What is the Male Mid-life Crisis?
What is Male Menopause?
What is Andropause?
What is Late Onset Hypogonadism?
Manopause. Male menopause. Male climacteric. Male menopause is not related to low testosterone levels seen in a medical disorder called andropause, but there is overlap in symptoms. Additionally, andropause is a term used interchangeably and incorrectly with manopause or male menopause, causing confusion.
A mid-life crisis is a relatively common experience in men, and it can be an extremely chaotic and tumultuous time. A ‘typical’ midlife crisis is defined as a period or phase of life, usually between the ages of 40 and 60, when a man begins to question their accomplishments or achievements in their lives to date. While ‘crisis’ is the common term used for this experience, in fact it is a natural process that can, in the best case scenario, include re-assessment, adjustment and acceptance. A midlife crisis can also be a factor contributing to male menopause, which is discussed here. [7] [7c]
Experiencing general dissatisfaction with life, or questioning your existing life choices
A sense that your best days are behind you, that it’s all ‘downhill’ from here
Feeling trapped in your life
Experiencing a sense of running out of time to make any life changes or life decisions
Increasing mood swings or mood changes
Increasing anger at the world in general for being unfair
Increasing anger at specific individuals (such as bosses or family members) that you perceive to have held you back or been unsupportive
Withdrawing from work, family, and life in general [7] [7a]
Exhibiting changes in behaviour, especially destructive ones that are listed below…
It is possible to come out of your mid-life crisis better and happier than when you went into it because a mid-life crisis leads to either ‘growth or destruction’. The growth happens when men consider the underlying causes of unhappiness and dissatisfaction, and make careful and thoughtful decisions and plans to change and address those causes.
Unfortunately, you may come out of your mid-life crisis much less happy and satisfied than when you went in if you follow the destruction path. This happens when poor choices and insufficient positive actions result in radical changes such as leaving your family or spending money beyond your means. These destructive choices may feel like they are going to improve your life and your circumstances in the moment, but instead they often destabilize your life and remove carefully built community support systems. [7b] [7c]
Further information on self-care, natural remedies, treatments and therapies that will support you through your mid-life crisis are found here.