Introducing Professor Barry O’Reilly, one of the distinguished recipients of our Men of the Year 2024 award — a special honour to be celebrated at the Most Stylish Celebration hosted by Hi Style on 23rd November 2024.
As Clinical Director and Founder of aNuMe, a wellness and aesthetics clinic in Cork, Professor O’Reilly brings decades of experience in obstetrics, gynaecology, and pelvic floor dysfunction, with a patient-centred approach focusing on informed choice and individual care.
In this exclusive interview, Professor O’Reilly addresses the often-overlooked issue of male menopause, the need for greater awareness, and how workplaces can better support men experiencing hormonal changes.
Understanding ‘Manopause’: What It Is and Why It’s Overlooked
Just as women experience oestrogen depletion with age, men will undergo testosterone decline. However, the symptoms of these hormonal changes vary among individuals, and not all men or women may experience them.
In Ireland, male menopause — or andropause — is not widely discussed, unlike in the United States where it has been recognised and extensively discussed for over 15 years, as Professor O’Reilly highlights.
“I think this is an Irish society thing — while Irish men are very sociable, e.g., sporting occasions and ‘going for a pint,’ they are not so good at talking about health issues (physical, sexual, and mental), their relationship or sex life, and how they feel with their partner or friends. I think by Irish society acknowledging ‘manopause’, it could start a whole new discussion and allow men to open up more”.
Male menopause lacks a physical indicator like the end of menstruation does for female menopause, making it harder to identify. What is known is that testosterone levels decrease gradually, with men losing approximately 1% of their testosterone annually beginning at the age of 40.
Interestingly, the symptoms are similar to those experienced by female menopause and include weight gain, increasing abdominal fat (the “middle age spread”), tiredness and lethargy, low libido, insomnia or poor sleep, mood swings, depression, reduction in bone density, and, particularly for men, reduced muscle mass, hair loss, and erectile dysfunction.
The Impact on Mental Health
Professor O’Reilly highlights that work pressures, family dynamics, and bereavement are external factors that can worsen the effects of ‘manopause’ on mental health.
“Men are often at the peak of their working lives by the age of 50, and there is often a feeling of ‘is this it?’—a sense of downward slide to retirement, compounded by fear of being overtaken in the workplace by a younger generation”.
He points out that the societal expectation for men to stay strong and silent often leaves them without adequate support.
“We need to start the discussion. It is not unrelated, in my view, that Ireland has one of the highest rates of male suicide.”
Supporting Men Through Hormonal Changes
With the increased focus on employee wellbeing, Professor O’Reilly stresses the importance of addressing ‘manopause’ in the workplace.
“Employers have really embraced the issue of female menopause, and this has been a phenomenally progressive move. I think it’s timely that a similar focus is put on men’s health as they age.”
He recommends that workplaces recognise the issue and collaborate with specialised clinics such as aNuMe Medical Clinic to offer tailored support.
At aNuMe Medical Clinic, a specialist men’s health service run by Consultant Urologist Dr Paula Manzi provides bespoke blood investigations to diagnose ‘manopause’ and determine appropriate treatment.
“Testosterone replacement therapy is vital, and it’s very important that it’s medically supervised by an expert in men’s health,” he highlights.
In addition to hormone therapy, aNuMe offers a range of treatments such as intravenous therapies, NAD injections to boost energy and sleep, and aesthetic treatments that help men age better.
Professor O’Reilly also underlines how important lifestyle decisions are for addressing ‘manopause’ symptoms. “Exercise, nutrition, and stress management are all very important factors that underpin any strategy for healthy ageing.”
Encouraging Men to Speak Up
For men who are apprehensive about discussing their hormonal issues, Professor O’Reilly urges them to seek help:
“We, as a society, and thought leaders, especially in the healthcare profession, have a responsibility to get the conversation started so that men can openly discuss the challenges of ageing with their partner and friends—it’s ok to talk!”
