1.   Food and Drug Administration, HHS
2. Men's Health Network
3. The Hormone Foundation

= Indicates Federal Resources