Low Testosterone / Andropause / Male Menopause

Men go through a middle age hormonal decline similarly to women. Termed andropause, it’s generally the result of declining testosterone levels. In reality, a man’s testosterone levels begin a low, long decent in his late 3rd decade, or 20’s! Because this decline is almost imperceptible, in most instances low testosterone levels don’t cause symptoms until a man is in his late 40’s or 50’s. This is different than women, who go through menopause much more rapidly, which is typically over the course of just a couple of years.

And while it’s become commonplace for men to be prescribed testosterone replacement therapy in their 30’s and 40’s this isn’t likely due to andropause, but other lifestyle factors that contribute to the suppression of testosterone.

In effect, we’re dealing with two different issues here - lifestyle-induced low testosterone, and natural, age-related declines in testosterone. However, both situations have the same end-results caused by low testosterone.

Main Symptoms of Andropause:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Loss of muscle mass
• Low libido
• Erectile dysfunction
• Poor performance
• Poor recovery
  

Additionally, low testosterone levels are associated with poorer outcomes of several chronic diseases:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Prostate disease
• Depression, anxiety and stress
• Ongoing fatigue
• Aches & pains
• Impotence

Andropause is something that seems to sneak up on men - they’ll typically notice a gradual decline in energy, drive, motivation and an increase in weight over the years, until one day the symptoms pile up.

Regardless of a man’s age, there are 3 lifestyle factors that block a man’s production of testosterone. These include:

1. Sedentary lifestyle - Not surprisingly a sedentary lifestyle is associated with lower testosterone levels in men. A single bout of moderate cardiovascular exercise was shown to increase serum testosterone levels by 39%. Regular strength training that builds muscle mass will continue to increase testosterone levels as well.
2. Overweight and obesity - fat is a metabolically active tissue and nearly all of its actions oppose testosterone production. Fat tissue is also a driver, or producer of estrogens. While some small levels of estrogens are normal in men, excessive levels oppose the production of testosterone and its effects in the body.
3. Excess alcohol consumption - moderate to heavy alcohol consumption interferes with the hormone cascade which starts in the brain and influences the testicles to make testosterone. Anyone suffering from low testosterone will benefit from abstain from all but the smallest amounts of alcohol.

Natural Testosterone Support

1. Our main go-to for supporting testosterone levels naturally, for real is Men’s Vitality. It contains the 9 most important botanical medicines known for boosting testosterone and male energy, along with nitric-oxide producing amino acids that improve muscular and sexual performance. We’ve used this in clinic for years with awesome results!
2. Vitamin D has gained more of a focus for its role in testosterone production. Several studies have shown an association between low vitamin D and poor testosterone production. Due to its numerous other beneficial effects, vitamin D supplementation should be a part of every man’s testosterone support regimen.
3. DHEA is excellent for raising testosterone levels in women, but doesn’t have the same effect in men. In fact, men supplementing with DHEA will experience an increase in estrogens. However, men who supplement with DHEA can experience improvements in erectile dysfunction, libido and sexual performance; these affects are thought to be due to the pro-hormonal effects of DHEA on other androgens (the group of testosterone-like) hormones.(1). Keep in mind that DHEA is a banned supplement in professional sports. 
   

Curious what your testosterone and DHEA levels are? You can easily find out by using a home saliva test kit. Simply fill a tube with saliva first thing in the morning and send it off and get your results in a week.

Prostate issues always seem to come up with the subject of men’s health. Here’s a detailed article on how to maintain prostate health.

(1) Reiter WJ, Pycha A, Schatzl G, et al. Dehydroepiandosterone in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Urol 1999; 53:590-5.