Male Menopause aka Andropause

 ANDROPAUSE

Andropause is the gradual decline of the production of androgens, the male sex hormones testosterone and DHEA. In women going through menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels fall dramatically over the course of a few years. Andropause is a much slower decline in hormone levels that typically begins around age 40 and continues for several decades. A recent study by the WHO (World Health Organization), which tested men’s testosterone levels at age 25 and then at age 70, found that these men’s testosterone levels decreased by 90%.

So, you're probably seeing a lot of commercials about "Low T"......  Here's some need-to-know info.

 

TESTOSTERONE ~Made primarily by the testes ~Controls development and maintenance of sex characteristics in males ~Governs sperm production ~Maintains muscle mass and strength ~Keeps fat tissue levels low ~Influences neurons in the brain that are involved with aggression and libido  ~Females produce a small amount       SYMPTOMS OF ANDROPAUSE BONE LOSS, BACK PAIN DECREASED MUSCLE STRENGTH DECREASE ENDURANCE DECREASE URINE FLOW DEPRESSION, IRRITABILITY, MOODINESS DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING, INSOMNIA WEIGHT GAIN AROUND THE WAIST ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION HIGH CHOLESTEROL HOT FLASHES LOW LIBIDO INCREASED RISK FOR CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS INCREASED RISK FOR BREAST CANCER

 DHEA

~Made primarily by the adrenal glands

~Precursor hormone-made into other sex hormones

~Most abundant hormone in the body

 

~Often men need both Testosterone and DHEA to feel better and get back to an active life.

 

Other Hormones

ESTROGENS

Men make a small amount of estrogen, too. During andropause, an additional problem occurs as the testosterone level declines—Estrogen Dominance. Since hormones act to balance one another, when androgen levels are low, estrogen becomes the dominant hormone.  This can result in manoobies.  (man boobs) 

 

PROGESTERONE

Some men also need progesterone therapy. Progesterone is another sex hormone that has receptors on every cell in the body. It is responsible for balancing estrogen levels (of which men make a small amount). It also reduces the risk for prostate cancer by decreasing the conversion of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a potent derivative that has been linked to a high risk of prostate cancer.

 

ADRENAL HORMONE IMBALANCE

The adrenal glands secrete hormones that help the body deal with stress. If exposed to highly stressful situations for an extended period of time, the adrenal glands may not be able to mount an effective stress response. This can cause an abnormally low level of cortisol and DHEA.    This can be evaluated and treated.  Often adrenal hormones are included in customized therapies for our male patients.

 

THYROID HORMONE IMBALANCE

Thyroid hormones act to control metabolism, protein synthesis, and the proper development of all the cells in the body. For this reason, hyperthyroidism (high levels of thyroid hormone) and hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone) affect every cell in the body. Imbalances in the thyroid hormones cause imbalances in other hormones.