Association between andropause symptoms and work functioning impairment: a cross-sectional study in two Japanese companies

The study aimed to assess the relationship between andropause, or male menopause, and work functioning in aging Japanese male workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 561 male employees from two Japanese companies. We measured andropause symptoms using the Aging Male's Symptoms (AMS) scale, and work functioning impairment using the Work Functioning Impairment Scale (WFun). The data were analyzed using Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate the relationship between andropause severity and work functioning impairment. The findings indicated a significant association between severe symptoms of andropause and increased work functioning impairment among male workers. Higher AMS scores, reflecting more severe symptoms, correlated with greater work functioning impairment, particularly with regard to physical and psychological health issues, such as muscle weakness and depressive symptoms. This study highlights the need for workplace health programs that include middle-aged and older male workers to address and manage symptoms of andropause. Further, it emphasizes the importance of recognizing andropause as a significant health issue that can adversely affect work performance and productivity. Future studies should incorporate the measurement of testosterone to ensure the more accurate assessment of andropause and its impact on work functioning.