The Symptoms of Male Menopause

The terms "male menopause" and "andropause" are popping up all over the place now, with more and more men facing concerns regarding a mid-life hormonal decline. Once referred to somewhat disdainfully as "mid-life crisis", male menopause puts a more accurate label on a very genuine - and sometimes distressing - condition. There are very real reasons for this mid-life decline, and many men are somewhat relieved that it is no longer being written off as a silly "crisis".

What is male menopause?

Andropause, often called male menopause, refers to a decline in androgens - namely, testosterone - in a man's body as he ages. When a man is around 18 years old, his testosterone is at peak production levels (thus, the "hormonal" teenager). Production drops off slightly as a man enters his upper 20s; however, testosterone generally remains at a healthy level for most of a man's life. As a man reaches his 50s, however, testosterone production is often significantly reduced, and this is when noticeable signs begin to crop up.

Since testosterone is responsible for much of what makes men manly, including sex drive, the creation and release of sperm, muscular strength and growth, as well as facial and body hair growth, the sudden drop in testosterone levels can be rather disconcerting.

Menopause vs. andropause - what's the difference?

Labeling this decline in testosterone "male menopause" can be fairly misleading. While menopause occurs in all women, and is the result of a complete decline of sex hormones, this is not the case with men.

When a woman enters menopause, estrogen levels will disappear altogether. This total decline results in a complete loss of fertility, and will typically be accompanied by symptoms that are much more severe. While a man often faces a decline in androgen levels, his body will never completely quit producing testosterone. That means men continue to be fertile and will continue to produce sperm well into old age.

So while the conditions are similar, there are some very key differences between the two. Men should also be aware that there are treatments available to ease or resolve any symptoms that may arise.

What are the symptoms?

Nearly every man will experience the symptoms of andropause. Not every case will be serious, or even very noticeable; however, understanding the symptoms can remove some of the anxiety attached to this condition. Being aware of what to expect can also help a man take steps to delay, minimize, or even eliminate symptoms before they arise. Here are some of the most common symptoms of male menopause:

• Fatigue - As testosterone levels decline, energy also declines considerably. Where a man was once able to perform certain activities with ease, those same activities now require much greater effort and take a greater toll on him physically.


• Declining sex drive - Since testosterone is responsible for a man's sexual drive and performance, the hormonal decline results in less interest in sex. A man may go from having sex several times a week in his 20s to once or twice a month by the time he reaches 50. Sex may become less enjoyable as well.


• Decline in sexual performance - A man may also find that he cannot sustain an erection as long as before, or may have difficulty achieving erection at all. Orgasms may be less intense, and ejaculate may be significantly decreased.


• Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating - When men enter male menopause, there is often a noticeable difference in their memory and ability to focus or concentrate. A man might seem more confused, distracted or forgetful, where he was once sharp and focused. While most men are usually strong in this area, it can become quite a problem when testosterone levels are at such a low.


• Depression, anger, irritability, and anxiety - This will likely be more noticeable in men who are usually at an even keel. Many men who are typically easy-going and even-tempered may suddenly have a short fuse. Men who once dealt with frustrations and irritations with ease suddenly find themselves less able to cope with the difficulties. Depression can often overshadow even the happiest of men when testosterone levels are in decline.


• Muscle loss and weight gain - Most men gain tend to gain that "spare tire" around the waist as they hit middle age, and andropause bears much of the blame. Due to low testosterone levels, men begin to lose muscle mass. That muscle is quickly replaced by fat, which tends to accumulate around the middle.


• Osteoporosis - While bone loss begins much later in men than in women, by the time a man hits his 40s or 50s, bone loss becomes a real concern. This can be a symptom of andropause, as testosterone contributes to healthy bone growth.


• Sleep disorders - Often when a man enters male menopause he will begin to have difficulty sleeping. He may have a hard time falling asleep, or he may have broken, restless sleep much of the time. Since the body uses the time asleep to heal and repair itself, this broken sleep tends to exacerbate the other problems a man is already facing.


• Confusion, indecisiveness, lack of self-confidence - A man finds much of his confidence is being strong, being able to solve problems, take care of things efficiently, and having power to get things done. When so much of his body is affected by declining hormone levels, a man can lose much of his confidence. He can become indecisive, confused, and unsure of himself.

How is andropause diagnosed?

If you feel you may be suffering some of the symptoms of male menopause, talk to your doctor. The doctor will run some tests to see how your testosterone levels are doing, and will ask questions about symptoms you are experiencing. Discussing your concerns with your doctor can not only put your mind at rest regarding male menopause; but it can address any other conditions that might be causing your symptoms.

Can male menopause be treated?

If the symptoms you are experiencing can be traced back to male menopause, your doctor may prescribe testosterone replacement therapy. This treatment can help to ease some of the symptoms of androgen deficiency, including decreased libido, fatigue, and depression.

In addition, your doctor may suggest certain lifestyle changes in addition to or in place of therapy. A simple change in diet or a new exercise program may offer substantial relief from many of the symptoms you might be facing.

Natural Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

For many men and women who are undergoing menopause or andropause, treatments have been fairly limited in the past. Today, with the availability of bioidentical hormones Pandora's Box has been opened. There are a lot of women who have gone through menopause and suffered through a variety of physical and emotional problems during this period. Symptoms like headaches, flushing, weight gain, night sweats, dry skin or loss of libido are common and very unpleasant. These symptoms may last anywhere from 2-5 years.

Now, there is no need to go through this agony. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is widely used in Europe to treat women and men who have declining levels of the sex hormones. There are many testimonials and clinical reports which reveal that short term use of bioidentical hormones is safe and effective.

Bioidentical hormones are similar to the natural hormones produced in the body- the only difference is that the bioidentical hormones are extracted from certain plants. Unlike many of the synthetic sex hormones, bioidentical hormones contain no chemicals or preservatives.

Whether to take bioidentical hormones is a personal decision. There are some easy saliva and blood tests which can quickly tell if the sex hormones are low. If one has symptoms of menopause or andropause, then a visit to a physician who deals with bioidentical hormone therapy is recommended.

The great thing about these hormones is that they can be tailor made for each individual. Once the diminished sex hormone deficiency is identified, the physician can write a prescription for the exact dosage required. The pharmacist can then mix the bioidentical hormones in the right dosages.

Todate, most experts agree that bioidentical hormones for the short term are safe. The may even help protect against osteoporosis and heart attacks. Unopposed estrogens in post menopausal women can induce breast and uterine cancers. All women who do intend to take bioidentical hormone replacement therapy should have a thorough discussion of this topic with their health care provider. There is also ample information on the internet about this topic.

While these hormones can be bought without a prescription in other parts of the world (i.e. Mexico), this should be avoided. The quality and quantity of the bioidentical hormones is questionable and can not always be verified.

In the USA, the bioidentical hormones are fairly easily available but require a prescription. Many alternative health care practitioners do recommend these products. In the end, it is a question of safety. As more studies become available, more physicians will come to know that bioidentical hormones are just as safe as any other drug, as long as they are not abused or taken for prolonged periods.

Try A Natural Approach to Menopause

What is happening to me?

You feel your heart begin to race. You experience some combination of sweating, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, headache, weakness, or a feeling of suffocation. A sudden, intense, hot feeling flushes your face and upper body and you begin to perspire, a little or a lot. You may feel a chill at the beginning of the episode or at the end.

If this sounds familiar to you, you are all too aware of the affect hot flashes can have on your lifestyle. It is simply a change in hormonal production that acts as a passage to the second half of life, but it can also be the beginning of new energy and a deeper self awareness within.

Eighty-five percent of the women in the United States experience hot flashes as they approach menopause and often one or two years after their period stops. Hot Flashes are the result of the hormonal changes that occur during menopause, but they can be dramatically affected by lifestyle and treatment choices. The pituitary hormones begin to flow continuously at high levels and the ovarian hormones, estrogen, progesterone and androgen, begin to slow down.

A diminished level of estrogen has a direct effect on the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for controlling your appetite, sleep cycles, sex hormones, and body temperature. A drop in estrogen confuses the hypothalamus and causes the brain to respond and alert the heart, blood vessels, and nervous system of overheating. The message is then transmitted by the chemical messengers, epinephrine, norepinephrine, prostaglandin and serotonin.

Under normal circumstances, this is how your body keeps you from overheating, but when the process is triggered by a drop in estrogen, the brain is confused. Skin temperature can rise as much as six degrees centigrade during a hot flash. Your body cools down when it shouldn't, and suddenly you are soaking wet with little or no warning. Hot Flashes most commonly occur n the morning, and at night. A sudden severe episode can be very frightening and may be misinterpreted as a heart attack.

For most women hot flashes are mild to moderate, but a small percentage of women experience hot flashes so severe, they seek medical attention to control them. The more rapid the transition to menopause, often after being medically induced, the stronger your symptoms may be. Other factors that may affect the severity include weight, fat to muscle ratio and smoking.

What can I do?

Always begin with the least aggressive and most natural approach when treating your menopausal symptoms. Studies have shown that medication is not always helpful. Many doctors and pharmaceutical companies see menopause as a deficiency disease, instead of a passage of life. So, it makes sense to them to view estrogen replacement as the only viable solution to restore vibrancy to menopausal and post menopausal women. Aside from the misconceptions of this type of thinking, estrogen therapy is not known to be safe for women, particularly women with a history of breast cancer.

Here are some positive steps you can take:

• Avoid Pressure: Allow more time to plan your day, as much as possible, around the time you normally experience hot flashes, and give yourself a chance to relax between commitments.


• Avoid Mood Altering Substances: Alcohol, caffeine, diet pills, smoking can all contribute to more severe reactions during hot flashes.


• Avoid Heated Situations: Hot or spicy food, hot tubs, saunas, hot showers, hot beds, hot rooms and excessive outdoor heat will intensify hot flashes.


• Avoid Uncomfortable Clothing: Dress in layers to adjust to body temperature swings. Wear breathable fabrics


• Exercise: It will reduce hot flashes, increase endorphin levels, help you sleep better, lower cholesterol levels, improve libido, minimize mood swings, improve self image and strengthen both skeletal and muscular systems.


• Use Relaxation Methods: Breathing exercises, meditation, massage, hypnosis and yoga are all methods proven to reduce stress and the physical affect that stress can have on your body.


• You Are What You Eat: Follow a low-fat diet and avoid processed foods to maintain a healthy weight for your body.


• Use Natural Herbs: A mixture ofdon quai, a female tonic, chasteberry, which regulates the female reproductive system and damiana, used as a tonic and female aphrodisiac may be beneficial when taken once a day, preferably mid day. A common regimen would be to take these herbs until you no longer experience any hot flashes, and then begin to gradually reduce the dose and stop completely. Other plant estrogens that women have found effective in treating hot flashes over the centuries can be found in ginseng/panax, evening primrose oil, licorice root, red raspberry leaves, sarsaparilla, spearmint, motherwort, black cohosh, and wild yam. These herbal remedies, may be effective at reducing hot flashes. However, their relative safety in women who have had breast cancer is not known. Always use great caution when considering plant estrogens and always consult your doctor.

Menopause is one of life's most natural processes, not a disorder. All of the pressure of pregnancy, premenstrual and menstrual demands are gone. And because women develop, sexually, much later in life than men, many say that after menopause, their sex lives actually improve.So, relax, prepare, listen to your body and enjoy the ride.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

What Are the Symptoms of Menopause - Fuzzy Thinking

This part of what are the symptoms of menopause deals with something very familiar to women in menopause: fuzzy thinking.

How often have you forgotten your car keys, right after you put them down? Or your reading glasses? Some women have 5 or 6 pairs of glasses because they just cannot keep track of them! Of course, this may not have anything to do with the symptoms of menopause, but very often it is one of the most common symptoms: fuzzy thinking.

Frequently, fuzzy thinking means that your body is trying to tell you that it is overburdened, stressed out and in need of some attention. The stresses of modern day living, with it's multi-tasking and endless bombardment of information can take a huge toll on your hormonal balance. This imbalance can cause the very annoying menopause symptom of fuzzy thinking.

What causes fuzzy thinking?

When the body is overburdened it automatically shuts down for a spell. It is just a simple matter of survival. Imagine a filing cabinet full of folders that keep getting more and more added until it is over-capacity. Add a lack of adequate rest, poor nutrition, too much caffeine, etc. and the stage is set for a period of fuzzy thinking.

During menopause it is normal for the hormones to slow down production. This can easily cause a hormonal imbalance that sets off the foggy, clouded thinking. Try as you might, something is just missing and you cannot focus or concentrate. This is because the necessary hormones are simply not there in adequate supply.

What can you do about fuzzy thinking?

First realize that, in all likelihood, your case is not so severe. Also, you can rest assured that there is almost always a great deal you can do on your own to help. Of course, very severe cases should be treated by a medical doctor.

One of the first places to look is your daily planner. If it is jam packed to the max with appointments and things to do you should find a way to change this. It may not be so easily done, but it can be done and will bring quick results.

Another likely suspect is your sleeping pattern. It does not take long for a chronic lack of sleep to do damage to the brain. There is no way around it: the human body requires adequate sleep and rest to function properly.

You might think that a lack of sleep has little effect on the brain, but many studies have shown a decreased ability to recall things from the short-term memory and an inability to process information for the long term memory. Not only that, but the ability to quickly react is affected by a lack of quality sleep.

Nutrition plays a huge role as well in preventing fuzzy thinking. A good example is to remember how it was to participate in a lengthy meeting on an empty stomach! Or the wasted feeling of too much sugar and caffeine, especially when it wears off!

On the other hand, having a healthy diet can work wonders for the body and mind. Good nutrition supplies the ingredients our bodies need to operate at their best. Taking a quality vitamin/mineral supplement is also good advice.

What is Progesterone and How Does It Help Treat Hair Loss?

Progesterone has been shown to have DHT inhibiting effects and is thus used by both men and women, often in the form of topical applications, to combat hair loss. Progesterone creams provide a transdermal method by which levels of the progesterone hormone can be increased at a desired location of the body. Hair loss is not the primary reason for the use of progesterone creams. While applied topically, some of the progesterone absorbed in this way will find its way into the body in general, so there may be systemic implications to its use. Progesterone can also be taken in pill form to increase broader systemic efficacy.

Topical progesterone is available as capsules, vaginal creams and suppositories. The medication is applied by women to sensitive areas of the body such as the breast, abdomen, inner thighs and the palms of the hands. Men who use progesterone creams can apply it to areas such as inner forearm, chest, neck or scrotum. Because of possible side effects for the health of the thin areas of skin through which the progesterone is absorbed, it is recommended that the site of application is changed periodically. This has obvious implications for those intending to apply progesterone creams regularly to the same parts of their scalp.

Progesterone creams are not FDA approved for use against hair loss in men or women, and if you are considering using one for such purposes you should consult a well-informed doctor before commencing use. This is especially important for women of all ages, men or women already taking medication to address hormonal imbalances in their bodies, or women who are or think they may become pregnant.

Progesterone is thought of as a female hormone and its medicinal use is primarily for ovarian disorders and contraception in women. Women who attribute excellent progress with their hair loss problems to the use of progesterone creams often also report improvements in other areas of their health associated with hormonal imbalances or the aging process. These include so-called "oestrogen dominance" and some of the unpleasant symptoms linked to menopause. Progesterone creams are a common systemic treatment for hair loss for women going through menopause or who have health problems associated with hormonal imbalances.

If you are a woman considering using a progesterone cream for the purposes of fighting hair loss, an excellent source of information about menopause and progesterone cream by Dr. John R. Lee is recommended reading. Dr. John Lee is not to be confused with Dr. Richard Lee, creator of the Xandrox products mentioned previously! Dr. Lee's book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause - The breakthrough book on natural progesterone" was written in collaboration with medical writer Virginia Hopkins and first published in 1996. Its most recently revised edition was released in 2004. Unfortunately Dr. Lee died of a heart attack the day after he completed revisions for the latest version of this book, but during his life he was a tireless researcher and advocate for natural progesterone treatments. He vigorously opposed the kind of synthetic hormone replacement therapy that women and the children they gave birth to suffered from for decades prior to his work, and his research has extra integrity because it was not funded by drug companies.

The reason that the pharmaceutical industry does not show much interest in progesterone is basic economics. It is inexpensive and not able to be patented. Some companies have developed synthetic progesterones (progestins) as a substitute for those that are naturally available, however because of the wide range of side effects associated with these altered compounds consumers should be wary about using synthetic progesterones for the purposes of hair loss.

To stop hair loss and achieve possible regrowth a 1% or 2% topical concentration of progesterone cream may be applied to the scalp. Quantities will vary depending on whether you are a man or a woman and what kind of hair loss you are experiencing, but 10-40 mg per day is a common dosage. It is believed that higher doses could cause menstrual irregularities in women.

There are now many different brands of natural progesterone cream available. When making a selection, look for one that doesn't leave a heavy or greasy feeling on the skin. Consumers often prefer creams dispensed from a tube for ease of use. Once again, consult your physician before making a selection when it comes to progesterone creams.

Menopause Can Really Take Its Toll - Natural Remedies Offer a Safe Solution

For the many women who are about to start menopause, or who are in the middle of the natural menopausal phase of the female body, the symptoms of it can really bog them down both mentally and physically. Of the many known symptoms of menopause, there are some that affect most women who are experiencing this natural slow down of the hormonal process in the female body. And for the many women out there who are experiencing such ailments, it can really cause them to feel dissatisfied with their overall quality of life.

Common symptoms of menopause

There are currently thirty-four most common symptoms associated with menopause. Of the most commonly experienced, there are several that can cause definitive mental duress upon the sufferer. Hot flashes and night sweats are a very common symptom and cause a feeling of overwhelming warming, which can also lead to profuse sweating. Irritability and depression also rank highly amongst common symptoms and can have detrimental effects. Lack of sex drive, or lack of sexual interest, as well as genital irritation or irregularities are also loathed symptoms of menopause. As you can see, just a few of the many symptoms of menopause are entirely undesirable, and intimately affect the well being, happiness and overall quality of living for the sufferer.

Why more women are seeking natural remedies for menopause

There is a garden variety of conventional medical treatments that have been developed to help those who suffer from menopause alleviate the symptoms. However, it should be noted that there are also some inherent risks, and many known side effects to the current conventional medical treatments that are available, such as hormone therapies and synthetic drugs. And the effectiveness of such treatments, when weighed against the side effects, causes many women to seek safer, more affordable and natural cures like Menersa.

Supplements like Menersa are considered to be high-potency phytoestrogen botanical alternatives. They use a blend of clinically proven, all-natural ingredients from plants to help counter the many side effects of menopause, without causing any adverse side effects in the process. Clearly for many women out there, the cost and efficiency of the natural alternatives are really making ground when compared to their medical latter.

Menopause Symptoms: The Easy Way To Fight Them

Menopause is a normal period in a woman's life beginning in most of the cases after reaching 45 years. It's a natural phenomenon that can not be considered a disease despite its' symptoms. A low level of estrogen is believed to be the main cause of unwanted symptoms like vaginal dryness, hot flashes, memory loss or insomnia, specific in this period of a woman's life, but also the cause of more dangerous consequences like osteoporosis or even heart attacks. That's why a special treatment and care from a medical staff is needed.

Many so called treatments can fight against those unpleasant symptoms. Hormone therapy is one of the most used treatments at menopause. It fights especially against bone weakness or memory loss, but because it includes the hormone called estrogen it helps in almost every case. This kind of treatment is not recommended without a doctor's order because it can lead to side-effects.

Phytoestrogens are also a helpful treatment for women who have reached menopause. Containing phytoestrogens, soy and other herbs like wild yam or valerian root can have a benefic effect over menopause symptoms.

Calcium and vitamin treatment is very important for menopausal women, but a healthy diet can also help preventing osteoporosis or heart attacks. Giving up smoking or lack of alcohol reduce the risk of premature menopause. As a conclusion we may say that a healthy and active life prevents early menopause and reduces the risks of osteoporosis and heart attacks or other specific symptoms of this period.

Managing stress also means a problem for menopausal women. A treatment is not recommended but a massage or a warm bath and even quiet music can relax women.

For one of the most painful symptoms of menopause, vaginal dryness, moisturizers and lubricants are indicated.

Even though menopause symptoms are not general, each symptom represents a problem for women.

Menopause main symptoms are hot flashes, vaginal dryness, depression and memory loss. For each one of these doctors give women some indications. For example to get rid of hot flashes, wearing cotton clothes could be a solution. Less alcohol and tobacco is recommended as much as unseasoned food.

For vaginal dryness lubricant is a solution. Exercising and drinking a lot of liquids is recommended for these cases.

An easy form of depression is seen at some women, during their menopause. As a solution open talk is the recommendation.

Many other problems occur during menopause. Memory loss is one of them. It's recommended for women to write things and try to use note books or reminders. Another problem that affects not only the body form but also the moral is weight gain. Weight gain can be stopped with the help of exercises and with a decrease of food rate.