Andropause- Male Menopause

Is there a such thing as a menopause for men? Absolutely. It's clinically known as Andropause. Andropause affects all men. A decline in hormones is what causes male menopause or Andropause. Men can start losing thyroid, DHEA, and testosterone hormones when they are in their late 20's. Symptoms are detectable by the time by ages 35-40.

There have been several studies that have supported this is a real condition. The good news is that men by the hundreds of thousands have been able to successfully treat the symptoms. The symptoms usually go away within 2-4 weeks after treatment begins.

The symptoms of male menopause / andropause are as follows:

* Decreased mental quickness and sharpness

* Decreased mental quickness and sharpness

* A decrease in muscle and an increase in body fat

* Increased body fat and decreased muscle mass

* Trouble sleeping and night sweats

* Night sweats and trouble sleeping

* Decline in enthusiasm for daily life and/or depression

* Decreased sex drive

* Decreased sexual function and/or sensitivity

It's hard for men to discuss the symptoms of male menopause / andropause. Unlike women, the symptoms of male menopause develop slowly giving men time to adjust to the change. It usually takes a catalyst or an incident to bring this issue to a mans attention and what may be causing it. Talking about hormones is not typically seen as a very manly thing to do and most men will probably deny that they may be feeling less than optimal.

Male menopause, or andropause, treatment is not only healthy, it's safe . The treatment includes testing hormone levels then replacing the hormones to levels a man had when he was between ages 25 to 30.

It has been between 5-10 years since the results of studies were able to show hormone replacement for men was safe. Studies show that hormones, like testosterone, don't cause cancer. Over the last 5 years, studies have shown that there are health benefits of hormone replacement for men. For example, the highest cluster of testosterone receptors is in the heart. Second largest cluster resides in the brain and then the third is in the muscle-skeletal system.

Previous generations live under the mantra of "grow old gracefully". Modern science and medicine has given us the tools to not only fight but manage the aging process.

Jim Michels PhD

Learn more about andropause. Go to http://www.renewman.com where you can find out all about the symptoms and treatment.

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