ANDROPAUSE: LOW TESTOSTERONE

Hypogonadism is the clinical term for low levels of serum testosterone in association with specific signs and symptoms, including:

Contrary to popular belief, males have their own particular sort of menopause, better known as andropause. Until age 30, testosterone levels remain relatively constant in men, spiking at semi-regular intervals, but afterward, they begin to decrease. The decline is more gradual than that of the female hormones and is therefore more elusive. This decrease represents a real decline in male health, since testosterone may decrease the risk of heart disease, increase llibido, prevent osteoporosis, and increase lean body mass, while also lowering insulin resistance and decreasing LDL and total cholesterol. Arguably, testosterone is the male hormone. As men advance in years, the fine balance between testosterone and estrogen begins to lean toward an increase in estrogen production. Luteinizing hormone, a pituitary hormone which stimulates testosterone production, is also decreased by estradiol. So, the result of aging in a male is an overall decrease in the masculine hormone responsible for strength and muscle integrity in favor of the very hormone associated with femininity. In the past, testosterone therapy was avoided, since it was thought to cause male-pattern baldness, urinary difficulties, and prostate cancer in older men. Meanwhile, it was also well known that it increased vitality, sexual prowess, bone mass, and muscle building in younger men. This led to a more vigorous investigation. After some significant follow-up research, it was discovered that, while levels of testosterone are emphasized in young men, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) becomes more active with age due to a conversion by an enzyme known as 5-Alpha reductase. This awareness resulted in further discernment regarding testosterone’s specific effects in the body.

Subsequent research indicated that this conversion into DHT led to benign prostatic hypertrophy (a condition. which leads to urinary difficulty). As a result, the FDA approved a chemical solution, known as a b5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Though the treatment was effective, it unfortunately also led to sexual side effects including impotence, decreased libido, and premature ejaculation. What is worse is that a study at the University of California found that users of such inhibitors had an 800% higher incidence of developing prostrate tumors than men who had no treatment whatsoever. All of this indicated that the male body was more complex than originally assumed. Upon further observation, it was learned that the average 60-year-old man has a higher estrogen blood profile than does a woman of his same age. Such a revelation was shocking. Even more so, though it is known that estrogen has favorable effects on menopausal women, it was learned that it has the very opposite effect in men. This dangerous conversion is the result of aromatase, which converts both testosterone and androstenedione to estradial.

It is this imbalance between levels of DHT and estradiol that has the potential to also lead to prostate difficulties. Therefore, a complete hormone panel, including total testosterone, DHT, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol, progesterone, and a PSA test for prostate, must be utilized with trained knowledge to formulate an effective treatment plan in order to facilitate an ease of prostatic inflammation. While there are several synthetic aromatase inhibitors on the market for prescription, there are also available natural alternatives. For example, chrysin is often used in combination with bio-identical progesterone to inhibit aromatization of testosterone even during direct intramuscular therapy. AgeVitál also utilizes saw palmetto, zinc, tribulis terrestris, magnesium, and indoor-3-carbinole to improve proper hormonal balance in males.

Therapy is recommended for people who have Low levels of testosterone in the blood (less than 600 ng/dl) Symptoms of Low Testosterone