Understanding the symptoms of andropause – the male menopause
When it comes to menopause, men too have their own cross to bear and it’s called andropause (the male menopause). Andropause is typified by the gradual decline of the male sex hormone, testosterone. In addition to waning testosterone levels, men also experience lower levels of DHEA and human growth hormone. Although the change in men is more gradual than experienced by women, during menopause, the symptoms can be just as trying.
Here are some of the symptoms that men can expect during andropause:
- Low libido – Low testosterone can cause a lot of problems in the bedroom. In addition to becoming disinterested in sex, men aren’t aroused as easily and oftentimes don’t have sex as frequently as they did in their 20’s and 30’s. It’s also common for men to experience erectile dysfunction (ED) as result of hypogonadism (low testosterone).
- Weight gain/muscle loss – Weight gain is typical in males suffering from hormonal imbalance. Excess cortisol can negatively impact the body’s metabolism and make it increasingly difficult to shed those unwanted pounds. It’s estimated that men who lead sedentary lifestyles will lose approximately 10 percent of his muscle mass, each decade.
- Fatigue – As men age, cortisol levels increase and testosterone levels plummet, oftentimes overworking the adrenals and causing a condition known as adrenal fatigue.
- Sleep problems – Hormonal imbalance is at the root of everything from sleep apnea to insomnia. It’s common for men to have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night.
- Low self-confidence – Being that andropause can be physically and emotionally draining, men sometimes feel as if they’ve lost their youthful edge. Lack of confidence can bring on bouts of depression and lead to anxiety.
If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of andropause, it would be wise to contact your primary care physician and request to have your hormone levels tested. If a hormonal imbalance is found, it’s important to find the treatment plan that works best for you.
-Denver bioidentical hormones expert Joseph Agnello, M.D.
Dallas Bioidentical Hormones Expert, Lisa Gorn, D.O. Discusses IBS & G.I. Health
April is recognized as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month and I wanted to discuss some factors that can negatively impact our G.I. health and increase our risk of developing IBS. Focusing on our diet and reducing stress are the most important things we can do to improve our gut health. The Standard American Diet (SAD) has been linked to a multitude of chronic and deficiency-related illnesses. Processed foods are oftentimes high in trans fats, saturated fats, simple sugars and empty calories and significantly increase the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Also, when we eat is just as important as what we eat. Regular mealtimes help regulate digestion. Relaxing and taking the time to chew our food thoroughly not only aids in digestion, but helps us utilize more nutrients. In addition to the foods that we eat, stress also plays a large role in our overall gut health. Chronic stress causes the intestinal muscles to contract and eventually the contractions can cause symptoms commonly associated with IBS, such as abdominal pain and discomfort, constipation, diarrhea and bloating.
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