Bodywise : Hormone Balancing

IS THERE A MALE MENOPAUSE?

Yes. The male menopause, or Andropause, is believed to begin in the mid 40’s to early 50’s. A recent study by the World Health Organization stated that levels of the male hormone, Testosterone, decline by 10% every decade beginning around age 30. It is estimated that by age 50 that more than 30% of men have Testosterone levels low enough to cause symptoms and put them at risk. Only 5- 10% of these men will ever seek treatment.

How is Andropause treated?
Once your lab work is completed, a customized treatment plan is made for you. It typically included recommendations for: Dietary changes; Lifestyle modifications and stress reduction; High quality supplements and; Customized hormone treatments. Hormone treatment options include topical creams or gels, skin patches, injections, or long acting pellet therapy utilizing the Testopel.

Can any man use bioidentical Testosterone therapy?
No. Men with prostate cancer and male breast cancer are not candidates for therapy. In addition, men with liver disease, heart or kidney disease, diabetes, an enlarged prostate, or are being treated with blood thinners will need to work closely with their primary physician and our physician to see if treatment is an option.

For Men

Is Testosterone the only Hormone that declines?
The hormonal decline is not limited to just testosterone. Other important hormones decline in Andropause. These hormones include thyroid hormone, melatonin, Human Growth Hormone, DHEA and others. While declining hormones are a normal part of aging, the effects often result in a lower quality of life. These effects include a decline in sexual interest and performance, loss of muscle tone, weight gain and a decrease in overall energy. In addition they contribute to difficulty concentrating, memory loss and mood changes.

What are the Symptoms of Andropause?

Fatigue of general tiredness	Increased blood sugar levels
Increased abdominal fat	Low sex drive
Depression	Erectile dysfunction
Loss of self confidence	Loss of muscle mass or muscle strength

How do you diagnose Andropause?
Accurate diagnosis and treatment require a thorough clinical history, a complete physical exam, and the necessary lab tests to evaluate hormone levels. Evaluation of testicular hormones, adrenal stress hormones, thyroid hormones as well as evaluation of nutritional absorption of amino acids and vitamins is often needed.