Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Link Between Male Menopause and Depression

Although it is not widely discussed, male menopause is a real problem for many men. Approximately 40% of men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s suffer from some form of male menopause. Male depression associated with male menopause can be difficult to diagnosis. First of all, the symptoms of depression resulting from male menopause are different from the symptoms of traditional depression. Also, a large percentage of men are reluctant to discuss their feelings, fearing that they will be looked down upon or ridiculed.
Just like women, men experience a phase similar to female menopause. As men age, the levels of hormones produced by a man's body gradually declines. This can have a serious impact on the male's body, emotional state, and sexual behavior.
Men suffering from male depression tend to be irritable, defensive, and angry. They also can be restless and agitated, consumed with self-doubt. Unlike regular depression, they do not sleep too much. Instead, they sleep too little, making their irritability more intensified. They may also be suspicious of others and believe that their situation would be improved if other people would only care about them more.
Another problem associated with male menopause and depression is sexual dysfunction. If a man is having problems with his self-confidence and self-worth, sexual impotence can result in more negative feelings. While this can be an easily corrected problem, many men do not seek medical help. In general, men are very reluctant to discuss sexual impotence with their doctor. This reluctance only prolongs the situation, creating a cycle of depression.
If this depression goes untreated, it can lead to serious consequences. Studies have shown that the suicide rate for men at midlife is three times higher than the national norm. For men 65 or older, the suicide rate is seven times higher than the national norm.
As you can see, it is vital that men feeling the symptoms of male depression seek immediate medical help. Be advised that it can take a very long time to receive a diagnosis of male depression, but in the meantime, you will get help with your symptoms. If you make an appointment to talk with your doctor and find your doctor is dismissive, make an appointment to see another doctor.
Depression resulting from male menopause is a very real and serious medical condition that can be treated successfully. All it takes is the right doctor and persistence.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Do you think Male Menopause Symptoms Exist

There have been jokes about it for years - that the "men" in menopause means that it really does apply to men. People are usually kidding when they talk about a man going through the "change of life," but it is not a joke. It is not an urban legend or myth. Those male menopause symptoms that you think you are seeing in your husband, or your father, or your brother - that really is what they are. That is right, guys go through it too, but do not go expecting them to say so. Unfortunately, there is a female stigma attached to the whole idea of menopause. It is however becoming more widely recognized, that men do indeed go through a change of their own. One of the things that may make it easier to talk about if you are a man and you are going through this, is simply to understand it.
First of all, it may make you more comfortable to know that the term andropause is frequently a substitute for "male menopause." Really, when you think about it, it is natural that both genders go through this. After all, man or woman, we all get older, our bodies get older, and certain changes are bound to happen. In this case, during andropause, your body starts producing less testosterone - maybe. You see, unlike it is for women, not all guys will experience a male menopause. Why? No one is really sure. All that is really known is that the lower levels of testosterone bring it on in some men. That is not really a surprise. Testosterone is your primary hormone. Without it, you would not be able to produce sperm, you would not have any urge to procreate - a very ingrained trait - and you would not be nearly as strong as you are. So the reduction of this hormone affects you in much the same way women are affected when their bodies begin producing less estrogen. Andropause can begin when you are in your twenties, making your testosterone gradually lessen.
Fundamentally, we do not really understand why or how male menopause occurs. However, certain things can happen in your life which will trigger it to start. These are mostly health related problems, some of them physical and some of them mental. Certain illness and depression can trigger andropause. Dementia can also act as a catalysts. Health problems that somehow affect testosterone on their own can play a part in male menopause as well. Cardiovascular disease, autoimmune deficiencies, and cancer are some of the most notable of these.
There are a lot of similarities and differences between what women go through and what men do when they experience menopause. The similarities exist because, in both cases, the act is related to hormones, and so produces primarily hormonal responses. The differences lie in the fact that women and men are, of course, quite different. The main difference is that women cannot have children any longer after menopause. On the other hand, a man will always retain some level of fertility. That is how men in their eights have gone on to father children.
Still and all, the symptoms of male menopause are very similar to female symptoms. The difference is that men experience them on a lesser level. Commonly, men going through andropause are just as prone to hot flashes and night sweats. Insomnia coupled with fatigue are extremely common, even expected, as are sore muscles and joints, lack of motivation, and mood swings.
For different reasons, men going through menopause are also affected sexually. Although they may indeed notice a lack of interest, the primary problem is more likely to be physical. That is, menopause men can have erectile problems.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Early Signs of Male Menopause

Ladies, the so-called mid-life crisis that many men experience is not our imagination and neither is it theirs. As has been suspected some, but not all, men will suffer male menopause. If you know someone who may be in male menopause understanding it may help you to help them. It is also important that you encourage the men in your life that may have symptoms, to discuss them with their doctor.
About Male Menopause
Male menopause is also called andropause. In men hormone levels are at the peak somewhere between 15 and 19. When men reach their late 20's testosterone levels begin to slowly decrease but normally stay within healthy limits. In his 40's or 50's up to half the men who suffer andropause will report uncomfortable symptoms. This helps to support a healthy sex drive, the generation and production of sperm. This can allow a man to father children well into his eighties.
All women at some point in time will go through menopause which is the cessation of fertility and menstrual cycles. Not all men will go through andropause. It is not known why andropause affects the men it does affect.
Causes of Male Menopause
In some men menopause/andropause will occur naturally. In other men there can be underlying triggers. Illness can affect hormone levels. Depression, dementia, and obesity can also be triggers of andropause. Heart and lung diseases and autoimmune disease may go through andropause. A physical and tests run by your doctor can help determine if a man is in andropause or suffering with another health condition.
Early Signs of Male Menopause
Male menopausal symptoms are very similar to female menopause but much less intense.
Have you noticed a man or men in your life being a bit more forgetful, irritable, or exhibit a low energy level? These symptoms could be early signs of male menopause.
Male symptoms can include hot flashes and night sweats. Fatigue, joint pains, and muscle aches are also possible. On the emotional side men can have mood swings, become more irritable, and experience depression. They may appear to lose interest in sex or have difficulty with weak erections. They could feel like they no longer enjoy sex.
Many men don't like talking about their symptoms but should be encouraged to do so with the doctor at the onset of these symptoms to rule out other health conditions with similar symptoms.
Treatments of Male Menopause
It is also true that for treating early signs/symptoms of male menopause, hormone replacement therapy is the traditional choice of treatment. Testosterone replacement can reduce the symptoms for men. Erectile dysfunction treatments can also help to reduce treatments.
Men as well as women can choose natural treatments such as herbal supplementation.
The herbs should be tested at the molecular level to determine their metabolic paths and the interactions of the ingredients should also be examined. Only standardized herbal extracts should be used with no fillers or preservatives. When they are being made they should be made to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. This helps to guarantee the consumer consistent dosing and consistent quality from capsule to capsule. As always do not add herbal supplements to your regime without letting your know about it. Some herbs may affect how any prescriptions you may be taking.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Menopause and Men's Sexual Dysfunction

Are you a male who is over 40 years of age? Are you having difficulty in controlling urine? What of the lack of desire for sex, are you unable to sustain an erect penis when it is most needed? You are not alone. Out of every 1,000 men, there are 350 who cannot satisfy their women sexually because they just are not attracted or cannot complete the game!
Knowing how much power and a feeling of good health that good sex brings to a man and woman, you know that all must be done to prevent or reverse male sexual dysfunction. You need to know the facts before you decide on what to do.
What is male menopause: this refers to changes in the androgen or sex hormone levels in a man of older age, usually more than 40 years of age that results in changes in sexual performance. It can also delay and occur at the age of 65 years.
Is every man likely to have male menopause: Yes, the chances are as good as 95% that at some stage in life, that is if you long enough beyond 40 years, you would get the menopause and related sexual dysfunction.
Can one prevent it? Not really prevention, rather it would be to delay it. There are a number of things or action that you can take to delay the hormonal imbalance.
  • Eat well: avoid junk foods and eat more of homemade farm foods. These would supply you with the appropriate amino acids and vitamins required for production of the sex hormones such as testosterone well into the old age.
  • Exercise: sex if high energy activity. You therefore have to keep the body in a good shape to defer the onset of the male sexual dysfunction in menopause.
  • Spice up your sex life: going out for nights in camps and other unique places would spur the desire for sex.
  • Treat diseases or manage them appropriately: illnesses such as diabetes are known to reduce libido in men if not managed properly.
  • See a medical doctor: speak about your sexual problem to your physician. If there is a medical condition it can be reversed. Also visiting sex therapists can help, they know something that you do not know.

Is Male Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe

The male hormone replacement industry has been hit hard recently by continued scandal in professional sports. For companies that specialize in treating low testosterone and other male hormone deficiencies, having continued bad publicity in the media have made many men question what type of association they want to have with companies that provide hormone replacement therapy services. Leaders in this industry have been answering customer calls about the safety of hormone treatment programs for years.
For purposes of this article treating men with hormone replacement therapy will be reserved to treating the cause of symptoms of andropause, also called male menopause. Below are symptoms commonly associated with andropause:
- Depression
- Sweating and hot flashes
- Decreased male sex drive and erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Poor concentration and memory
- Muscle and joint aches
- Mood swings
If you believe you have andropause, you can confirm the potential diagnosis with a blood test.
For years the public has been aware of a menopause in women. It has only been in recent time the term "andropause" is beginning to get the full attention it deserves. The most common cause of andropause is low testosterone levels, which can be easily diagnosed with a blood test. Other symptoms of andropause are similar to a women's menopause, which is a reason why andropause is sometimes called "male menopause."
There are a lot of sources for treating the symptoms of andropause and among untrained professionals that do not work with andropause patients on a daily basis, they can at times, do more harm than good. It is very important that you find a qualified physician.
OTC (over the counter) remedies tend to be ineffective for men who are showing symptoms.
Your Family Doctor can Misdiagnose Andropause Symptoms:
It seems counterintuitive that your family doctor can do more harm than good, but it is true when it comes to diagnosing and treating the symptoms of andropause. He may try to treat your symptoms individually such as a prescription for erectile dysfunction, e.g, Viagra and another prescription for depression rather than correcting the cause -- hormone deficiency such as testosterone and thyroid. Treating the cause will correct the symptoms .
Treat Andropause with Male Hormone Therapy:
Treating andropause with male hormone replacement therapy is safe when diagnosed properly and monitored regularly. Testosterone replacement in the form of testosterone creams and testosterone supplements is a safe method to treat the low testosterone deficiencies that are the source of andropause. Other treatments may include, thyroid, HGH (human growth hormone), an estrogen blocker and other supplements that are appropriate to your individualized plan.
What to look for in a Male Hormone Replacement Therapy Provider:
1. Look for a male hormone replacement therapy program that is tailored to your specific and individualized needs.
2. Ensure your hormone program is under the supervision of a physician that is trained in hormone deficiencies in men.
3. Monitoring of your hormone levels. The original test for andropause should only be the first in a series of tests. You will want to have your blood tested periodically to ensure the current program is optimized for your individual needs.
4. Experience. Be sure the entity with whom you work has a solid track record. If they are trying to sell you hormones -- be careful. If they are telling you what they do and how it relates to you needs in an informational frame work -- be hopeful and encouraged.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Overcoming Male Menopause With Natural Supplements

In our society, mid life crisis has been thought to be a rite of passage for most men for quite some time. When a man reaches his middle years, he may start thinking about his younger days in a wistful manner. Moodiness, a change in his usual behavior patterns, and symptoms of depression may be exhibited, and he may just appear to not be himself. Mid life crisis is probably a label that not accurately define what men are experiencing at this time of their lives. The symptoms are really more serious than "mid life crisis" suggests. Are you aware of the term male menopause ? Many men who have heard of male menopause will sneer at the very thought of this possibility, even more so if they think someone is referring to them, regardless of the reality of the situation. This article discusses the reasons people disregard it, the important reasons for taking it seriously, and how supplementing your diet with human growth hormone supplements, such as Provacyl, can be beneficial.
Many men think that the very thought of experiencing male menopause is somewhat emasculating. All things considered, this is reasonable. Men do not menstruate, yet the definition of menopause is "cessation of menstruation," something that doesn't apply here. They don't menstruate. So, something that never started cannot end. The term "andropause", which refers to the hormone androgen, is a much more accurate term for this phenomenon. This hormone is very important in males and females.
The kind of menopause that women experience is very similar to andropause in men. As males and females are essentially very dissimilar, they will experience the process quite differently. However, the number of comparable symptoms may surprise you. As mentioned before, mood swings have been observed in andopausal men, as with menopausal women, which is why the phenomenon has often been misinterpreted as a mid life crisis. An increase in weight is commonly symptomatic; middle aged men experience andropause, and the rate of metabolism slows, as the pituitary gland reduces its production of human growth hormone. A noticeable lack of energy occurs that affects daily activities and those performed in the privacy of the bedroom. The risk of depression, insomnia, which is very common, and problems with concentration are all symptomatic.
For quite some time, women have had different hormone replacement therapies available to them for minimizing or eliminating the symptoms of menopause. The was little or no treatment protocol available to andropausal men, because, andropause was not recognized as an issue of any consequence until recently. Currently, there is an assortment of supplements containing human growth hormones, which can behave similar to estrogen supplementation in menopausal females. Human growth hormone supplements, such as Provacyl, provide stimulus to the pituitary gland. This stimulates it to naturally produce more human growth hormone. Human growth hormone is present in all humans. We produce less HGH as we age, and this is reflected in the symptoms experienced in menopause and in andropause. The symptoms are reversed when HGH production increases through treatment with supplements such as Provacyl.
Andropausal men who take Provacyl for treatment of their symptoms, find that they have significantly more energy... for all sorts of activities Their metabolic rate increases, making it easier to build muscle and lose weight than before treatment. They will also have more stable temperaments and feel calmer and more relaxed.

What You Can Do About Male Menopause

For the people that are reading that title and think that it doesn't exist, you are actually wrong. Male menopause is real, and it is called Andropause. It happens around middle age, just as it does with women, and it has many of the same symptoms that female menopause has. This includes weight gain, hormonal changes, low energy, fatigue, emotional changes, and lack of sex drive.
The difference between menopause and andropause is that for men their testosterone levels decrease over time and not all of a sudden like women. It may start at around age 30 and continue until they have little sex drive and a lot of fatigue. This is what men usually notice because they are used to having a high sex drive. Instead of thinking that it is just age and you have to get used to it, it is time to do something about it.
You do not have to resign yourself to living a life without sex and testosterone levels. You should first consult your doctor to see if your levels of testosterone are extremely low. Depending on what they say you may be prescribed testosterone replacement therapy to raise the levels and get you to feeling like you used to. Although it does help to raise the testosterone, it comes at a price. You can have side effects such as acne, sleep problems, prostate growth, as well as other things. You may want to consider something more natural that can accomplish the same thing. Natural supplements are available that work with your body and not against it.
There is a hormonal balance supplement which is herbal so that it nourishes and supports the reproductive system. It brings back your sexual function and gives you back your libido. It also helps to enhance your sex life by giving you more pleasure and higher sensations of feeling during sex. It has worked for a long time to bring out a product that works well to make you feel young again. It is considered one of the best herbal supplements on the market.
Along with that you may want to consider another product that helps other aspects of your life as well. With a human growth hormone as well, such as an HGH replacement supplement, you can help to produce more testosterone which helps you feel more youthful, as well as giving you higher energy levels, and even more sexual benefits. It is a master hormone of sorts that can help you sleep better, exercise more, feel better, and even think better. Within the first month of taking it you may even notice you have lost weight and become much more fit then before.
All in all, when you are trying to get out of the stage of menopause you have to do something about it. Don't let this stage of your life bring about a lack of self confidence or depression. Just as women can do something about their menopause, men can also feel instant relief by taking herbal products of their own.