Hormones in Men
Understanding testosterone, estradiol, and other hormones that influence mood, energy, stress tolerance, and relationships in men across the lifespan.
← Back to Hormones & TransitionsUnderstanding men's hormonal transitions is key to the Manopause framework. Men's hormonal systems are often overlooked in health conversations, but hormonal changes significantly affect mood, energy, stress tolerance, and relationships. While men don't experience the dramatic cyclical shifts of menstruation or the defined menopause that women do, age-related hormonal decline—especially in testosterone— creates real and measurable effects on physical health, emotional regulation, and relational patterns.
This section provides educational information only. If you're experiencing symptoms that affect your wellbeing or relationships, consult a healthcare provider (primary care doctor, urologist, or endocrinologist).
Testosterone
What It Does
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, produced in the testes. It affects sexual function, muscle mass, bone density, energy level, mood, confidence, and assertiveness. It also influences aggression, risk-taking, and competitiveness— in healthy amounts.
Effects on Mood & Behavior
- Energy & Motivation: Testosterone drives energy, libido, and motivation to action.
- Mood & Confidence: Higher testosterone is associated with positive mood, assertiveness, and confidence.
- Muscle & Physical Capacity: Testosterone supports muscle mass, strength, and physical performance.
- Stress Response: Healthy testosterone supports resilience; declining testosterone can reduce stress tolerance.
- Cognitive Function: Testosterone supports focus, memory, and spatial cognition.
- Irritability & Aggression: Both very high and very low testosterone can increase irritability; chronically declining testosterone often causes mood flatness or emotional volatility.
When It Changes
Testosterone peaks in men in their late teens and early 20s. After age 30, testosterone naturally declines by approximately 1% per year. By the 50s and 60s, some men experience significant declines that affect mood, energy, and sexual function.
Important context: Unlike menopause (a defined biological event), male hormonal decline is gradual and varies dramatically among individuals. Some men maintain high testosterone into old age; others experience significant drops by their 50s.
Estradiol (Estrogen in Men)
What It Does
Men produce estrogen (specifically estradiol) in small amounts through the conversion of testosterone by an enzyme called aromatase. Estradiol in men is important for bone health, cognitive function, and mood—not just reproductive function.
Effects on Mood & Behavior
- Bone Health: Estradiol is crucial for bone density; low levels increase osteoporosis risk.
- Mood & Emotional Regulation: Adequate estradiol supports emotional stability and reduces depression risk.
- Cognitive Function: Estradiol supports memory, attention, and executive function.
- Sexual Function: Estradiol contributes to sexual desire and erectile function.
- Cardiovascular Health: Estradiol supports healthy blood vessels and heart function.
When It Changes
As testosterone declines with age, the amount of estradiol produced also declines. However, some men develop elevated estradiol relative to testosterone (due to obesity, liver dysfunction, or other factors), which can cause mood issues, fatigue, and other symptoms.
Cortisol (Stress Hormone)
What It Does
Cortisol is released during stress and activates the "fight or flight" response. In healthy amounts, it's adaptive; chronically elevated cortisol damages sleep, mood, and immune function, and worsens hormonal imbalances.
Effects on Mood & Behavior
- Alertness & Arousal: Cortisol wakes you up and prepares you for action.
- Anxiety & Hypervigilance: Sustained stress and elevated cortisol increase anxiety and threat perception.
- Sleep Disruption: High cortisol at night prevents deep sleep and recovery.
- Memory & Decision-Making: Chronic stress impairs focus, memory, and executive function.
- Testosterone Suppression: Chronic stress and elevated cortisol directly suppress testosterone production.
- Mood & Resilience: Chronically elevated cortisol is associated with depression and reduced stress tolerance.
How It Interacts
In middle-aged and older men, stress, poor sleep, weight gain, and chronic illness all increase cortisol and suppress testosterone—creating a downward spiral. Lower testosterone reduces stress resilience, which increases cortisol, which further suppresses testosterone.
Thyroid Hormones
What It Does
Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, energy, temperature, and mood. While thyroid dysfunction is less common in men than in women, it still affects a significant number of men, especially as they age.
Effects on Mood & Behavior
- Energy & Fatigue: Low thyroid hormone causes persistent fatigue and brain fog.
- Mood & Depression: Hypothyroidism is associated with depression and low motivation.
- Anxiety & Irritability: Hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety, irritability, and emotional reactivity.
- Cognition & Memory: Thyroid dysfunction impairs focus, memory, and decision-making.
- Sexual Function: Thyroid problems can reduce libido and sexual performance.
- Weight & Metabolism: Thyroid dysfunction affects weight, muscle mass, and metabolic rate.
When It Changes
Thyroid function naturally declines with age. Autoimmune thyroid disease is less common in men than women but still occurs. If you're experiencing persistent fatigue, depression, or cognitive symptoms, ask your doctor to check thyroid function (TSH, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies).
Age-Related Hormonal Decline: "Andropause" and Beyond
The term "andropause" refers to age-related testosterone decline in men—sometimes called "male menopause." Unlike menopause in women, which is a defined biological event, andropause is gradual and highly variable.
30s-40s: Early Decline
Testosterone begins its gradual natural decline. Most men in this age range maintain adequate testosterone for normal function. However, stress, poor sleep, weight gain, and sedentary lifestyle can accelerate decline.
Possible experiences:
- Slight decrease in energy or libido
- Increased irritability under stress
- Longer recovery from physical exertion
- Early signs of weight gain
50s-60s: Moderate Decline
For many men, testosterone decline becomes noticeable. Some experience significant symptoms; others have minimal effects. Lifestyle factors (exercise, sleep, stress management) dramatically influence the severity of symptoms.
Possible experiences:
- Reduced libido and sexual performance
- Loss of muscle mass and strength
- Weight gain, especially around the abdomen
- Fatigue and low energy
- Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
- Mood changes: depression, irritability, or emotional flatness
- Reduced stress tolerance and increased anxiety
70s+: Variable Decline
Some men continue to maintain reasonable testosterone levels; others experience very low levels. Health conditions, medications, and lifestyle become major factors.
Possible experiences:
- Continued loss of muscle mass and bone density
- Significant fatigue and reduced physical capacity
- Sexual dysfunction
- Increased depression, anxiety, or cognitive decline
How Hormonal Changes Affect Relationships
Understanding hormonal shifts in men doesn't excuse harm, but it can foster compassion and practical problem-solving in relationships.
Reduced Stress Tolerance & Increased Irritability
As testosterone declines and stress hormones become dysregulated, many men experience reduced ability to tolerate frustration. Small irritations feel huge. Recovery from conflict takes longer. Some men respond to this with withdrawal; others with heightened reactivity.
Healthy response: "I notice I'm more reactive lately. Let's table this conversation and revisit it when I've had some time/sleep." Partners can be patient and supportive.
Unhealthy response: Using reduced stress tolerance as an excuse for aggressive, controlling, or harmful behavior toward a partner.
Sexual Dysfunction & Reduced Libido
Declining testosterone directly affects sexual desire and erectile function. This can create embarrassment, shame, and distance in relationships. Additionally, the psychological impact of sexual difficulty can trigger emotional withdrawal or irritability.
Healthy response: Open conversations about desire, medical consultation (viagra, testosterone therapy if appropriate), exploration of different forms of intimacy.
Unhealthy response: Blaming partner, pressure, coercion, or using sexual dysfunction as justification for controlling or harmful behavior.
Fatigue & Withdrawal
Low testosterone and sleep disruption cause exhaustion. Men may withdraw from social activities, intimacy, and even family engagement due to sheer fatigue. This can feel like depression or disconnection to partners.
Healthy response: Recognition that fatigue is hormonal/medical, lifestyle changes (exercise, sleep, stress management), medical evaluation, and patient understanding from partners.
Unhealthy response: Partners interpreting fatigue-driven withdrawal as rejection or using it as justification for controlling behavior.
Emotional Flatness vs. Volatility
Some men experience emotional numbing or flatness during hormone decline. Others become more emotionally reactive or volatile. Both patterns can create distance in relationships and confusion about whether the relationship is still healthy.
Healthy response: Medical evaluation, therapy, recognition of hormonal factors, and commitment to emotional honesty and repair.
Note: If emotional volatility manifests as aggression, threats, or controlling behavior, that requires professional intervention regardless of hormonal context.
Identity Shifts & Loss
For many men, identity is tied to physical strength, sexual performance, and work success. Hormonal decline threatens all three. This can trigger existential distress, depression, or even desperate attempts to reclaim lost identity through unhealthy coping (infidelity, aggression, substance abuse).
Healthy response: Therapy, reconnection with partners around changing identity and shared purpose, medical support.
Unhealthy response: Using identity loss as justification for harmful behavior toward partners.
Self-Care & Medical Support
If hormonal transitions are affecting your mood, energy, sexual function, or relationships, there are evidence-based approaches:
Important: Testosterone & Accountability
A critical distinction: Declining testosterone can increase irritability and reduce stress tolerance. These are real effects and deserve compassion.
However:
- Irritability is not abuse. Being short-tempered or easily frustrated is different from controlling, threatening, isolating, or harming a partner.
- Hormonal factors explain mood, not behavior. A man can be irritable AND choose not to yell. He can have reduced stress tolerance AND choose not to threaten. Accountability remains.
- Understanding hormones supports, not excuses. If a man recognizes that hormonal decline is affecting his irritability, that awareness can inform medical consultation, therapy, and behavior change—not avoidance of responsibility.
- Safety always comes first. If someone's irritability manifests as aggression, threats, controlling behavior, or harm toward a partner, hormonal explanation never justifies it. Professional intervention is necessary.
Key Takeaways
- Hormonal decline is real in men. Testosterone and related hormonal changes have measurable effects on energy, mood, sexual function, and stress tolerance.
- Effects vary widely. Some men experience dramatic changes; others notice subtle shifts. Age, genetics, lifestyle, and health all play roles.
- Hormones affect context, not character. Recognizing hormonal factors should increase compassion and problem-solving, not excuse harm.
- Lifestyle matters. Exercise, sleep, nutrition, stress management, and weight management can dramatically improve hormonal health and mood.
- Help is available. Medical support, therapy, lifestyle changes, and honest communication can make a significant difference.
- Partner understanding matters. When both partners understand hormonal changes, they can problem-solve together, reduce blame, and strengthen their relationship.
Further Learning
Want to learn more about hormones and men's health?
- American Urological Association (AUA) — Evidence-based information on male hormonal health
- Endocrine Society — Professional guidelines on testosterone and hormonal health
- Mayo Clinic: Erectile Dysfunction — Medical overview and treatment options
- Healthline: Testosterone — Comprehensive overview of testosterone and aging