Male menopause is a real phenomenon that can have a profound impact on relationships, yet is rarely discussed. It’s been linked to marital dissatisfaction, depression, anger, anxiety, reduced quality of life, and even divorce. In this article, we will explore the connection between male menopause and divorce more closely.
What Is Male Menopause?
Male menopause—also known as Andropause—is a natural transition in which testosterone levels gradually decrease in older men. This transition typically takes place between the ages of 45 and 55.
While it doesn’t share all of the same symptoms as female menopause (hot flashes aren’t a problem!), male menopause can still bring about significant changes in mood, energy levels, libido, sleep patterns, concentration levels, and overall sense of wellbeing. As you can imagine, these changes can have a serious impact on relationships.
How Does Male Menopause Affect Divorce Rates?
Studies conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan found that couples who were married for at least 20 years had an 85% chance of divorcing if one partner was experiencing male menopause symptoms.
In comparison to couples without any reported symptoms of male menopause (who had only a 7% chance of divorcing), this represents an increase in risk factor by almost 12 times! Other research has also found that when one partner experiences male menopause symptoms such as depression or irritability, it increases marital dissatisfaction among both partners—which ultimately increases their risk for divorce.
What Can Be Done?
It’s important to recognize that male menopause isn’t something you should just accept as part of aging—there are steps you can take to manage its effects on your relationship with your partner.
Some potential solutions include lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and stress reduction techniques; seeking professional help if necessary; maintaining open communication with your partner; exploring different coping strategies together; taking testosterone supplements; or even taking advantage of couples counseling services to help strengthen your relationship during this difficult time.
Conclusion: Male menopause is a real phenomenon that shouldn’t be ignored—especially when it comes to marriage and divorce rates. The good news is that there are ways to manage its effects on relationships so that couples don’t have to face unnecessary strain or dissolution due to this natural transition in life. If you or someone you know is going through male menopause or experiencing marital issues as a result of it, there are solutions available—so don’t hesitate to seek help!
