Male “Menopause” – The Alternative Anti-Aging Approach

If you are a male over the age of 40 and are suffering from weakness, impotence, pain, stiffness, drooping muscles, depression, anxiety, or heat intolerance, you may be experiencing “andropause”.

Andropause is a syndrome resulting from the deficiency of hormones, especially testosterone. It’s onset and symptoms may not be as dramatic as female “menopause”, but its effects can be just as serious. It is interesting that hormone replacement is quite routine in women but barely even addressed in men. The decline in hormone levels in both sexes has an adverse impact on one’s state of health. Starting around age 25, DHEA and testosterone levels begin a progressive downward trend. With falling hormones, it is much harder to maintain muscle mass. Things begin to sag and fat begins to form increasingly thick layers around the lower back and abdomen. Stamina is affected and exercise intolerance occurs. Osteoporosis is well-documented in women and occurs in men as well. This can result in hip and vertebral compression fractures. Wrinkles that carve deep crevices in the face are partially due to testosterone deficiency. Libido is reduced and even impotence may develop. These changes are all a result of male “menopause”.

Hormone replacement has been available for women for decades and the positive results continue to multiply. In Anti-Aging medicine, it is expected that maintenance of hormone levels in the youthful range (that of a 25-30 year old) will provide substantial health benefit. Proper monitoring of hormone replacement is a relatively recent innovation that makes this therapy much safer. We can now insure proper dosages in the accepted normal physiologic range. Cancer risk is greatly reduced by this refined approach to replacement therapy.

The decline in testosterone occurs as a result of multiple causes and treatment should be directed accordingly. Aromatase (an enzyme that converts Testosterone into Estradiol) increases as we gain years. This increases raises the free estrogens and lowers the free Testosterone. Prostate cancer is correlated with high circulating estrogens. Aromatase inhibitors, such as chrysin, nettle extract, and Arimidex can inhibit aromatse. Testicular atrophy leads to decreased testosterone production. A course of treatment with HCG stimulates testicular development and can boost Testosterone production. A complete vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant supplement plus a proper diet help to correct nutritional deficiencies. DHEA and possible melatonin replacement also serve as alternatives and as adjuncts to testosterone therapy. A diet that includes a large amount of legumes, especially soy, is helpful in providing the necessary building blocks for our bodies to manufacture hormones. Maintaining cholesterol in the normal range (not to high or to low) is also critical for hormone synthesis. Testosterone replacement can be accomplished by the use of creams, pills or even injection. It is best if the physiologic patterns natural to the body are mimicked, which makes injection less favorable. Creams containing natural testosterone are well absorbed through the skin, bypass metabolism by the liver, and are easy to apply, thus making them superior to pills. The potential risks of testosterone administration include increases in red cell mass, worsening of sleep apnea, changes in plasma lipid levels, and fluid retention. There is some concern that testosterone replacement might exacerbate benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). There is no change in PSA with testosterone therapy. You are not a candidate for this replacement therapy if you have an active testicular or prostate cancer. Finally, testosterone supplementation may produce adverse side effects if administered to men with normal levels, hence the importance of monitoring.

With proper replacement, you can expect to regain muscle mass, increase bone density, increase stamina, increase libido, reduce your risk for a variety of cancers and Alzheimer’s disease, and live an improved quality of life.

www.bodylogicmd.com Andropause or the male menopause results from a decline in hormones in men. In women, the decline drastic, but for men it is gradual. Men do not just wake up one day with an entire host of symptoms; it happens slowly over time as testosterone levels, for one, diminish and other hormone levels, like estrogen, increase. Although most men attribute their symptoms to aging and a midlife crisis or believing that something must just be wrong with them personally, there is a solution. The male menopause or andropause does in fact exist and affects men as early as 35. Beyond manopause, hormones in men can reach imbalance with thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue and more. Hormone imbalance affects many men.
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Male Menopause – What is Andropause

Andropause is a stage in man’s life when there is a noticeable declination in his hormones. This usually occurs at the late 40′s or early 50′s. The declination of hormonal production extends until the eighties. During this period, physical, emotional, psychological and behavioral manifestations due to declination of hormones become more visible.

Dr. Robert S. Tan, a renowned geriatrician conducted a study about male andropause which he compacted in his book “The Andropause Mystery: Unraveling Truths about the Male Menopause”. The book deals with the physical changes and psychological challenges met by andropausal men. It serves as an eye opener on how to treat such a dilemma.

Andropause symptoms vary from one person to another. It is generally affected by the health condition. However, in the study of Dr. Robert Tan, some men between fifty to seventy years old reported the following symptoms: erectile dysfunction, tiredness, sudden mood sways, night sweats and occasional palpitations.

Aside from the physical changes, psychological changes that challenged their masculinity are augmented during the andropausal years. A man, no matter what age he is, tends to struggle to prove his strong sexuality, composed emotions, intellectual mind, supreme courage, good productivity, and strong personality, character and behavior.

But what happens when he’s in the andropausal years?

The testosterone level of a young man at the age of 15-30 is 1000ng/dl. When he reaches the andopausal stage, an alarming drop of up to 800ng/dl causes the many predicaments in his life.

Dr R. Tan observed that the decrease of testosterone makes andropausal men likely to be more in touch with their feminine side. They become more involved in domestic issues which they use to ignore. They are more attentive to their roles at home such as cooking, house keeping and bonding with their children. They devote much time now for the family and pleasure rather than their business roles. In a sense, the decrease of testosterone level makes them gentler and more domesticated.

On the mental side, judgment becomes less sharp than they used to be during a man’s early age. He loses his accuracy and sharp mind. On some cases, there are reports of impaired memory which can lead to dementia.

The andropausal years can be directed to the question of courage. Men who are in this condition has the tendency to become more conservative and less of a risk taker. Fear can easily stun them. While some men fear death, most andropausal men fear to be too dependent.

The next attack hits the pride of being productive. As a common knowledge, men ought to be dynamic, to be noticed for his achievements and efforts. The source of man’s happiness can be rooted on being the firm foundation of the family. When he reaches the andropausal period, he feels his inability to support his family as well as to manage complex business.

Personality is not a constant thing. Especially for men who are in their andropausal years, they are more susceptible to trimming down their being impulsive, hyperactive and ambitious. Through the passing of time, male menopause has begun to be accepted as part of aging.

But with the help of medical science, there are useful strategies formulated to cope up with the changes brought about by andropause. Careful supervision of a trained physician is though advisable.

How To Beat Male Menopause

When a man reaches the age of 45, he started to worry of the next stage-death. Subsequently, his fear of being the next in line among his friends or relatives who had passed away drives him to do some silly things. And his tendency is to find more exciting things to venture on, just so he could hide the inactiveness and hormonal changes he’s feeling inside.

That stage in man’s life is called male menopause or andropause in medical terms.

Loss of vitality and fluctuation of virility level are the primary symptoms of andropause. This is due to the changes in production of the male sex hormones. In most cases, this predicament occurs at the age of 45 up to 55. But before the occurrence of andropause, there comes the mid-life crisis.

Dr. Malcolm Carruthers, the author of the book Maximizing Manhood: Beating male menopause explained the difference and occurrence of mid-life crisis and andropause.

These two distinct stages among males are often confused as one. In its real essence, these two are linked with each other since mid-life crisis happens between 35-45 years old right before the andropause period.

However, andropause comes early depending on how bad a man reacts to his mid-life crisis. Or, that it could be delayed if he had sustained a healthy and active lifestyle before this period.

Other signs of andropause include the abnormal drop of energy level, becoming more irritable, loss of sex drives and depression. Although some would consider these instances normal due to aging, you can still do something to overcome these effects. In medicine, andropause had grown to be a problem rather than a stage in life. For this reason, medical science has formulated solutions to this crisis.

Testosterone replacement therapy is formulated to relieve the symptoms of andropause among men. TRT comes in capsule, cream, implant or hormone patch forms. There are also claims for the efficiency of pills that contain male hormones and which can also relieve the symptoms of andropause. For those where neither of these works, pellet implant is also advisable. Testosterone pellets are implanted under the skin of the buttocks. The choice of which depends on how your body reacts to it. See which will work for you best.

The crisis in man’s life called andropause is neither inherited nor natural for all men. Unlike that inevitable period among women called menopause, andropause can be beaten.

According to Carruther’s study, there are external factors affecting the declination of testosterone level. Commonly, men living a healthy lifestyle decline in testosterone level by 1% yearly when he reaches the age of 40 to 70. This decrease of testosterone is more manifested among the unhealthy men.

Another factor which triggers the symptoms is stress. Both psychological and physical stresses which resorted to too much alcohol and cigarette consumption had aggravated the symptoms.

In most cases, effects of malnutrition or nutritional deficiency are accounted to andropause. Symptoms such as anxiety, loss of memory and low sex drive could be due to aging or deficiency of chromium.

So examining it closely, not all men could suffer the effects of andropause. Such crisis is a big insult to a male body. And staying healthy, especially as you age, is a powerful weapon to overcome male menopause.

The Science Behind Male Menopause

Once a man is in his mid-forties, he will eventually start to be concerned on the next stage of life, which is death. As a result, his apprehension of being next among those he knew who have passed away will eventually lead to several symptoms of which is often times referred to as “mid-life crisis”. This particular phase in a man’s life is called male menopause or medically known as “andropause”.

Loss of energy and fluctuation of man’s virility level are just some of the most notable indicator of andropause. This is because of the alteration of the production of male sex hormones. Generally, this problem occurs to a man during the age of 45 up to 55.

Actually, andropause are two distinct stages that occur among males and are most of the time considered as one. As a matter of fact, mid-life crisis and andropause are associated with each other because mid-life crisis occurs to men between the ages of 35-45 years, which is before the andropause phase.

On the other hand, andropause may occur early depending on the person will respond to his mid-life crisis; and may also be delayed if that particular person maintains a healthy and active lifestyle.

Another symptom of andropause is the irregular loss of vitality. Meaning that particular person may be more irritable, significant loss of sex drives and the most notable is depression. Though most people consider these occurrences as normally caused by aging. In the field of medicine, andropause had become a disorder rather than a normal phase in a man’s life. That is why medical science is constantly finding ways to solve this problem.

The predicament that usually occurs in a man’s life called andropause is not inherited nor is it natural to all men. That is because, unlike menopause – a predicament that occurs on women on the same of the same age — andropause can be avoided and treated.

Stress is also one of the major factors that trigger andropause. Psychological stress and physical stress can lead to too much alcohol intake in the body and cigarette consumption. They can greatly aggravate the symptoms of andropause.

Usually, the result of malnutrition or nutritional deficiency of the man’s body can lead to andropause. Symptoms such as nervousness, memory loss and low sex drive could be attributed to normal aging or shortage of chromium.

However, not all men can experience the effects of andropause. Such crisis is considered by some as an insult to a male body. That is why, having a healthy lifestyle is the main weapon in order to avoid or minimize the effects of male menopause.

Read more on the truth about male menopause here Truth About Male Menopause

www.bodylogicmd.com Andropause or the male menopause results from a decline in hormones in men. In women, the decline drastic, but for men it is gradual. Men do not just wake up one day with an entire host of symptoms; it happens slowly over time as testosterone levels, for one, diminish and other hormone levels, like estrogen, increase. Although most men attribute their symptoms to aging and a midlife crisis or believing that something must just be wrong with them personally, there is a solution. The male menopause or andropause does in fact exist and affects men as early as 35. Beyond manopause, hormones in men can reach imbalance with thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue and more. Hormone imbalance affects many men.

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How To Handle Male Menopause and Depression

Men are considered tough. At a young age they were taught how to wear masks. Emotions, especially feelings, which denotes weakness does not have any room in a man’s life. Men in effect tend to deny what they truly feel. Studies show that men are more susceptible to depression since negative emotions are suppressed.

Depression is an emotional disorder. An individual who is said to be depressed begins to experience prolonged sadness, time and again anxiety, inability to concentrate, unexplainable anger and low self-esteem.

The occurrence of depression varies. Some people experience it as a form of reaction to uneventful situations in their lives. Others feel depressed as a response to excessive smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and taking drugs. Depression can also be inevitable when an individual undergoes chemical and hormonal changes in the body.

Male menopause or known as andropause to some, is a condition in which a man undergo changes – be it may be physical, emotional, or to some extent spiritual. If a male individual reacts negatively towards andropause, then he is prone to experience depression.

Boys don’t cry, is a cliche. It is high time that men do what is necessary to fight depression caused by male menopause phenomenon.

Acknowledgement is a key to acceptance. Male individuals should acknowledge that they too like their female counterpart also experience menopause.

Education then leads to better understanding. After accepting the fact that you have male menopause then it is best to educate yourself with the said condition. Learn what the signs and symptoms are, then the diagnosis and treatments. It is also best if you undertake research for facts and issues concerning andropause. The Internet is a good venue to learn more about male menopause and depression. There are also online organizations which you can turn to to help you with your dilemma.

Better understanding is a bridge for you to project a positive attitude. Negative emotions block your sensibility for you to have better comprehension of what is happening in your body. Depression usually roots to suppress negative emotions. It is not asked from you to portray a happy face yet you are miserable deep inside. What is being asked from you is that you have to learn how to deal with the situation. Make no room for self-pity for it will only worsen the situation.

Do something about it. After you have taken the necessary steps then move forward to getting help. Primarily, get help from your significant others. This is the time when their unconditional support and love is needed. Explain to them what you are going through. Let them know what specific help you need, if there are.

You can seek assistance from a physician who has expertise in andropause and depression. He can point out the changes that might happen to you and further prescribe you on what you should do.

Support groups may also be helpful. If there are support groups in your community, then it is best to join them so that you will feel that you are not alone in your battle.

No man should allow depression to rule his life. Male menopause is never a reason for you to wallow in depression. After all, look at the brighter side of things, andropause welcomes you to a new phase in your life a phase where you can put down your mask and reveal your true self.

Male menopause really does exist
New York, July 8 : Menopause is not limited to women, it hits men too, a new study has found.
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How To Treat Male Menopause

Male menopause or Andropause is a less discussed topics of discussion especially amongst the male population.A man’s manhood is often associated with his ability to perform well in the bedroom. Menopause in males are caused by the gradual decline in serum testosterone levels starting at the age of 40.It is a type of hormonal changes wherein the testosterone levels of a man depletes.

Once a man’s production of testosterone level goes down, it will bring significant change to a man’s life. Depending on how a male individual will react to the situation, it may be an advantage or a disadvantage for him.Here are some of the ways to manage male menopause :

Healthy Lifestyle

Studies has shown that in order for you to combat the symptoms of andropause, you need to establish a healthy lifestyle. By doing so, you can relieve some of male menopause symptoms. By choosing the food you eat, you are most likely be avoiding emotional exhaustion. Foods which contain too much caffeine can heighten nervousness and being nervous is one symptom which you should prevent.

Regular Exercise

Regular exercise should also be taken into account since during andropause stage sudden weight gain will be experienced. Additionally, studies show that exercise helps an individual achieve a more stable emotion.

Herbal Treatment

You may try herbs as a form of treatment on male menopause. There were clinical studies conducted in Europe which confirms success on andropause treatments with the use of herbs.Helpful herbs are saw palmetto, avena sativa, eurycoma longifolia and tribulus terrestris.

Medical Treatment

Minor medical treatment includes intake of capsules and inhalation of lozenges which are common oral treatments to stabilize the testosterone level. Other male individuals have the option to go with testosterone injections since users find it effective. Another preference to even out the levels of testosterone is through the use of transdermal patches which are placed on the skin. Furthermore, a natural testosterone gel may be also be used. Some individuals who have used the gel testified to its effectiveness.

There are medical treatments appropriate for achieving the average amount of testosterone level. Testosterone replacement therapy is an alternative treatment to combat andropause wherein blood tests are being carried out to determine the amount of testosterone needed for it to normalize.

The type of treatment that you will follow depends on your personal preference and how responsible you are in undertaking the treatment option you have decided. However, it is best to discuss your desired treatment options with your physician since having too much of testosterone level is unhealthy.

If you want to overcome male menopause, you need to start with yourself. Acknowledge that you have and do what must be done to continue living the normal and happy life you once have.

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