Helping the Symptoms of Male Andropause

No doubt you have heard of menopause. It eventually affects all women as we age.  But what do you know about andropause? Do you know who it affects and what is it exactly?

Andropause is often referrred to as male menopause. It occurs in older men just like menopause occurs in women. But most men would probably prefer the term male andropause to male menopause. Male andropause is characterized by low testosterone levels or androgens, hence the term.

Most of us now testosterone is the main male sex hormone. During puberty testosterone is the hormone responsible for the growth of the genitals, male hair growth on the face and body as well as changes in the pitch of the male voice for a start.  Testosterone is also responsible for the increase in muscle mass that most men develop as they become more adult.  It also plays an important role in bone density and bone maturation, leading to overall male strength.

Testosterone is vital for physical, mental and sexual energy.  But it also plays an important role in cardiovascular health by promoting increased lean body mass (muscle tissue), decreased visceral fat mass (the worst type of fat), decreased total cholesterol, and blood glucose control.
However, as men age, their testosterone levels begin to decrease – the beginning of andropause.  Andropause occurs more gradually in men than menopause does in women. While many men begin to experience testosterone decline in their 50s, the process may start earlier than that.  Because of the overall slower decline, the signs and symptoms of low testosterone are often attributed to other conditions such as depression.

One of the most noticeable symptoms, affecting both a man and his partner, is change in sexual function. For some men, this can seem like the end of the world. To make matters worse, low testosterone can lead to an overall lower sex drive. Since sexual prowess and skill is often considered a sign of manhood, any difficulties with these areas can trigger a lot of emotion for a man, including depression and anxiety.

Along with sexual issues, loss of muscle becomes noticeable. After about age forty, muscle mass decreases in both men and women. It may not be noticeable if a man is inactive or sedentary. But along with muscle loss, bone density also begins to fall. Men are not as likely to be affected by osteoporosis as women but it does occur, especially if a man is on medications, such as steroids like cortisone or prednisone.

Lack of testosterone can also affect mood. Some men feel irritable, angry and depressed.  Even a good night’s sleep can be difficult to achieve when these mood issues are present.  Many men begin to notice slowing in their activity levels, even outright fatigue.  While fatigue can result in less physical activity, that doesn’t usually translate into a change in appetite and eating. Subsequently, many men begin to put on extra weight in the form of body fat. Of course, we all know that increased body fat, especially around the abdomen, leads to a whole host of conditions, such as:

* Heart disease
* Diabetes
* Stroke
* High blood pressure
* High cholesterol

There is good news!  While andropause may be a fact of life, there are a variety of ways to help your body or your partner’s body more easily transition through this phase of life.

The most important and fundamental way to manage the symptoms of andropause begins with eating a healthy and nutritious diet consistently.  Eating fresh whole foods with low glycemic impact on your blood sugar will minimize the accumulation of body fat while maximizing and preserving lean muscle tissue.  In particular, it will keep keep your blood glucose stable and decrease the risk of diabetes.

There are a whole host of natural approaches that can help with symptoms of low testosterone.  Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) supports the normal formation of coenzyme A and the acyl carrier protein, which play important roles in the release of energy from fats, protein and carbohydrates. It also supports the normal synthesis of cholesterol, steroids, and fatty acids.  Pantothenic acid is widely distributed in plant and animal food sources, where it occurs in both bound and free forms. Food sources of pantothenic acid include organ meats (liver, kidney), egg yolk, avocados, cashew nuts and peanuts, brown rice, soya, lentils, broccoli and milk, with the richest sources of the vitamin being the ovaries of cod and tuna. Two of the richest sources of pantothenic acid are royal jelly and brewer’s yeast, which are often used as nutritional supplements.

Iodine supports the thyroid gland in the normal production of the thyroid hormones thyroxin and tri-iodothyronine, which regulate metabolic rate.  This helps control body and visceral fat.

Chromium is a vital trace mineral that forms part of a compound in the body known as glucose tolerance factor (GTF), which is involved in regulating the actions of insulin in maintaining blood sugar levels and, possibly, in helping to control appetite. Chromium also supports healthy glucose metabolism, helps maintain healthy insulin levels, and helps maintain healthy blood levels of cholesterol and other lipids.

Zinc is found in almost all body tissues, but about 60 percent of the body’s zinc is stored in the muscles and 30 percent in the bones. It may have antioxidant activities. It may also support normal fertility and vision health.

Under conditions of high stress (and aging is a physical stress), increased cortisol levels are known to cause fatigue and depress sex drive — so maintaining normal cortisol levels back into normal ranges is also thought to help maintain a normal metabolism, libido and enhance energy levels.  Horny goat weed helps the body maintain healthy levels of testosterone, which supports libido, helps maintain relaxed, smooth muscles and promotes healthy blood vessel dilation.

Schizandra, a Chinese herb, has historically been taken to promote sexual vitality, to promote mental function, to beautify the skin, to support a healthy respiratory system and to support a good night’s sleep.  Schizandra is known for its ability to promote healthy levels of nitric oxide, which is an important component of erection physiology. It is a proven adaptogen, which moderates the body’s response to stress, boosts mood and promotes a healthy liver.

Panax ginseng, grown in Korea, China and Russia, has been shown to promote an increase in sexual desire and support the ability to attain erections. It works to promote the normal production of nitric oxide, a chemical supporting healthy blood vessel dilation, important in erectile function. It also helps to promote normal sperm count and testosterone levels.

Tribulus terrestris, another herb, promotes normal erections by supporting healthy testosterone levels, which are contingent upon normal levels of the luteinizing hormone (LH). Tribulus terrestris also promotes normal DHEA levels, which supports erectile quality, enhances sexual desire and physical performance.

Gingko biloba, a Chinese herb, promotes men’s sexual health and erection quality.  Ginkgo also promotes the ability to attain normal erections by supporting blood circulation to genitals and helping to maintain relaxed vascular smooth muscles in the penis.

If you thing that you might be affected by andropause, talk to your doctor and check out some of the natural approaches described above.  Many supplements contain a blend of the vitamins and herbs listed for easy use.  Some excellent ones can be found by clicking here. Don’t let embarassment or shame keep you or your loved one from enjoying a full and satisfying life.