Male Andropause

by Brad Mason
(Toronto, Canada)

Since its discovery in the 1940’s much has been learned about Andropause, a male equivalent of the female condition known as Menopause. As the medical community continues probe this problem further, new answers are discovered on an on going basis. Not all questions are answered and of course the perfect treatment is yet to be found, but what we do know about Andropause is sufficient to develop natural treatment s which will aid men around the world to cope.

Just as the lack of Estrogen is responsible for the onset of Menopause in women in their late forties and beyond, the male hormone Testosterone form the family of hormones known as “Androgens” is responsible for Andropause. There are more similarities with male Andropause and female Menopause than there are differences.

The similarities between male andropause and female menopause include:
• Lack of sex drive
• Mood swings
• Weight gain (especially around the mid section)
• Decrease in bone density (cause for osteoporosis)
• Decrease in muscle mass

The differences on the other hand are that men do not experience hot flashes and women do not tend to go bald; although they may experience some hair loss. Also men in general men do not exhibit some of the other symptoms commonly experienced by women, such as “rapid heart beat”, “ringing of the ears”, or “memory lapses”.
Role of Testosterone in Andropause

The key hormone from the family of Androgens responsible for the onset of Andropause is testosterone. And the key reason for this is that testosterone levels in the male body decline by as much as 1% per year starting at age 20. Therefore it can be assumed that you will have 30% less testosterone at the age of 50 years old. In addition, this can translate into a proportionate decline in male libido or sexual desire. For many men this could also cause erectile dysfunction such as the inability to achieve a full erection.
Can this be stopped?

Unless we can find a cure for aging, which we have not done so, we cannot stop the onset of Andropause in men. However, we can slow down the process by using Testosterone therapy or using natural supplements which aid in the production of more testosterone so that impact of low testosterone is delayed.

There are several supplements available on the market consisting of biloba, used for thousands of years to promote proper blood circulation and improve your memory, and Muria Puama, which as aphrodisiac like properties to increase sexual desire. The supplements may also include Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-promoting agents, which is then converted into sex hormones.