The official Tumblr for the Center for Sexual Pleasure & Health!Word Of The Day: andropause
Our bodies change as we age, and the production of certain hormones naturally begins to slow. In uterus and ovary-owners, one of the most notable changes is known as menopause, referring to the gradual cessation of ovary function and fertility. But just because menopause is most commonly talked about doesn’t mean that those without uteruses are off the hook!
Andropause is a bodily phase marked by a steep decrease of testosterone levels. It is often called “male menopause”, but this term is misleading as it is obviously not male-specific. It has many similar symptoms to menopause, such as osteoporosis, decreased sex drive, and loss of body hair. However, it will be different for everyone - some may experience the symptoms acutely, while others may barely notice them. Furthermore, natural levels of testosterone vary from person to person, so an analysis of long-term testosterone levels throughout your lifetime is necessary to determine whether or not andropause is the cause for your symptoms.
And most importantly, similarly to menopause, andropause and the effects associated with it do NOT mean that sexual activity has to cease all together. It just means that your body has changed, and you may have to find other ways to deal with this, such as extra silicone lube if you or your partner are not producing enough natural lubrication, or the introduction of other external forms of erotica to amp up your sex drive when you want to.
