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Is there a ‘male menopause’?

Wondering if men can also experience a 'menopause’ and if it could affect your performance? Dr Nicky Keay explains

Dr Nicky Keay
Credit: Getty Images

Men do not have an abrupt finish to the production of sex steroid hormones, as found in women reaching the menopause. Nevertheless, there is a gradual decline in testosterone with increasing age, from middle age onwards.

Testosterone is an important hormone, driving adaptations to exercise such as maintaining haemoglobin levels and optimal body composition. So decreasing levels can potentially impact athletic performance in age-group male triathletes.

However, seeking out testosterone medication is a big no no, as it’s a banned substance under WADA jurisdiction. Instead, being proactive in terms of athlete behaviours is the best approach.

This might include ensuring adequate fuelling, especially around training sessions to maintain consistent levels of energy to support healthy hormones.

Strength and conditioning, in particular resistance training, is also important to maintain optimal body composition as we get older.

And not to be overlooked is adequate rest and recovery between training sessions, with sleep being the key time for the release of growth hormones to back up adaptive responses to training.

Profile image of Dr Nicky Keay Dr Nicky Keay Sports and dance Endocrinologist

About

Dr Nicky Keay is a sports and dance endocrinologist. As an honorary clinical lecturer in medicine at University College London and previously research fellow in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University, she conducts clinical research in sports/dance endocrinology. She’s a member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine and the British Menopause Society, and a speaker on dance endocrinology for the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science and International Association of Dance Medicine and Science. Dr Nicky is also the author of ‘Hormones, Health and Human Potential: A guide to understanding your hormones to optimise your health and performance’. Dr Nicky Keay studied medicine at Cambridge University, with clinical attachments including sports medicine clinics in Australia and University of Geneva. After gaining membership of the Royal College of Physicians, she gained extensive clinical and research experience in endocrinology and sport/dance and exercise medicine involving elite athletes, professional ballet dancers and young aspiring athletes. As a research fellow at St Thomas’ Hospital Nicky was part of the international medical team working to develop a test to detect athletes doping with growth hormone, supported by the International Olympic Committee. Her other research studies have investigated the effects of training and nutrition on the endocrine system, body composition and bone mineral density, and relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S) in competitive male cyclists. Nicky wrote the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine (BASEM) educational website Health4Performance on RED-S, is the medical advisor to Scottish Ballet, runs a clinic for dancers and athletes, and is chief medical officer of Forth Edge, providing medical interpretation of blood tests to dancers and athletes. Dr Nicky is also an experienced ballet dancer, choreographer and teacher, and has a background in competitive swimming, gymnastics and tennis, together with recreational cycling and windsurfing. Plus, she’s a qualified Pilates foundation teacher.