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Dealing with Andropause
Andropause, or male menopause, is becoming more widely recognized and accepted by physicians
for the changes many middle-aged men experience. Changes start from energy loss to depression,
from loss of libido to sexual dysfunction. Men experiencing these symptoms, along with a host of
others such as decreased bone density and weight gain, should seek, according to some clinicians,
hormone replacement therapy and other treatments.
The author of "Male Menopause" and "Surviving Male Menopause" books, Dr Jed Diamond from
California says "It's like puberty in reverse. The changes that andropause wreaks in aging men are
hormonal, psychological, interpersonal, social, sexual and spiritual."
Andropause is a condition characterized by a loss of testosterone, the hormone that makes men men.
Most men see testosterone levels drop as they age. The process is not the same in all men, as some
of them are impacted more than others are, but is a certain thing that males between ages 40 and 55
are experiencing some degree of male menopause
Irritability, fatigue, depression, reduced libido and erection problems are hallmark signs of andropause,
The loss of testosterone, which can happen to men as young as 35, is gradual, with testosterone
levels dropping just 1 percent to 1.5 percent annually. The gradual loss of testosterone may take
years and this makes andropause very insidious. Sometime, the body just doesn't want to move, this
as the perception of andropause at its beginning.
The problem, according to Jed Diamond, is that in almost 100 percent of cases, men suffering from
the symptoms of andropause are treated for a specific medical condition. For example, an andropausal
male may be diagnosed with depression and prescribed an antidepressant, and both doctor and patient
think the man's problem has been addressed. However, if that man has other symptoms of male
menopause such as loss of libido, the antidepressant will only exaggerate that problem.
And Diamond explains "A more holistic approach is needed to address all of the symptoms of andropause.
This could include conventional therapies combined with testosterone replacement therapy, psychotherapy,
herbs, and diet and exercise. "
Testosterone replacement therapy is the primary means of treating men with declining levels of testosterone.
But this is still a controversial area.
"All men should be brought up to a certain level of testosterone," advocates Dr. Adrian Dobs, an
endocrinologist and associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dobs suggests
that minimum levels should be 300 nanograms per deciliter of total testosterone.
On the other hand, Dr. Michael A. Werner, a White Plains, N.Y., urologist and other specialists,
say that testosterone replacement therapy ,whether by injection, patches, cream, gel or oral form, increases
the risk of prostate cancer. Other risks, particularly associated with injections, include the risk of stroke, an
increase in liver toxicity and breast development, and, ironically, a decreasement in production of sperm.
Dr Stephen Sinatra, a Manchester, Conn., cardiologist board certified in anti-aging medicine, author of
"Heartbreak and Heart Disease", suggests to increase testosterone production, herbs such as muira puama,
and L-arginine or the vasodilator ginkgo biloba to increase a man's libido.
For men hitting midlife, Diamond recommends, cut out alcohol, eat soy products, lower fat foods, vegetables
and tomato products, the last of which can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Furthermore, drinking plenty
of water is a key component for healthy living
NOTE: The Information on this site is provided for information only,
and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional.
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