ANDROPAUSE:
Male MENopause
In recent years it has been acknowledged that men experience a
hormone decline and shift starting in middle age much the same as
women do. The difference is that the male alteration in hormones
occurs much more gradually than in women, so symptoms of the male
climacteric, popularly called "andropause," are more subtle. Many
of the symptoms, though less abrupt in onset, are similar to the
female menopause: depression, memory decline, loss of libido, hot
flashes, decreased metabolism and difficulty making decisions. Any
or all of these symptoms can be related to decreased or altered
levels of the male sex hormones.
Andropause is not simply a matter of decreased testosterone. In
fact, some men have elevated testosterone levels. DHEA,
dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estrone, androstenedione and
progesterone are all male hormones can that "shift" (increase or
decrease) during andropause.
In males, higher levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone
derived from testosterone, is associated with benign prostate
hypertrophy (BPH) and possibly prostate cancer. Increased levels
of estrogens in males also appear to play a role in the
development of BPH. Decreased testosterone, or the ratio of
testosterone to DHT, appears to be important in determining risk
for both benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostate cancer.
Decreased testosterone, especially when coupled with increased
estrone, may cause emotional liability,
depression and memory changes in men. Decreased DHEA levels can
affect other sex hormones and are a marker for aging. In longevity
medicine, maintaining youthful DHEA levels is considered
particularly important.
A
male hormone profile is
a highly advisable "first step" for hormone balancing. The
following are safe and effective self-care measures that can be
used to improve hormone balance, but hormone profile testing
remains the standard for natural hormone replacement therapy in
both men and women.
DIET AND LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS
- Diet: eat a nutritious diet high in nutrient-rich foods.
Increase consumption of soy products (both sexes) if tolerated.
- Achieve and maintain a normal weight.
-
Exercise regularly. 30 minutes, 3
times per week minimum.
- Don’t smoke! The climacteric occurs sooner in people who
smoke.
PRIMARY SUPPORT
-
Maxi Multi:
3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. Optimal (not minimal) doses
of vitamin E, C, B6, B12, folic acid, selenium, zinc and
bioflavonoids are particularly important for men over 40.
- Omega 3 fatty acids:
Flax seed meal,
2 teaspoons per day with food
OR
Flax seed capsules:
2-4 caps, 3 times per day [target dose range: 6-12 caps per day]
OR
Flax seed oil:
1 tablespoon per day
OR
Max EPA
(Omega-3 rich fish oil): 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals
[target dose: 3-6 caps per day].
For General Hormone Balancing:
-
Saw Palmetto: 1cap, 2
times per day. [Target dose: 320mg per day]. Saw palmetto helps
keep the ratio of testosterone to DHT high. The result is a more
youthful testosterone profile and less unwanted prostate gland
growth.
-
DHEA: 50 mg taken in the
morning. Do not use higher doses without the results of a
hormone profile. (A typical dose
for an andropausal males is 50mg per day).
-
Mega Soy: 1 tab, once per
day with breakfast. [Target dose: 100mg or more of isoflavones;
50-100mg or more of genisteins].
-
Melatonin: 3 mg at
bedtime.
For Depression
For Loss of Libido or Erectile Dysfunction
TESTS
Hormone replacement creams, patches or natural prescriptions
may be recommended by your holistic physician AFTER a
sex hormone profile has been
performed. I am available for
consultations by telephone to help you achieve optimal hormone
balance.
See
Menopause:"The Climacteric" for
a full discussion of what occurs during menopause.
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