MEN and women go through “couplepause” together as symptoms strike both at the same time, experts say.
Hormone changes spark the menopause for women in their 40s and 50s.
Dr Emmanuele Jannini of the Tor Vergata University of Rome explained how changes in middle-age can affect the sexual health of both members of a coupleGetty
And many men in middle or old age experience a drop in testosterone that some experts call the “andropause”.
Both can lead to problems in bed, low mood, tiredness, insomnia and weight gain.
Scientists now claim symptoms of “the change” can pass from one partner to the other.
Dr Emmanuele Jannini, of the Tor Vergata University of Rome, said: “Physical, psychological and relationship changes faced at middle-age and beyond can affect the sexual health of both members of a couple.
“Sexual problems in one partner may in turn worsen the other’s sexual health.”
The male menopause tends to strike men during their late 40s and early 50s, experts say
For example, he said a woman may not bother to get treatment for pain during sex if her lover does not seek treatment to solve his erectile dysfunction.
Stress or frustration in one partner may also upset the other, he added.
Dr Jannini also said calling it “couplepause” has been controversial.
The NHS has described the terms andropause and male menopause “unhelpful”.
What are the symptoms of menopause
Common physical symptoms of menopause and perimenopause include:
hot flushes, when you have sudden feelings of hot or cold in your face, neck and chest which can make you dizzy
difficulty sleeping, which may be a result of night sweats and make you feel tired and irritable during the day
palpitations, when your heartbeats suddenly become more noticeable
headaches and migraines that are worse than usual
muscle aches and joint pains
changed body shape and weight gain
skin changes including dry and itchy skin
reduced sex drive
vaginal dryness and pain, itching or discomfort during sex
recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Source: The NHS
It says: “This label is misleading because it suggests the symptoms are the result of a sudden drop in testosterone in middle age, similar to what occurs in the female menopause.
“This is not true.”