Male menopause, also known as andropause, typically occurs in men after 40 when testosterone levels drop below normal. According to Nguyen Ngoc Tan, Master of Science and physician in the Department of Urology and Andrology at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi, this hormonal decline leads to various disorders in organs affected by testosterone. Common symptoms include fatigue, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, difficulty concentrating, and metabolic changes. An unhealthy lifestyle can accelerate this process.

Sleeping less than five to six hours per night and frequently staying up late can reduce testosterone levels by 10-15% after just one week, according to Dr. Tan. Long-term sleep deprivation accelerates the body's progression into andropause because sleep plays a crucial role in men's endocrine health. The body produces most of its testosterone at night, especially during deep sleep.

Dr. Tan examines and advises a patient with male menopause. Illustrative photo: *Tam Anh General Hospital*

Excessive alcohol consumption not only affects the liver and stomach but also harms reproductive health and male physiology. Alcoholic beverages damage Leydig cells, which are responsible for testosterone production in the testicles. Men who drink heavily are at risk of earlier testosterone decline and experience andropause sooner than those who drink less or abstain.

Smoking increases oxidation, disrupts sex hormones, and damages the blood vessels that supply the penis. This explains why long-term smokers often experience erectile dysfunction and decreased libido.

Lack of exercise exacerbates the decline in testosterone. Being overweight or having abdominal fat directly inhibits testosterone production because excess fatty tissue increases the activity of the aromatase enzyme, which converts testosterone into estrogen.

Stress, while often overlooked, significantly impacts male hormones. Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, a hormone that suppresses testosterone production. This hormonal imbalance leads to reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and decreased work performance.

Men who regularly experience work pressure, sleep deprivation, and chronic anxiety are prone to stress, which can lower testosterone levels and weaken physiological functions, further increasing stress. This vicious cycle can lead to decreased male sexual health and increase the risk of abdominal obesity, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Tan advises men to exercise regularly according to their health, get enough sleep (about seven hours per night), limit alcohol intake (no more than 300 ml of beer or 60 ml of wine daily, and avoid strong liquor), quit smoking, and manage their weight to maintain stable testosterone levels.

Men over 40, especially those experiencing fatigue, decreased libido, or erectile dysfunction, should consult a urologist or andrologist for advice and hormone testing.

Thu Giang