Click on the topic below to read about Male Menopause which is better known as Men's Health.

Male Menopause Men's-Health

  

Male "Menopause" - the Alternative anti-Aging Approach 

write_ads(3,1)diggit();LinkToThis?()  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.