Unlike the precipitous loss of estrogen that women hitting menopause face, the gradual loss of testosterone may take years to exert its full effect on men. As a result andropause has been neglected as an actual medical condition. To make matters worse, historically men’s notorious dislike to medical care especially when it comes to changes in sexual desire and performance have prevented andropause from receiving the attention it properly deserve. This is further complicated by the fact that sex hormone binding globulin (a specific type of blood protein that bind and carries testosterone) continues to rise each year preventing testosterone entrance into the peripheral tissues and therefore reducing its activity in the body.
When reproductive sex hormones decline; muscle loss, decreased cognitive function, decreased bone density, increased coronary artery disease risk and myocardial infarction risk all increase While all men experience a decline in testosterone production as the y age, some men experience a slower decline. Often, the level of physical activity and fitness, as well as healthy dietary habits, may minimize the severity of the symptoms associated with the condition.
Andropause (Low testosterone) symptoms
Fatigue, loss of a sense of well being — 82%
Joint aches and stiffness of hands — 60%
Hot flashes, sleep disturbances — 50%
Depression — 70%
Irritability and anger — 60%
Reduced libido — 80%
Weaker erections and orgasms
Higher risk of heart disease
Reduced potency — 80%
Premature aging
Weight gain
Changes in hair growth and skin quality
Intimacy problems, such as trying to establish closer relationships with family members
Hot flashes, which occur only in approximately 1 in 10 men experiencing andropause
Osteoporosis (weakening or loss of bone mass)
Hair loss in armpits and genital area
The Testosterone Estrogen connection
Aromatase is an enzyme that is responsible for a key step in the biosynthesis of estrogen from testosterone. Aromatase is partially responsible for lowered levels of testosterone in aging men. Aromatization of testosterone into estrogen occurs mainly in the fat stores of the body. Therefore as we age and gain weight, we fuel the aromatase enzyme system resulting in elevated levels of estradiol, perhaps promoting prostatic disease. When we review the routes of detoxification of testosterone, we notice that the are two main paths one is via aromatization leading to estrogen formation and 5-alpha reductase, leading to Dihydrotestosterone formation. The solution to the excessive Estrogen conversion in aging male is to restore a more youthful balance between estrogen and testosterone–is by decreasing the estrogen influence and increasing the influence of testosterone in the body. To achieve this healthy testosterone estrogen balance in aging men one should be mindful of 50 chemicals that imitate estrogen that are called xenoestrogens and are toxic to the body.
A list of xenoestrogens includes
Pesticides
Synthetic hormones fed to animals
Plastics
Cosmetic ingredients
Fatigue, loss of a sense of well being — 82%
Joint aches and stiffness of hands — 60%
Hot flashes, sleep disturbances — 50%
Depression — 70%
Irritability and anger — 60%
Reduced libido — 80%
Weaker erections and orgasms
Higher risk of heart disease
Reduced potency — 80%
Premature aging
Weight gain
Changes in hair growth and skin quality
Intimacy problems, such as trying to establish closer relationships with family members
Hot flashes, which occur only in approximately 1 in 10 men experiencing andropause
Osteoporosis (weakening or loss of bone mass)
Hair loss in armpits and genital area
The Testosterone Estrogen connection
Aromatase is an enzyme that is responsible for a key step in the biosynthesis of estrogen from testosterone. Aromatase is partially responsible for lowered levels of testosterone in aging men. Aromatization of testosterone into estrogen occurs mainly in the fat stores of the body. Therefore as we age and gain weight, we fuel the aromatase enzyme system resulting in elevated levels of estradiol, perhaps promoting prostatic disease. When we review the routes of detoxification of testosterone, we notice that the are two main paths one is via aromatization leading to estrogen formation and 5-alpha reductase, leading to Dihydrotestosterone formation. The solution to the excessive Estrogen conversion in aging male is to restore a more youthful balance between estrogen and testosterone–is by decreasing the estrogen influence and increasing the influence of testosterone in the body. To achieve this healthy testosterone estrogen balance in aging men one should be mindful of 50 chemicals that imitate estrogen that are called xenoestrogens and are toxic to the body.
A list of xenoestrogens includes
Pesticides
Synthetic hormones fed to animals
Plastics
Cosmetic ingredients
Men must understand that andropause is normal. The medical community and men have always thought that only women suffered from hormonal changes associated with increasing age. Many men may actually look upon the idea of a male menopause as something unmanly. Nothing could be further from the truth. All men will experience changes to their testosterone levels as they age.
Once aware of the problem men need to know what to do about their symptoms. The first thing to do is to seek Medical advice from a trained Functional Medicine Physician who understands how to reverse aging and understands that all of the hormones in the body are designed to work together as a harmonic symphony. We can help you achieve a hormonal balance through Bio-identical, customized hormone replacement. Feel free to call us to make an appointment for a full nutritional consultation & analysis.
Once aware of the problem men need to know what to do about their symptoms. The first thing to do is to seek Medical advice from a trained Functional Medicine Physician who understands how to reverse aging and understands that all of the hormones in the body are designed to work together as a harmonic symphony. We can help you achieve a hormonal balance through Bio-identical, customized hormone replacement. Feel free to call us to make an appointment for a full nutritional consultation & analysis.
