S11 · E17: Her Pause, His Pause with Dr. Lisa Brent, Drew Sinatra, and Jenn Trepeck | Essential Ingredients

Menopause and andropause hit men and women in midlife. Learn the real symptoms, why old habits stop working, and how to talk to your partner.

Menopause and Andropause: A Midlife Guide for Couples

Menopause and andropause are two sides of the same midlife shift, yet only one gets much attention. Women compare notes, often late at night by text. Men mostly stay quiet. That silence leaves people feeling like something is wrong with them, when the real cause is that their hormones are changing.

This guide covers what happens to men and women in midlife, which symptoms to watch for, and how to raise the subject with a partner.

What Andropause Really Means for Men

The word “andropause” is a bit misleading. Men don’t lose testosterone overnight. Levels begin to decline gradually, often starting in the 30s, and symptoms typically don’t appear until the 50s or 60s. Plenty of men never have them.

When symptoms do show up, they tend to look like this: fatigue, less muscle strength, poorer endurance at the gym, irritability, low mood, and less motivation. Some men also notice libido changes or erectile difficulties, and a sense of being less connected to their partners and kids.

The next step is simple. A doctor runs labs to find out whether testosterone is actually low. One physician describes men who start testosterone replacement therapy as typically reporting more energy, better lifting, a lifted mood, and stronger connections a couple of months later. Testosterone is only one part of the picture, though. The bigger goal is feeling better in your body, mind, and relationships.

Why Women Hear “You Are Not Broken” in Midlife

For women, the clearest sign of change is that routines that once worked stop working. Sleep slips, energy drops, the body shifts, and cravings change. Few people were ever taught about nutrition, hormones, or midlife itself.

Hormone replacement therapy is one option some women choose. One woman who switched from birth control to hormone therapy described two rocky weeks, then steady improvement, helped by a doctor she could reach quickly. She still has the occasional hot flash. Her point: with the right support, the process can feel manageable.

How to Talk About Menopause and Andropause With a Partner

Neither one is an illness, and nothing needs to be “cured.” Giving the experience a name helps, because a name gives you a plan and reminds you that many others in your age group are going through the same thing.

If you’re worried about someone you love, be curious rather than pushy. Mention it once, then let them decide when to act. People change when they’re ready.

Menopause and andropause don’t have to be a private struggle. Both are human, both are common, and support is available for each.

Don't miss M Is For More: An Essential Ingredients Table—join us live on November 13, 2026, at 4:00 PM at LUMA Fitness in Petaluma! Reserve your spot and get your tickets here.

Want to hear the full conversation? Listen to the episode here: https://tinyurl.com/Essential-Ingredients-Podcast

Meet Lisa:

Dr. Lisa Brent is a licensed naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist specializing in women's health. With a commitment to holistic and patient-centered care, she integrates primary care training with expertise in lifestyle medicine, nutrition, bioidentical hormone therapy, and gut health. Dr. Brent is dedicated to empowering her patients through education, individualized wellness strategies, and compassionate support. She is the founder of Be Well Natural Medicine, hosts educational events such as the Women’s Health Symposium, and provides care both in-person and via telehealth.

Meet Drew:

As a California- and Idaho-licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in Integrative Medicine, Dr. Drew Sinatra helps people investigate the “why” behind an illness or symptom – providing the best of natural and conventional therapies to re-establish vitality lost to chronic stress and illness.

Through his concierge-like medical practice, with its exceptional care and support, he empowers people to become the CEO of their health and wellbeing.

Meet Jenn:

Jenn Trepeck is a health and lifestyle coach, host of the award-winning podcast, Salad with a Side of Fries, and author of Uncomplicating Wellness.

After years of dealing with food issues made worse by the diet industry, Jenn changed direction. Now she helps women feel seen instead of judged in a wellness world that’s gone off the rails.

Connect with NextGen Purpose:

Chapters:

01:46 Meet Dr. Lisa Brent: Midlife Health for Women and Men
02:54 Is Andropause Real? Testosterone Decline Explained
04:56 Low Testosterone Symptoms in a 55-Year-Old Man
05:41 You Are Not Broken: Why Old Midlife Habits Stop Working
07:48 Menopause and Andropause Are Not Illnesses
08:23 Testosterone Replacement Therapy: What Changes for Men
09:16 Talking to Your Partner About Hormones Without Pushing
10:46 Why Midlife Health Is a Human Issue, Not a Gender One

Events

M Is For More: An Essential Ingredients Table

When: November 13, 2026; 4pm-7pm

Where: LUMA FITNESS, 270 Petaluma Boulevard North
Petaluma, CA 94952

Get Your Tickets here

Podcast

Inspirational Quotes:

03:53 “Testosterone begins to decline technically in the 30s, but we don't really see symptoms show up in men typically till their 50s or 60s.” —Drew Sinatra

06:03 “For women, you are not broken. The things that worked before aren't going to work now because biochemically, it's not the same.” —Jenn Trepeck

07:42 “Men— you go through hormone changes too. It is called andropause. It is real.” —Jenn Trepeck

07:55 “Menopause and andropause; these are not illnesses— there's nothing to be cured.” —Dr. Lisa Brent

10:05 “You can feel better in your 40s and 50s compared to your 30s. There are so many different things you can do for yourself. I'm all about health optimization. It's helping you feel better in your body, in your mind, and in your relationships in your life. There's just so much you can do. Testosterone is literally 5% of that.” —Drew Sinatra

10:43 “It isn't going to work for women because we're not just small men.” —Jenn Trepeck

11:08 “ Menopause and andropause isn't a woman's issue or a man's issue. It's a human one, and it's happening to both of you at the same time.” —Justine Reichman

Her Pause, His Pause with Dr. Lisa Brent, Drew Sinatra, and Jenn Trepeck