"Andropause is like death by hormones in the workplace. It kills productivity, it kills relationships, and it kills enthusiasm."
That usually cheerful guy in accounting has suddenly become impatient and moody. Co-workers grumble about the change but may not realize what's behind it: He is going through andropause - the male version of menopause.
Hitting men between the ages of 40 and 55, when their testosterone levels begin to decline, andropause can cause many of the symptoms menopausal women complain about: mood swings, extreme fatigue, temporary bouts of forgetfulness and yes, hot flashes.
"Andropause is like death by hormones in the workplace," says Dr. Lawrence Komer, a physician and medical director of Masters Men's Clinic in Burlington, Ont. "It kills productivity, it kills relationships, and it kills enthusiasm."
Employers can help men cope with andropause at work by educating everyone in the office about it, says Dr. Michael Greenspan, urologist and assistant clinical professor at Ontario's McMaster University. Knowing about it also can help managers and co-workers understand that a middle-aged male employee who has suddenly become irritable and unproductive may need medical help.
Go to the full story in the Toronto Globe & Mail (via cal-osha.com)
