Andropause and low Testosterone treatment in men

Introduction

A big percentage of the 78 million baby boomers and a good percentage of men above 40 that are now in midlife are vulnerable to feelings of demoralization. Some of these people are experiencing classic midlife crisis symptoms but the problem is more severe in others.

The worst-hit group is experiencing long-term effects which also come with certain low testosterone symptoms and low growth hormone levels in men such as: loss of emotional, sexual, and intellectual intimacy with their partners; low libido and energy, low motivation, hot flashes and night sweats in men, emotional issues such as regrets about things they could have done to parent their now adult children better; unfulfilled dreams of achieving something more meaningful in life; and flatlined or lost careers; emotional changes as a result of their failed careers; and desire for deeper friendship which feels increasingly elusive. Men stuck in midlife crisis often start portraying odd behavior that it unbecoming of people their age. They often start doing things on a whim, things that you would expect only teenagers and twenty somthings to do.

To compound the problem of midlife crisis is anxiety about what is to come for them and their families in an increasingly unpredictable economy. It is hard to stay sane in the midst of all these problems. That is assuming that you even know what sanity looks like. The worst thing is that most of the men stuck in midlife crisis have no clue what could be causing it. There could be a relationship between midlife crisis and andropause (the male counterpart of menopause).

Understanding andropause

Many people are aware of menopause in women, but few know that there is a similar condition for men called andropause. It is similar to menopause because it is characterized by a gradual decline in male hormones and masculinity. What happens when the hormones that make men men start to diminish? The noticeable thing that happens is that men stop behaving like themselves. Men who think that they are going through some kind of midlife crisis might actually be suffering the effects of andropause.

More physicians are now starting to recognize and accept the changes that occur in middle-aged men including loss of energy, depression, sexual dysfunction, and low libido. Physicians are recommending hormone replacement therapy for men experiencing these symptoms as well as weight gain and reduced bone density. Andropause affects men more than just physically – it also affects them mentally.

Celebrities like Sylvester Stallone, apparently are well aware of these hormonal declines, especially of hormones like HGH and tstosterone, and would do anything to get their youthful hormones back.

Andropause is like reverse puberty and wreaks havoc on men’s hormonal, social, interpersonal, psychological, sexual, and spiritual lives. Loss of testosterone and HGH is the main cause of andropause but it affects some men differently. Andropause affects about 25 million males between 40 and 55 years. It causes irritability, depression, reduced libido, fatigue, and erectile dysfunction. 68 year-old Cecil Dorsey of Vermont, Connecticut who discovered that his testosterone level had reduced significantly said, “I just didn’t want to be bothered by anything.” This statement is familiar to most men who are going through midlife crisis.

A new angle on an old problem

The first study of andropause was published in mid-1940. The U.S. medical community started recognizing the condition just recently. Usually, men who have the symptoms of andropause are treated for specific medical conditions which is the wrong thing to do. If, for instance, an andropausal man is treated for depression, the root cause of his symptoms can never get resolved and he shall continue showing more and more symptoms of depression for which doctors prescribe useless medication. The antidepressants that the man in the example above is prescribed will make matters worse because they will aggravate the loss of libido which the man is probably already experiencing.

Finding the real cure for andropause

Conventional means of treating andropause and restoring the male hormone imbalance fail to look at the problem as a pattern. A holistic approach should be taken in treating the symptoms of andropause if the effects are to be maintained. Andropause should be treated by combining testosterone therapy, herbs, exercise, improved diet, and psychotherapy.

Combatting testosterone reduction with the diet

Michael Stewart, an engraver and artist in Mendocino County, California, says that he couldn’t keep using AndroGel which is quite a popular product. It is an odorless, colorless topical testosterone gel. Stewart said that though it was convenient to use, it was too strong. According to him, the gel gave him lots of ‘good’ energy but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was getting an unnaturally high dosage of testosterone. He is now more cautious and is still waiting for a product that allows users to regulate their dosage better. Comprehensive lifestyle and diet change needed to combat andropause.

For example, there are certain foods that naturally increase testosterone, fasting strategies that work to increase HGH, and balancing or manipulating insulin-HGH balance by your diet.

One of the worst things to happen to a person suffering from the effects of andropause is an increase in estrogen which, in the worst case scenario, causes development of female physical characteristics. Men should be aware that there are foods that promote testosterone production. However, there are others that cause testosterone to be converted to estrogen.

These foods might contain substances that activate aromatase enzyme which is naturally present in the body. This enzyme turns testosterone into estrogen. Among the foods that should be avoided for triggering this enzyme include grapefruit and alcohol among many others.

Benefits and drawbacks of testosterone and HGH replacement

Many physicians recommend testosterone replacement therapy for men who are suffering from the symptoms of declining testosterone levels. Despite testosterone therapy being frequently advised, it is still a controversial area. Before a doctor prescribes testosterone therapy, he should think about the symptoms affecting his patient and whether hormone replacement will help. Some doctors maintain that men’s testosterone levels should be brought up to a certain minimum level which is 300 nanograms per deciliter of blood. Men aged 40 have a mean of 500 nanograms per deciliter.

There are several instances where testosterone replacement therapy is always recommended. For instance, a male experiencing loss of bone density which can lead to osteoporosis should be put on hormone replacement therapy. It can also be used to treat sexual dysfunction when Viagra and other performance enhancers don’t work anymore. It can also be prescribed to people with chronic illnesses to help them maintain body composition such as muscle.

According to Dr. Micael A. Werner, a NYC based urologist, testosterone replacement therapy is not benign. Dr. Werner has specialized in male reproductive health.

Other specialists say that there are several factors a person must consider before accepting testosterone replacement therapy. For instance, a patient should take a PSA blood test to know his risk of getting prostate cancer. Testosterone replacement therapy, particularly where injections are used, increases the risk of shutting down internal testosterone production, stroke, breast development, and liver toxicity. One of the least known facts about testosterone replacement therapy might shut down sperm production.

Similarly, HGH therapy might have its own risks and benefits.

A recommended resource for more information on hormone restoration therapies is here.

Testosterone therapy has also long been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks. Dr. Sidney Wolfe claims that there have been 27 studies published on the safety of testosterone drugs. Of those 27 studies, 13 were funded by drug companies and showed no risk of heart attack, while 14 independent studies revealed a risk.

Using Natural Hormone restoration products

Testosterone replacement with injections is a brute force approach to dealing with the effects of andropause. Another very effective and safer way to restore testosterone and HGH levels is to use natural supplements such as GenF20 Plus, Test RX and Prosolution Plus.

These products contain natural ingredients that have been proven to boost growth hormone and testosterone and dopamine production. The ingredients used to make Prosolution Plus increase production of not only testosterone but also HGH and DHEA. They also help to restore the testosterone-estrogen balance of a person’s youthful years.

A recent clinical study proved that GenF20 Plus increases HGH levels by 28%. HGH is human growth hormone and it is one of the most important hormones in the human body. Its production decreases as men grow older. It affects numerous body processes and it can even be said to have a bigger impact than testosterone. HGH supplements can fight overall body aging which is common among older people who are going through andropause. Among the improvements that HGH can cause include but are hardly limited to:

• Reduced wrinkles
• Increased physical stamina
• Restored hair color and condition
• Higher sex drive and better performance
• Increased lean muscle
• Improved memory and focus

These natural solutions are recommended for their effectiveness and lack of side effects, while treating andropause problems.