What Your Hormones Have to Say About It.

By Eric Honing, M.D. of BodyLogicMD of Phoenix

My Hair Turning Gray is One Thing - But I Refuse to Give Up My Memory or My Libido!

What's a Guy To Do When Male Menopause Comes Knocking?

Are you a male over 50? More importantly, are you one of the 30 percent of men in their 50s with testosterone levels low enough to cause the symptoms of andropause? A few moments with the ADAM questionnaire (Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male) can help you see if this whole andropause thing is worth checking into:

• Do you have a decrease in libido (sex drive)?
• Do you have a lack of energy?
• Do you have a decrease in strength and/or endurance?
• Have you lost height?
• Have you noticed a decreased ?enjoyment of life??
• Are you sad and/or grumpy?
• Are your erections less strong?
• Have you noticed a recent deterioration in your ability to play sports?
• Are you falling asleep after dinner?
• Has there been a recent deterioration in your work performance?

If you answered yes to even a few of these questions, balancing your hormone levels may be the key to restoring your vitality, achieving a more youthful appearance and getting your edge back.

Hormone imbalance does not discriminate - men as young as 40 can suffer many of the same symptoms as women experiencing menopause. Age-related symptoms including loss of hair, memory, muscle mass and libido, along with behavior changes that have more commonly been linked to ?Midlife Crisis?, are often the result of andropause, the male menopause. Fortunately, we can test hormone levels to help determine if testosterone replacement through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is the answer.

It's a hormone thing

Hormone changes are a natural part of aging. For men, these changes typically take place gradually over a period of years and are not fully "appreciated" until much later (compared to women who may undergo drastic and very noticeable changes during perimenopause and menopause). So a man may suddenly feel that a host of symptoms related to andropause and other hormonal issues have ?ganged up? on him to make him feel like he's turning into his father, such as:

• Depression
• Erectile dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Gynecomastia ("man boobs")
• Hair loss
• Hot flashes
• Irritability ("Irritable Male Syndrome")
• Lower libido
• Memory loss
• Muscle loss
• Night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Urinary problems
• Weight gain

Hormonal shifts aren't the only cause of the issues men can face as they age. As we work with a man to determine the source of his symptoms, we also review his overall attitude, psychological stress, alcohol/ narcotic usage, injuries, surgery, medications, weight and any infections. Many times, I find that a variety of factors contribute to the onset of andropause and understanding those provides the key to developing an individualized treatment plan for each of my patients. There is no magic bullet, but a combination of BHRT, fitness and nutrition can put a man back on a balanced track.

Testosterone levels can begin to drop as early as age 30 - and as much as 10 percent per decade. While many men will not notice a disconcerting change in appearance, libido or behavior, others will find there is a definite impact on their quality of life. Noticeable andropausal symptoms like those listed above are clear indicators that a man should seek the advice and care of a physician trained in age-management medicine.

What are you gonna do about it?

"I was all for it when my wife told me she was going to get some help for her menopause symptoms," says Morgan Ayers, a BodyLogicMD of Phoenix patient. "Then she told me she had made an appointment for me because she was convinced I was going through ?The Change? too. I laughed it off at first, but when I spoke to the doctor, I realized she was right. I didn't think I was having any 'symptoms? - I just blamed my fatigue, hair loss and lower sex drive on my schedule, the stress of my job, getting older and everything else I've got going on. I have to admit she was right. I worked with my doctor to incorporate hormone replacement therapy with some other lifestyle changes and I am feeling better than ever!"

Hormone imbalance does not discriminate - men as young as 40 can suffer many of the same symptoms as women experiencing menopause.

With a society so focused on health and youth, it's no surprise that men are becoming as concerned with aging as we have come to assume women are. Men in the Baby Boomer generation are showing more willingness to explore their age-management options - and to admitting they could use some help.

My male patients have been so used to walking around as if they have Superman tattooed on their chests and can push their way through anything. Once they get past the initial shock of having their hormones checked, they do experience a certain sense of relief when they learn that the symptoms of andropause can be managed very successfully. In addition to seeing the positive physical effects and feeling better, the bonus is the effect balanced hormones can have on lowering the risk for other health problems, including heart disease and osteoporosis.

Many times, we find that a variety of factors contribute to the onset of andropause, and understanding those is the key to developing an individualized treatment plan for each of my patients. There is no magic bullet, but a combination of BHRT, fitness and nutrition can put a man back on a balanced track.

Getting from Point A(ndropause) to Point B(alance)

The first step is to find the right physician to address your symptoms and the possibility of a drop in testosterone or other hormone imbalance. You should undergo a thorough evaluation, to include diagnostic tests such as saliva, urine and/or blood tests to determine the specific hormone levels and pinpoint hormonal needs. Once therapy has begun, there should be regular monitoring and re-evaluation of hormone levels to ensure that the optimum balance has been struck and maintained. BodyLogicMD affiliated physicians rely upon these specialized tests as well as an individualized program of BHRT, fitness and nutrition to help men manage the symptoms of andropause.

More than ever before, we are seeing men in our practice who know there is something wrong - and they actually recognize some of the same symptoms in themselves that they hear their wives, girlfriends, sisters and mothers complaining about. Women may have started the conversation, but men are more and more willing to join in. When they hear that BHRT is working for women, men want to know how they can get on the train. Interestingly, it's not just the men at the younger end of the spectrum who come to us for help, but also the men in their 70s who can benefit - and do.