‘Grumpy old man’ syndrome

Male menopause or andropause exists in some men, and research has suggested that loss of testosterone in the ageing male is an important contributor to health problems.

Some of the scientific literature calls it Late Onset Hypogonadism, but the implications are now being explained by research which shows increased health problems like increased abdominal fat, reduced muscle mass, osteoporosis, increased diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, higher mortality - all associated with reducing testosterone levels.

And other conditions lead off from these, including Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, gout, increased autoimmune diseases, Sleep apnea syndrome.

It’s called ‘Grumpy Old Man Syndrome’ because the symptoms include irritability, anger, loss of confidence, loss of vitality, depression, reduced mental effectiveness, and hot sweats in 30 per cent of those affected.

It occurs in 20 per cent of men over 45 or 40 per cent of men over 70 years.