Tag: hot flashes

Male Menopause, does it exist?

Today’s topic is Male Menopause, does it exist?

Recently I was having this discussion with some male colleagues. The general opinion was that men’s testosterone levels slowly decline as they age, but without ‘menopausal like’ symptoms.

After refreshing my knowledge, this is what I can report.

There have been several articles written about this subject. The medical community is debating whether or not men really do go through a well-defined menopause. However there does seem to be some consensus that some men suffer from ‘Andropause’.

Andropause?

This term is used to describe age-related changes in male hormone levels.

The same group of symptoms is also known as testosterone deficiency, androgen deficiency, and late-onset hypogonadism.

Andropause involves a drop in testosterone production in men who are age 50 or older. It’s often affiliated with hypogonadism. Both conditions involve lowered testosterone levels and similar symptoms.

Typically as men age, their testosterone levels will begin to drop. According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone levels tend to decline an average of 1% per year after men turn 30. Some health conditions can cause earlier or more drastic declines in the testosterone levels.

Andropause can actually cause physical, sexual, and psychological problems.

As with female menopause, they typically worsen, as you get older.

The symptoms may include:

  • low energy
  • depression or sadness
  • decreased motivation
  • lowered self-confidence
  • difficulty concentrating
  • insomnia or difficulty sleeping
  • increased body fat
  • reduced muscle mass and feelings of physical weakness
  • gynecomastia, or development of breasts
  • decreased bone density
  • erectile dysfunction
  • reduced libido
  • infertility

Some men may also experience swollen or tender ‘breasts’, decreased testicle size, loss of body hair or hot flashes.

Ladies, does this all sound a bit familiar?

Sounds like ‘male menopause’ to me.

Low levels of testosterone associated with andropause have also been linked to osteoporosis. This is a condition where your bones become weak and brittle. These are rare symptoms. They typically affect men at the same age as women entering menopause.

Andropause or male menopause differs from female menopause in several ways.

For one thing, not all men experience it. For another, it doesn’t involve a complete shutdown of the reproductive organs. The testes, unlike the ovaries, do not run out of the substance it needs to make testosterone. It’s well known that a healthy man may be able to make sperm well into his 80s or later.

Well, whether you call it ‘Andropause’ or ‘Male Menopause’, I think it is fair to say that for both sexes, as we get older, our diminishing hormones can make our lives a little challenging.

Till the next post,

Live Clean n Prosper

Coping with Menopause or Perimenopause

Todays post is about Menopause, or is it Perimenopause?

Lately the topic of menopause has been coming up in conversation with several of my friends and work colleagues. Probably because we are all around an age where menopause is starting to affect our lives in some way.

For me personally, the most common symptom of ‘hot flushes’ started about 2 years ago.

They were only occurring every so often at first. I visited my G.P. and he advised that this was probably the start of ‘perimenopause’. This was a new term for me and it was the beginning of some new learning.

I think most of us have the terminology wrong. We think that the term ‘Menopause’ relates to the period when we are actually suffering from ‘hot flushes, night sweats, irritability and disruptive sleep. In fact, Perimenopause refers to the time when the symptoms start.

Changing levels of hormone production in our bodies, particularly the reduction of oestrogen produced in our ovaries, are the cause.  Typically symptoms start in the mid-40s and at this stage the symptoms may be mild. This is what is called the perimenopause.

The duration of these symptoms is different for everyone and can last from months to several years. The term Menopause actually refers to the total cessation of menstrual periods as well as a decrease in oestrogen and progesterone production by the ovaries.

Now all of this is very educational, but dealing with the symptoms is different for everyone.

I have chosen to deal with the symptoms by taking specific nutritional supplements.

A friend of mine introduced me to a company that manufactures a supplement specifically for the transitioning hormones of women.

I am so grateful to my friend for sharing this with me, as the results have been fabulous.

My sleep was also starting to become restless, so I started using a natural hormone balancing cream and a supplement at night to aid my sleep.

I can honestly say that I can no longer go without these  items. They are what keep the ‘heat’ away and keep my sleep restful.

So, why are they great?

First, the supplement contains herbal ingredients such as Black Cohosh and Red Clover. These herbs have been used for centuries to help relieve menopausal symptoms.

Next, the hormone balancing cream called Balancing cream. This fantastic smelling cream contains herbs such as Wild Yam and Chaste Tree, which have been used to relieve menopausal symptoms for centuries. It also contains the essential oils of Roman chamomile, lavender, ylang ylang and geranium, which help to relax you and ease stress.

Finally, to help with sleep and general stress – Stress Health. This supplement contains a compound called Lactium, which inhibits the stress response.

St Johns Wort, which also helps reduce anxiety, and Valerian, a herb that has been used for centuries to treat insomnia.

Together these 3 things have been essential in my daily routine to make this ‘Menopausal’ stage a negligible obstacle. I have included the links to the website where I purchase my supplements, if you wish to know more.

There is so much information, as well as remedies, available to us. It just takes a little research to find out what works for you. As always, I prefer to try the most natural approach first.

Till the next post,

Live Clean n Prosper