Monday, January 31, 2011

Male Menopause and Mid-Life Crisis

For years, many have dismissed the changes that middle-aged men experience both mentally and physically and simply attributed them to mid-life crises. However, we now know these changes are more than just circumstance or because of other extraneous factors, but instead, are largely due to an inevitable decline in male hormones, resulting in andropause, the male equivalent of menopause.
Unfortunately, andropause is often misdiagnosed, or never treated or addressed at all due to the vagueness and wide variety of its symptoms. During the middle-age or mid-life years, most men are settled, have established themselves and have reached a point of stability that instead of being comforting, may cause some to question choices they've made, reevaluating their lives and accomplishments.
This mid-way point through one's life also causes many to think about an end to their youth, growing older, retirement, and their own mortality. Also, during this period of time, parents are aging, or needing our care at the same time our children are growing up and leaving the nest. All of these events and situations that are seemingly causing classic signs of mid-life crisis may actually be directly related to a decrease in hormones such as androgen and testosterone.
Unlike their female counterparts, men are able to reproduce well past andropause, although sperm quality and production may still be seriously affected. Testosterone, necessary for the production of healthy sperm, usually begins to naturally diminish after a man reaches the age of 40.
Symptoms of andropause may surface as early as the mid 30s, or in some men, as late as their 60s, but are most common during the 40s and 50s, and include the following:
- Difficulties with memory, alertness or concentration.
- Decreased muscle tone, weight gain, and an increase in body fat.
- Changes in urinary function or habits.
- Lack of energy or strength, decreased desire for physical activity.
- Mild to moderate depression and or irritability.
- A diminished sex drive coupled with a decrease in sexual function or ability.
- Changes in hair growth or loss, as well as noticeable changes in skin quality.
- Hot flashes, similar to those experienced by female's during menopause.
Treatment for andropause may involve the use of hormone replacement therapy, known as HRT, for men who are experiencing more severe symptoms of the condition. HRT may be useful for improving mood, relieving depression, increasing energy, and reducing anger or irritability. Many men who have received hormone replacement therapy including testosterone also report an increase in their libido as well as a decrease in insomnia or sleep problems.
For most men, a holistic or natural approach such as lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, are usually all that is necessary to control symptoms of andropause. Experts recommend a diet rich with fiber, vitamins and minerals, particularly C, D, E, and zinc, which can be found naturally in foods such as leafy green vegetables, or through supplements.
These small changes not only help to reduce signs of andropause, but also offer many physical benefits for the body in general. A regular exercise program, at least three times per week, helps to reduce stress, increase heart rate and blood circulation, and also boosts the body's natural immune system.

The Truth About Male Menopause

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism that discovered our testosterone levels have been steadily declining at a rate of about 1% a year since the 1980’s.
Put simply, that that means the average 65 year old man living in 2002 has testosterone levels about 15% lower than the same 65 year old man living in 1987. And that news spells trouble for real men everywhere!
Because when you couple their findings with the decline in testosterone levels that occurs naturally with male aging – we’re forced to face a very serious male health condition known as Andropause which literally means “the end of being a man”!
A problem that’s compounded by the fact that as your testosterone levels drop, your estrogen levels rise. So if you’re not doing something now to combat this epidemic by the time your 60 there’s a very good chance you’ll have less testosterone than your wife and more estrogen than your granddaughter.
And along with this devastating form of  Male Menopause come a slew of serious male health concerns that can rob you of everything that makes you a Real Man…
* A Positive Attitude
* Erectile Function
* Healthy Libido and Ejaculatory Power
* Robust Energy Levels and Manly Strength
* Lean Muscle Mass and the Ability to Burn Body Fat
* A Smooth Functioning Prostate and Strong Healthy Bones
Some men even develop female characteristics like breasts, and even worse, recent clinical studies suggest that men with lower testosterone levels are at an increased risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. So there’s an awful lot at stake here!
That’s why in recent year’s testosterone therapy has become one of the most popular alternative treatments for an entire shopping list of men’s health concerns.
But if you’re like me and the idea of a weekly injection of testosterone sends shivers down your spine - fear not there is a natural alternative. And, compared to the cost associated with testosterone injections, they’re practically giving the stuff away!
I’m talking about a natural plant compound called Diindolymethane or DIM for short.
DIM is an all natural plant compound found in all cruciferous vegetables – like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage that helps balance the male/female sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen) in your body.
Here’s how it works – first DIM stimulates your body to more efficiently metabolize estrogen into estrogen metabolites or “good estrogen”.
This results in less free estrogen (bad estrogen) in your blood stream which allows your body to produce robust amounts of testosterone for maximum manliness!
Secondly, DIM helps your body’s metabolism produce the most beneficial mix of your vital sex hormones.
Probably the best method I know of to get or maintain a lean muscular physique, have amazing sex, super charge your immune system, increase your energy levels and improve your mood – at any age!
The only problem is to get the kinds of benefits from DIM that I mentioned above you’d have to consume massive amounts of fresh vegetables every day.
So I highly recommend finding a high end potency supplement that contains DIM – they can be found in most any high end health food store. The one I recommend is called Mandro RX.
Mandro RX not only contains therapeutic amount of DIM but it also has a slew of proven estrogen fighters that’s have been clinically show to reduce the production of estrogen in men and help naturally stimulate their production of testosterone.
Taken regularly this one simple supplement can reverse the feminizing trend plaguing American men today – and get you back to living life like a Real Man again.
But in the mean time, don’t forget to stock up on the broccoli and cauliflower. And make sure you don’t over cook them – and don’t boil them – steaming them is the surest method to keep all their vital nutrients intact.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Male Menopause Symptoms Real or Myth

If you are a male aged between 40 and 45, and suffering from depression, a loss of self-confidence, lack of purpose, irritability, fear or general moodiness, you may just be experiencing the so-called male menopause. It is sometimes known as a mid-life crisis and it can have serious and far-reaching effects; it can also occur at just about any age between 35 and 70. Strictly speaking, men can't have a menopause, as it's defined as the point at which periods stop happening, but the name has stuck.
The male menopause has been considered a myth for some time, but recent research suggests that it is just as real as the female version. There is no doubt that most men in their mid-40s experience some or all of the feelings associated with it. These feelings are often intensified by those dramatic events that tend to occur in middle life, such as the break-up of a marriage, financial concerns, career dissatisfaction or children growing up and leaving home.
Male menopause symptoms may be caused by a deficiency of the androgen hormone (testosterone) that men tend to suffer in mid-life; leading some to call the condition the andropause. It's estimated that by the age of 70, androgen levels in men are only about 10% of what they were during youth. This deficiency leads to one of the symptoms that most concern men during their middle age - a loss of interest in sex, although just getting older can have that effect as well.
Whether all the symptoms of male menopause are caused by this deficiency is still open to debate, although a decrease in testosterone levels also increases the chances of heart disease in a man, as well as increasing the chance of injuries due to decreased bone density. A blood test can determine whether testosterone levels are too low and need to be treated with testosterone replacement.
It's estimated that around half of men in their 50s and almost two thirds of men aged over 60 have at least some of the male menopause symptoms that are more commonly associated with women - night sweats, aching muscles and loss of sex drive. Other male menopause symptoms include irritability, general fatigue, and loss of purpose and a vague feeling of dissatisfaction. Some men become depressed and even suicidal. Some of these male symptoms are fairly similar to those of puberty, causing some to give the condition the nickname of "middlescence".
One problem with the male menopause is that it is something that most men would rather not discuss - especially when it comes to a loss of interest in sex. In fact many men are not even consciously aware of it, despite having some or all of the signs. Some symptoms of male menopause can be treated to some degree, although there is really no sure remedy for the vague feelings of restlessness and dissatisfaction that characterize this type of problems. Perhaps the remedy is simply to accept what is happening to you as a normal sign of aging.

Male Menopause Facts

Male menopause is also called andropause. It is marked by decreasing levels of hormones. The male hormone is Testosterone and acts to make and release sperm. It also is responsible for sparking the sex drive and keeping muscles strong.
Not every man will experience andropause. There is no known reason why this occurs. There is also no known reason why men who do become andropausal, do so. Testosterone levels will likely peak at around the ages of 18-25 in many men. Somewhere in his mid 20's a man's testosterone may begin to drop very slowly. For most men, the levels stay at a healthy level allowing men to potentially become fathers well into their 80's. By the age of 40, some men will see a major drop in hormone levels. Half of all men by the time they turn 50 will experience seriously reduced testosterone that can trigger a number of health issues.
The cause of male menopause is dissimilar to female menopause. For women, estrogen levels drop off and then completely stop. This causes the many symptoms that you may experience during menopause. A man's fertility does not disappear totally. Sperm production continues which allows a man to be able to father children well into their 80's as has already been mentioned.
Andropause creates symptoms for men that are unpleasant and that are very much like those for women with the exception that they are not as severe. The symptoms include the typical hot flashes, night sweats, exhaustion, and body aches. They also will have mood swings, irritability, depression, and listlessness. Your libido may decrease and you may begin to have trouble with having a strong erection and keeping it. Men like women might lose confidence in their ability to enjoy sex. A visit to the doctor can be very beneficial for you.
You, like many men, will not go for treatments because they don't like talking about what's happening to them. Doctors' have not taken male menopausal symptoms very seriously. Symptoms can be difficult to diagnose in men but research studies are changing that.
Treatments for andropause include TRT- testosterone replacement treatments. This helps to raise testosterone levels to a healthy level. Once testosterone levels are at a good level you and many men will likely see less symptoms. Erectile dysfunction may not always benefit from TRT but there are other options.
Men, it will be beneficial for you to understand andropause and your over-all response to symptoms. As with women, your symptoms may fluctuate in intensity. Ladies, if a man you know suspects that he is andropausal, support him and encourage him to talk to his doctor.
Men also will have the option to use natural products including herbal supplements. Herbs that are known to have beneficial effects on male menopause symptoms are used.
A specific amount of each ingredient is blended to become a specific formula. High quality supplements have each of the ingredients tested at the molecular to determine and prove their benefits and how they interact is observed in order to be sure they are compatible. They will also have been made to meet pharmaceutical standards. The herbal ingredients are standardized herbal extracts. All of this helps to guarantee their safety, their efficacy, and potency.
Conclusion
Men do in fact experience their own menopause called andropause. Like the symptoms for women, they can include hot flashes, irritability, and decreased sexual functioning.
Few seek treatment out of embarrassment and because until recently, doctors did not believe male menopause was real. Hormone replacement therapy is possible, though for men it would be testosterone that is being replaced. These treatments come with serious side effects and as a result they seek out natural products such as herbal supplements. They are safer with minimal side effects if any at all.
You should discuss taking supplements with your doctor before purchase because some herbs could influence the performance of prescriptions you may be taking for other issues. Male menopause (andropause) is very real and there is treatment.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Male Menopause Depression

There are many different things that we may have to go through as we get older. When we were younger, our bodies functioned fairly well for the most part and our chemical levels were consistent and healthy. As you get older, however, a drop-off in the hormonal levels of the body may cause a lot of different problems. In females, this tends to come on fairly quickly and is usually described as menopause. Male menopause is also our reality that many men need to face and is a result of a lack of testosterone in the body. Not only can it cause sexual problems, it can also cause male menopause depression.
Of course, there are a lot of different symptoms that accompany male menopause. Some of the most common symptoms include a lack of sexual appetite, decreased testicular size, mental illness and, of course, male menopause depression. There are several different ways in which this type of depression may be treated but first, you need to make sure of what is truly at the root of your menopausal depression. As a matter of fact, it may not be a lack of testosterone at all.
There are plenty of diseases which can mimic these types of symptoms in the body including diabetes and kidney failure. Unless you truly know what is at the root of your particular problem it will be almost impossible to treat it effectively. As a matter of fact, if you don't treat the underlying condition you may only make the condition itself worse. Your doctor will be able to determine why you are experiencing these particular problems. It may be that you are having a problem with testosterone production which is causing this male menopause depression but it may not be menopause based.
Of course, if you are experiencing a lack of testosterone and it is causing you to be depressed there are some ways to fix the condition. One of the first things that you should try is raising the levels of testosterone in your body again. Doctors do this through administering testosterone therapy but this may have some adverse side effects of its own. A good plan of diet, exercise and supplementation can help to build the levels of testosterone back up in your body naturally. Not only will this help you with your male menopause depression, it will help you to be able to feel better naturally.

Is Male Menopause real

We all know that women experience menopause, a time when their menses stop, at some point as they pass age 40. Their female hormone, estrogen, decreases, menstruation ceases, and women start to experience a variety of symptoms, some of them uncomfortable.
Did you know, however, that men actually experience a similar hormone-decreasing event in their lives, about the same ages that women experience theirs? That's right, they do. It isn't really a male menopause though because, obviously, men don't stop having menses - what really happens is their male hormone, testosterone, starts to decline. In fact, 2-4 million American men have low testosterone levels and only about 5% of them are being treated for it!
Some health researchers have referred to this decline in testosterone in men as low T (testosterone)". However, it does share some of the same symptoms with female menopause, i.e., fatigue, depression, weight gain, changes in cognition, sleeplessness and irritability. Sound like fun? No, not much! What can you do about it? Well, first of all, let's make sure you're not contributing to the problem by adding hidden estrogen to your life!
Some Reasons for Hormonal "Change" in Men
In our modern world of convenience foods there lies a culprit that could be creating hormonal havoc for all of men, women, and children, alike. That is, plastic and the xenoestrogens it contains. Plastic water bottles, microwave food containers, milk and juice cartons, just about any kind of food or drink you can imagine is likely available in a plastic container.
Plastic microwave containers are the worst as when they are heated they release these environmental estrogens right into your food! You eat the food and your body absorbs all these added female hormones in your fat cells. In men, these abnormal stores of estrogens in fat cells start unbalancing a man's testosterone levels and can start to give him feminine traits such as enlarged breasts, low sperm count, increased belly fat, and inability to maintain an erection. Our overuse of plastic today may explain the seeming epidemic of men with low testosterone levels.
Other reasons for low T in men are:
Age - men start to experience a natural decline in testosterone levels around the mid 40's through the mid 60's.
Certain illnesses - diabetes, other endocrine disorders like low thyroid.
What Are The Symptoms of Low Testosterone?
Unlike a women's menopause, men really don't stop producing testosterone and sperm as women stop producing estrogen and eggs. More accurately, male testosterone slowly declines over a period of years. Unlike women whose eggs die off in menopause, men still retain sperm and can father a child well into their 90's or older!
I have male patients as young as age 30 come in with symptoms of low testosterone levels, but the majority of my patients with these complaints are men from about age 45 onward. These symptoms include:
• Fatigue
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sleep disturbance (not enough, too much)
• Sweating
• Depression
• Weight gain, especially belly fat and increased breast fat
• Decreased stamina
Treating Low Testosterone in Men
After doing a simple blood test to determine the level of testosterone a man has, if it is found to be too low, there are a few treatment options available. They include:
Testosterone injections - there is concern amongst some health researchers that giving older men testosterone replacement may increase their risk of prostate cancer. However, I think the benefits far outweigh the risk and the National Institute for Cancer backs me up here. They stated that there is no real evidence that higher testosterone levels actually cause prostate cancer.
Natural testosterone boosters - optimal nutrition, diet rich in monounsaturated fats like those found in nuts, olive oil, avocados, good fiber intake (20-25 grams a day), zinc, Vitamin B12, DHEA, high protein, low glycemic index foods all increase testosterone. Limit alcohol; exercise at least 4 times a week.
Testosterone boosting supplements - Supplements like Chrysin reduces estrogen in your body. Maca, a root used by Peruvian Indians for aiding fertility, increases testosterone levels and sperm count. Tribulus terrestris, saw palmetto, gingko, Korean ginseng, Mucuna pruriens and Muira puama are all natural herbal testosterone boosters.
Though many of my older male patients complain of symptoms of decreasing testosterone, "low T" is a very treatable, common condition amongst men. In fact, there are even television "ads" about it! Whether you opt for testosterone injections or try to stay natural in your approach by using diet, exercise, and herbal supplements, there is no reason in today's world for a man to suffer with symptoms of low testosterone.
If you suffer from some of the symptoms noted above, contact your doctor and ask for a testosterone level test. If low, try the natural testosterone boosting tips listed here before you start to consider testosterone injections. I think you'll like how you'll feel and look!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Easy Way to Recognize Male Menopause Symptoms

The existence of andropause is recognized by some of the best researchers in medical science, including the international medical community.
In fact, a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report, states that male androgens progressively decline with age. The study tested androgen levels at age 25 and by age 70, androgen levels were only 10 percent of what they were during youth.
The impact of decreasing androgens is known as andropause, also called male menopause or PADAM; Partial Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male. It is a normal part of aging, although, for some men it is accompanied by a gradual and undesired decline in their sexuality, mood and overall energy. Sometimes it can even expose men to more serious health risks.
As with women, andropause in males begins at a time when life often offers some of its greatest rewards.
What is Andropause?
By the time men are between the ages of 40 and 55, they can experience a phenomenon similar to the female menopause, called andropause. Unlike women, men do not have a clear-cut signpost such as the cessation of menstruation to mark this transition. Both, however, are distinguished by a drop in hormone levels. Estrogen in the female, testosterone in the male. The bodily changes occur very gradually in men and may be accompanied by changes in attitudes and moods, fatigue, a loss of energy, sex drive and physical agility.
What's more, studies show that this decline in testosterone can actually put one at risk for other health problems like heart disease and weak bones. Since all this happens at a time of life when many men begin to question their values, accomplishments and direction in life, it's often difficult to realize that the changes occurring are related to more than just external conditions.
A gradual hormonal decline unlike menopause, which generally occurs in women during their mid-forties to mid-fifties, men's "transition" may be much more gradual and expand over many decades. Attitude, psychological stress, alcohol, injuries or surgery, medications, obesity and infections can contribute to its onset.
Although with age, a decline in testosterone levels will occur in virtually all men, there is no way of predicting who will experience andropausal symptoms of sufficient severity to seek medical help. Neither is it predictable at what age symptoms will occur in a particular individual. Each man's symptoms may be also different.
Is this a new phenomenon? Yes and no. In fact, andropause was first described in medical literature in the 1940's. So it's not really new. But, our ability to diagnose it properly is. Sensitive tests for bioavailable testosterone weren't available until recently, so andropause has gone through a long period where it was underdiagnosed and undertreated. Now that men are living longer, there is heightened interest in andropause and this will help to advance our approach to this important life stage which was identified so long ago.
Increased diagnostic capability Another reason why andropause has been underdiagnosed over the years is that symptoms can be vague and can vary a lot among individuals. Some men find it difficult to admit that there's even a problem. And often physicians didn't always think of low-testosterone levels as a possible culprit. So these factors often led doctors to conclude that symptoms were related to other medical conditions (i.e. depression) or were simply related to aging and often encouraged their patients to accept that "they were no longer spring chickens".
This situation is changing. New blood testing methods are available and there is an increased interest in mens' aging among medical researchers. So much attention is being focused on andropause that major efforts are underway to quickly share emerging scientific information with the international medical community.
Causes
Starting at about age 30, testosterone levels drop by about 10 percent every decade. At the same time, another factor in the body called Sex Binding Hormone Globulin, or SHBG, is increasing. SHBG traps much of the testosterone that is still circulating and makes it unavailable to exert its effects in the body's tissues. What's left over does the beneficial work and is known as "bioavailable" testosterone.
Andropause is associated with low (bioavailable) testosterone levels. Every man experiences a decline of bioavailable testosterone but some men's levels dip lower than others. And when this happens these men can experience andropausal symptoms.
These symptoms can impact their quality of life and may expose them to other, longer-term risks of low-testosterone. It is estimated that 30 percent of men in their 50s will have testosterone levels low enough to be causing symptoms or putting them at risk.
Bioavailable testosterone declines with age
Importance of Testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone that has a unique effect on a man's total body. Testosterone is produced in the testes and in the adrenal glands. It is to males what estrogen is to females.
Testosterone helps to build protein and is essential for normal sexual behavior and producing erections. It also affects many metabolic activities such as production of blood cells in the bone marrow, bone formation, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, liver function and prostate gland growth.
Why is testosterone so important?
Andropause is often underdiagnosed because symptoms can be vague and can vary a lot among individuals. Some men find it difficult to admit that there's even a problem. And often physicians didn't always think of low-testosterone levels as a possible culprit.
So these factors often lead doctors to conclude that symptoms were related to other medical conditions (i.e. depression) or were simply related to aging and often encouraged their patients to accept that "they were no longer spring chickens".
But this situation is changing. New blood testing methods are available and there is increased interest in mens' aging among medical researchers. In fact, so much attention is being focused on andropause that major efforts are underway to quickly share emerging scientific information with physicians worldwide.
Impact of Low Testosterone
When there is less testosterone available to do its work, the testosterone target-organ response decreases, bringing about many changes.
There is great variability in testosterone levels among healthy men so not all will experience the same changes to the same extent. But typical responses to low bioavailable testosterone levels include:
* Low sex drive
* Emotional, psychological and behavioral changes
* Decreased muscle mass
* Loss of muscle strength
* Increased upper and central body fat
* Osteoporosis or weak bones and back pain
* Cardiovascular risk
Why should andropause be taken seriously? Apart from the impact that andropause may have on your quality of life, there are other longer-term and silent effects of andropause that are harder to track: increased cardiovascular risk and osteoporosis.
In a healthy individual, bone tissue is constantly being broken down and rebuilt. In an individual with osteoporosis, more bone tissue is lost than is regenerated. We've all heard of women suffering from weaker bones, or osteoporosis, after menopause. In men, testosterone is thought to play a role in helping to maintain this balance. Between the ages of 40 and 70 years, male bone density falls by up to 15 percent.
Unfortunately, with advancing age and declining testosterone levels, men, like women, seem to demonstrate a similar pattern of risk for osteoporosis. What's more, approximately one in eight men over age 50 actually have osteoporosis.
The incidence of hip fractures rises exponentially in aging men, as it does in women, starting about 5 to 10 years later. In Canada, 20-30 percent of osteoporotic fractures occur in men. The incidence of fractures has been increasing in men, whereas it seems to be stabilizing in women - likely due to their lifestyle changes, calcium supplements and hormone replacement therapies (HRT).
Low bone density puts one at risk of frequent fractures, associated pain, and in many cases, loss of independence. Wrists, hips, spine and ribs are most commonly affected.
Two important consequences of osteoporosis are often seen as a slow but progressive rounding of the shoulders as well as a loss of height and back pain. Particularly devastating seem to be hip fractures, up to one third of patients never seem to regain full mobility.
It is now well accepted that women's risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) increases after menopause. Estrogen replacement therapy seems to reverse this trend.
New evidence suggests that a similar phenomenon occurs in men as their testosterone levels diminish with age. While research is not as complete as for women, the clinical findings point to an association between low-testosterone levels and an increase in cardiovascular risk factors in men.
*A cause and effect relationship has not yet been established in large clinical trials. Further clinical research is needed into this important area of study.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
In many instances, testosterone replacement in men with andropause can be highly effective and beneficial. It's not for every man, of course, even those who show symptoms may have other health problems at the root of it all. Still you should discuss with your doctor if you would be a good candidate for testosterone replacement therapy.
What should I expect from testosterone replacement? In various clinical studies, very good responses to testosterone have been reported for men with low-testosterone and they include:
* Improvement in mood and sense of well-being
* Increased mental and physical energy
* Decreased anger, irritability, sadness, tiredness, nervousness
* Improved quality of sleep
* Improved libido and sexual performance
* An increase in lean body mass, a decline in fat mass
* An increase in muscle strength (hand grip, upper and lower extremities)
* Potentially, a decrease in the risk of heart disease
With testosterone therapy, one's attitude improves, reinforcing self-esteem and self-confidence at work, as well as an increased energy at home and in social activities. Most men will feel more vigorous, experience improved energy levels, mood, concentration, cognition, libido, sexual performance and an overall sense of well-being. These effects are usually noted within 3 to 6 weeks.
Other potential benefits include maintenance or improvement in bone density, improved body composition, muscle mass and muscle strength, as well as improvement in visual-spatial skills.
Lifestyle
Of course, any ongoing strategy to reduce the symptoms and risks of andropause should incorporate lifestyle approaches such as optimal diet, regular exercise, stress-management and the reduction of tobacco and alcohol intake.
Understanding Risks
There are several conditions in which you should never use testosterone replacement therapy. These include:
* Breast cancer (in males)
* Prostate cancer
In some other cases testosterone replacement therapy may not be right for you. If one of the conditions below is applicable to you, your doctor will decide whether (in your specific case) testosterone replacement therapy is the right solution.
* Liver disease
* Heart or blood vessel disease
* Edema (swelling of face, hands, feet, or lower legs)
* Enlarged prostate
* Kidney disease
* Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)
To help your doctor determine your best treatment plan, you should also discuss the following:
* If you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to androgens or anabolic steroids.
* If you are an adult male who plans to have children; high doses of androgens may cause infertility.
* If you are bedridden.
* If you are now taking any other prescription or nonprescription (OTC) medicine, especially anticoagulants (blood thinners).

The Truth Behind Male Menopause

Although the thought of a man going through menopause seems not only unlikely, but simply impossible, more and more researchers are claiming the male menopause and its symptoms do in fact exist.
Just like in women, men can experience a drop in hormone levels, although this usually happens earlier in men than in women. In fact, it is said that the "middle age crisis" a man is going through may be due to male menopause symptoms. All in all it is a good idea to know a little about the possibility of males dealing with menopause symptoms.
You may be a little more familiar with this disease when it is called by a more popular term; andropause. This term is basically a way of describing the same thing as menopause, but it is designed to let men keep their own identity and vice-versa.
Like women estrogen levels decline to create the cycle of menopause, men is testosterone levels decline to create the same condition. Men also do not end to naturally lose testosterone, but declining levels usually are brought on by things like depression, stress, lethargy and obesity. Menopause in men is not necessarily the same thing as menopause in women, because men never lose fertility as women do.
Mans Experienced The Same Symptoms
Many of the symptoms experienced by women during menopause are the same as what men may experience. However, male menopause symptoms tend to be a lot less dramatic than symptoms shown in women.
Hot flashes are common and tend to happen while being active. The feeling of heat quickly flushes through the body, creating sweat and redness in the face, and an overwhelming feeling of being cooked. These symptoms can be controlled by making sure big, soft ice packs are available as often as possible.
Another common male menopause symptom is night sweats. Waking up in the middle of the night to sweating and being uncomfortable and hot is something else that can be controlled by using ice packs when necessary. Taking naps during the day when possible is another good idea so that lethargy does not become a problem.
Depression and mood swings are symptoms of male menopause that people mistake for as a "mid life crisis". In fact, it is a crisis to many people but being able to acknowledge these mood swings and depressed feelings is the first step in controlling these male menopause symptoms. Seeing a therapist and making sure to stay clear of alcohol are good ways of overcoming these symptoms.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Some facts about menopause

It used to be thought that only women experienced the menopause, usually around the age of forty or more when the menstrual cycle stops taking place and pregnancy is no longer possible. All manner of emotions are felt during this time as the hormone levels of the female body drop and this is often known to bring on depression, hot flushes, irritability and quite extreme mood swings.
These days, however, it would appear that men also go through a similar situation. This is referred to as the male menopause or the andropause and it happens when men reach between forty five and sixty years of age as production of testosterone, the male hormone decreases. This does not, however, prevent the male from continuing to have children.
The idea of the existence of the male menopause has exposed the myth about men being ageless as far as sexual activity is concerned. In fact, unlike women who tend to experience mid life crises during the menopause, many men seem to adapt the attitude that life is just beginning. This is the reason that the male menopause has raised so many controversial issues both socially and within the medical field too.
So what are the true facts of the male menopause? Is the male menopause real or simply a way of getting even? What symptoms are likely to be experienced if the condition is genuine and which outside elements contribute to the condition? Most importantly, can it be treated? The answers to the above-mentioned questions along with clarifications of some of the controversial issues connected to this phenomenon can be found by reading on through this article.
The Male Menopause - Reality or Fairy Tale?
It is fair to say that the male menopause does, in fact, exist. Nonetheless, the degree of intensity by which it affects men is not the same as women. The symptoms detailed below are experienced at varying levels from hardly noticeable to quite extreme.
Symptoms
Many of the physical and psychological symptoms experienced are similar to those felt by women during their menopause. Hot flushes, loss of strength and endurance, irritability, lethargy, mood swings, libido reduction and erectile dysfunction, along with insomnia and a loss of bone and body mass are just some of the issues which may arise in men between forty and sixty years of age going through the male menopause.
How to Cope with the Male Menopause
It's really no easier coping with the male menopause than it is the female menopause but finding new ways to alleviate stress, say by massage, yoga or taking up and new sport or hobby will certainly improve matters. It's also advisable to eat a balanced diet trying to reduce your alcohol and caffeine intake, take regular exercise and get plenty of quality sleep as these things will all help you to cope with the menopause a little easier.
Menopause Treatment
TRT or to give it its full name, Testosterone Replacement Therapy is often an effective method of treating symptoms such as tiredness, depression and a reduced libido. However, there are potential side effects with TRT, for example, a risk of prostate cancer so a full and thorough medical check up should take place prior to opting for this kind of treatment.
Many men have to face the reality of going through the male menopause, but remember, if you are unlucky enough to be one of those who suffer with intense symptoms, there is no need for despair as there are several things you can do to help you get through this difficult time.

Symptoms and treatment of menopause

Male menopause (or Andropause,) is a condition of gradual changes in hormone status. Male menopause afflicts some men between the ages of 40 and 60 of age. The hormone imbalance has the biggest impact on testosterone and cortisol (the stress hormone).
So as men age, they become experience a range of andropause symptoms that are the same symptoms that women experience in menopause. But menopause in women represents a well-defined period in which hormone production stops completely. Testosterone decline in male menopause is a slower process. Many psychological signs can manifest as a result of experiencing the various physiological male menopause symptoms.
Andropause Symptoms These male menopause symptoms include:
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Muscle Loss
  • Decrease in libido or Sex Drive
  • Mood changes, Irritability, Fatigue Sleep Apnea, Depression
  • Weight Gain * Urinary Problems
  • Hot Flashes in Men
  • Gynecomastia (male breasts)
  • Hair Loss
The imbalance of even one hormone causes imbalance in other hormones. Men may not experience all of the above symptoms of andropause, but instead commonly experience a combination of symptoms. While these symptoms are signs of andropause, they may also be symptoms of other conditions like adrenal fatigue and poor thyroid health.
Male menopause symptoms relief Contrary to popular opinions, none of the listed andropause symptoms manifest signs of old age. These male menopause symptoms may reduce through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy which is also called as androgen replacement therapy. This method is a lifelong treatment, since testosterone deficiency is generally a permanent condition. But, as with hormone replacement therapy in women, testosterone replacement therapy does have some potential risks and side effects. For example, some resources found that replacing testosterone may cause prostate cancer and increase the risk of heart diseases.
Natural male menopause solutions Alternative to hormone replacement therapy are natural ways. It is possible to manage testosterone levels naturally. The following three options constitute a good, safe way to start.
Exercise
Researches reported that regular exercise at least twice per week can increase muscle strength by more than 30 percent, while also boosting bone density, speeding up metabolism and pushing up production of testosterone and other sex hormones.
Nutrition
To reduce male menopause symptoms diet should contains enough good carbohydrates, protein and good fat. Studies found that protein helps maintain lean muscle mass. Lack of carbohydrates can lead to decreased serotonin levels and consequently, irritability. It also takes a certain amount of fat to keep testosterone production at healthy levels. Some studies show that alcohol decreases testosterone levels.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Male Menopause

Male menopause is not something out of a fiction book. Low levels of testosterone results in a lot of changes in your body as well as behavior. Andropause or Male Menopause are the terms that are used to describe this medical condition that is associated with a drop in your Testosterone levels.
More and more men are now experiencing a drop in their T-levels. It seems to be an increasing trend. It is known that almost 15 mill men over the age of 30 in US alone have low testosterone levels and what is disturbing is that they are not even aware of this.
One of the most common sign of low testosterone levels is a drop in libido or sex drive. Often men wonder, why they lose their interest in sex. Sex is something that they almost always found exciting. However, things take a downward trend with age and there are times when you do not even feel like talking of sex. Not just this, it is also extremely common for men to experience erectile dysfunction and the main reasons behind this can be a drop in your testosterone levels.
Sudden weight gain and a belly bulge, reduced stamina and energy, loss of lean muscles, depression and mood swings are other effects of low T-levels.
If you have been experiencing some or all of the above, its time to consider low testosterone treatment.

Testosterone is a hormone whose production in your body can be increased naturally. A healthy and active lifestyle can play a major role in ensuring optimum testosterone production in your body. Regular and intense workouts, adequate diet, proper sleep and rest, reduced stress etc., are some of the key factors that can help boost your testosterone levels.

Such supplements pack in the most effective testosterone boosting herbs and other nutrients that stimulate leydig cells in your testes to produce more testosterone  to overcome male menopause.
The best part is that such supplements do not have any side effects. They are 100% natural and do not require a prescription. They can ensure a whole body makeover for men so that you get back your raging libido and rock solid erections. Not just this, such supplements can also make you get a more fit, muscular and leaner body with reduced fat and increased muscle.