Wellness advocate calls for national conversation on men’s hormonal health

Midlife changes are often associated with women, but health experts say men also undergo significant hormonal shifts that can affect their energy, mood, and overall well-being. The condition, known as andropause, or age-related testosterone decline, is emerging as a silent issue among Jamaican men.

Physician and midlife wellness advocate Dr Charmaine Thomas has been leading a national campaign to demystify menopause through her Menopause Rebirth Movement. This November, during International Men’s Month, she is widening the conversation to include men’s midlife health.

“As we break the silence around menopause, we must also acknowledge that men undergo significant midlife changes. Energy, mood, libido, motivation – these shifts are real. And men deserve safe spaces to talk about them,” Thomas said.

Unlike menopause, andropause does not involve a sudden hormonal shutdown. Instead, testosterone levels decline gradually, about one per cent per year after age 30, according to widely accepted medical research. Because the decline is slow, symptoms often creep in unnoticed, making it easy to attribute them to stress, ageing, or personality changes.

Clinically recognised symptoms include persistent fatigue, irritability or low mood, reduced motivation, brain fog, sleep disturbances, and decreased sexual interest. “These symptoms can affect cardiovascular, emotional, cognitive, and metabolic health. Hormonal health touches every system of the body,” Thomas explained.

Diagnosis typically involves two early-morning testosterone tests, a detailed symptom review, and screening for conditions that mimic low testosterone, such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnoea, diabetes, or depression. “Testosterone decline is not the only possible explanation. That is why proper evaluation matters,” she added.

Cultural expectations of stoicism mean many Jamaican men push through physical or emotional changes without seeking help. This silence, Thomas noted, often deepens confusion and creates tension at home. “When men do not know what they are experiencing, they may withdraw or become frustrated, and their partners feel the impact. Women are often familiar with menopause, but very few couples realise that men have their own midlife changes too,” she said.

EDUCATION FOR BOTH PARTIES

Untreated hormonal imbalance can contribute to relationship conflict, declining workplace productivity, sleep issues, depressive symptoms, weight gain, and reduced cardiovascular stability. “When we educate both partners, communication improves. Empathy increases, and the home becomes more supportive,” Thomas added.

International Men’s Day, observed globally on November 19, centres on men’s mental health, fatherhood, identity, and well-being. Thomas said this year’s observance is the perfect moment to include andropause in Jamaica’s national health conversation. “As a society, we cannot promote gender-balanced wellness if we ignore men’s midlife needs,” she said.

Thomas’ call comes as public health discussions in Jamaica shift beyond crisis care to preventative care and emotional well-being. “We want our men to age with strength, dignity, and emotional stability. That means encouraging check-ups, reducing stigma, and normalising the conversation,” she said.

“Jamaican men matter. Their health matters. Their emotional lives matter. Acknowledging andropause is one step towards a healthier nation,” Thomas said.