Male menopause is real, and it has a name: Andropause. The name is taken from the Greek, andro (male), and pauses (stop), for the midlife retreat of the androgens, DHEA and in particular, testosterone – the key player in male hormonal health and balance.

Andropause is about aging, and declining hormones go with the territory.

The most potent force underlying mental and physical energy in men, the testosterone drive, takes a major blow as total hormone output slows down. The testes produce nearly 95% of all male testosterone; the balance is supplied by the adrenal glands.

By the time the average man enters into his mid to late 40s, testosterone deficits (about 40% from peak levels) are impacting stamina, brain power and sex drive. By the time he’s 50, the signal to “make more testosterone” has grown weaker and aging tests are less likely to respond. As total hormone supplies slide, the growing shortage strikes at the core of the virility, stamina and drive we associate with the male of the species.

Hormone imbalances common to andropause can add to the total decline. For example, an excess of estrogen increases SHBG proteins that bind-up available testosterone. SHBG prevents “bioavailable” testosterone to get out of the blood and into the cells to do its job.

Estrogen is not for females only; male bodies need it too, in smaller amounts, to regulate brain and sexual functions. In andropause, estrogen can overtake (waning) testosterone to complicate symptoms and raise the risk of prostate cancer. Restoring natural hormone balance can reverse this profile.

Hormone imbalances can also activate an enzyme in fat cells that changes testosterone into estrogen. An excess of cortisol (stress hormones), zaps the sex drive, inhibits testosterone/DHEA, breaks down bone and muscle, and blocks thyroid function.

The first thing a man usually notices as his hormones taper off is a subtle downward shift in strength and energy. He may lose his enthusiasm for the things he used to enjoy, the challenge of work, competition, and exercise. Fatigue may set in more quickly, and the only desirable bedroom activity is a good night’s sleep. Here are symptoms that signal a hormone imbalance:

* Depressed	* Anxious	* Nervous
* Apathyl	* Decreased libido	* Decreased stamina
* Erectile dysfunction	* Prostate problems	* Decreased urinary flow
* Premature aging	* Increased urinary urge	* Hot flashes
* Night sweats	* Thinning/sagging skin	* Mood swings
* Stress	* Abdominal fat	* Decreased strength
* Thinning hair	* Decreased muscle mass	* Bone loss
* Memory lapsesr	* Decreased mental acuity	* Irrtable
* Decreased beard	* Reduced exercise capacity	* Sugar cravings

Blood spot or saliva hormone testing can confirm andropause symptoms. Blood spot tests are used to determine total testosterone (T), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and adult growth hormone deficiency (IGF-1). A prostate screening (PSA) test is also part of this testing series. Saliva is tested for testosterone/DHEA (S), estrogen (estradiol), progesterone, and cortisol (am/pm). Blood and saliva tests provide a reliable index of andropause status.

If the tests indicate an imbalance, work with a doctor to monitor hormone levels. If you need to supplement, request “bio-identical” natural hormones that are familiar to the body.

Reduce the amount of caffeine, alcohol, and sugars in your diet since they rob the body of testosterone. Counteract chronic stress with exercise, and boost testosterone with weight-bearing workouts. Eat organic, hormone-free foods and vitamins/minerals with adequate zinc. Go to bed earlier.

And, make time for fun and relaxation.

As normal aging puts the brakes on androgen action, male hormones start to dwindle by about one to two percent a year. But the speed of decline and whether we age well, or prematurely, has a lot to do with lifestyle.

The bottom line is balance. Take steps to restore and maintain it, and the zest for living rebounds.

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South River Compounding Pharmacy
Southside: 2300 Robious Station Circle, Midlothian, VA 23113
West End: 3656 Mayland Court, Richmond, VA 23233
Serving the Greater Richmond, Virginia area, including Chesterfield, VA, Hanover, Henrico, Powhatan