EPISODE 15 - ANDROPAUSE (MALE CLIMATERIC)

Until recently, it was thought that men have no problems with their hormones. A lot of men feel funny about certain aspects of life, core person-hood, waist pain, pain in the fingers, more susceptible to slip discs, discomforts in urinary tract but do not relate them to biology or psychology.

But just as it is reported in women n their forties, symptoms of clogs in the diameter of the blood vessels, heightened anxiety and the possible disruption in the tempo and efficiency of their job, chronic fatigue and lassitude eventually overflows into their sex life. Fats accumulate in the body and blood vessels narrowing the blood vessels and so increasing the tendency to have heart disease, O₂ to brain -> compromised mental efficiency.

Symptoms are remarkable in only about 10-15% population of the male mid-lifers.

Causes

From 30yrs -> testosterone level by 10% every decade. At the same time, SHBG traps much circulating male hormone making it unavailable to exert its effect in tissues.

ANDROPAUSE is associated with LOW BIOAVAILABLE male hormone level. This male hormone is involved in building protein, in sexual behavior, in production of blood cells in the bone marrow, in fat and metabolism, liver function and prostrates gland growth.

And So Typical Symptoms are

·       Low sex drive

·       Emotional, psychological and behavioral changes

·       Decreased muscle mass

·       Loss of muscle strength

·       Increased upper and central body fat

·       Weak bones and back pain

·       Cardiovascular risk

·       Sleep disturbances

·       Fatigue and depression

The bottom line in this overview is that if you have some of them and your medical checks do not seem to reveal any observable cause, then ask your doctor to run your hormone profile.

For a bio-available testosterone assay the end value ranges from 250-400ng /d/.