At the time of menopause in women, there is a relatively abrupt and complete loss of ovarian function that results in markedly reduced estradiol and progesterone productions and the cessations of ovulation. This profound reduction in ovarian functions has substantial physiological consequences. Including accelerated loss of bone mass, and osteoporosis, hot flushes with accompanying sleep and behavior changes, vaginal atrophy, and loss of fertility. In contrast to women, fertility in men persists unt il a very old age and they experience a gradual and incomplete loss of testicular function. The existence of a variety of symptoms, impotence being the main one, has caused some to compare them to menopause and have termed these symptoms in men "andropau se." however, there is no conclusive empirical evidence that the majority of men undergo a hormonal "change of life" equivalent to that found in women. Perhaps the correct term of these symptoms is "mid-life crisis."

JOURNAL ARTICLES

• Featherstone, M., & Hepworth, M. (1985). The male menopause: Lifestyles and sexuality. Maturitas (MWN), 7, (3), 235-246.

There is no conclusive empirical evidence that the majority of men undergo a hormonal "change of life" equivalent to that of women. A significant number do experience psychological and social difficulties at some point in middle age.

• Krause, W. (1994). The male characteristic: A responsibility for dermatologic andrology? Hautarzt, 45, (9), 593-598.

Sexual impotence is considered to be the main symptom of the male climacteric. Although sexual dysfunction increases with advancing age, partly because of drug interactions, there is no sound basis for assuming an endocrine basis for the male climactic.

• Matsumoto, A. M. (1993). "Andropause:" Are reduced androgen levels in aging men physiologically important? Western Journal of Medicine, 159, (5), 618-620.

Men experience a more gradual and incomplete loss of testicular function with increasing age. Other factor may also contribute to age related male fertility, such a s loss of interest in fathering children and diminished sexual function (diminished libid o and erectile function), reduced activity, nutritional deficiency, meditations, etc.

• Parker, G. (1985). The search for intimacy in mid-life: An exploration of several myths. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 19, (4), 362-371.

A review of the mid-life phase, with component features of solitude, detachment and self-doubt, its search for self and reattachement, and outcomes of reapproachment and chronic depression.

• Vermeulen, A., & Kaufman, J. M. (1995). Aging of the hypothalamo-pituitary-testicular axis in men. Hormone Research, 43, (1-3), 25-28.

Makes the distinction between the course of reproductive aging in women and men. Androgen replacement for men remain controversial.