Andropause Symptoms And Solutions for Active Men

Andropause is often referred to as male menopause, since it has to do with low levels of testosterone.  Understanding andropause symptoms can help your pinpoint the reason why certain things seem to be happening, and motivate you to talk with a physician about treatment options.  Here are some of the more common signs associated with the condition.

Fatigue

One of the more common andropause symptoms is fatigue.  More than simply feeling the need for a nap, physical and mental fatigue can make it difficult to function at home or at work. Since so many different health issues can lead to a loss of energy and brain fog, you should see a physician and undergo a series of tests to find out if your testosterone levels are within a normal range.  If not, replacement therapy may be what you need to feel more like yourself again.  

Irritability and Moodiness

People who are normally balanced in their moods and temperaments will find that this condition causes them to become upset about things that never bothered them in the past.  Among all the andropause symptoms, this is the one that is most likely to cause damage to relationships.  You may find yourself wondering why things that were never a big deal before now fill you with such rage.  The underlying issue could be that your balance of androgens is out of sync.

Loss of Interest in Sex

Another of the more discomfiting andropause symptoms is a loss of libido.  In times past, you looked forward to intimate time with your partner.  The sensation of being together brought you a great deal of happiness.  Now, it seems as if you are only going through the motions at best.  Even if your partner seems to be satisfied, you don’t get much pleasure from the encounter.

Erectile Dysfunction

In more advanced stages, andropause can interfere with the ability to achieve and sustain an erection.  If your physician checks your levels and finds they are low, the treatments will gradually increase those levels and you will find that your ability to get aroused and stay that way returns.

Loss of Muscle Mass

Men are not the only ones who will lose muscle as a result of andropause. If you are finding that your workouts are not producing the results that came so easily in the past, low testosterone may be the culprit. A patch or injections may be what you need to get back on track.

Self-Doubt

Situations that you once faced without blinking an eye are now intimidating.  The prospect of going after a promotion or pursuing someone who you find interesting is impossible, simply because you feel you are not good enough.

Anxiety and Depression

Andropause symptoms are not limited to physical manifestations.  When you find that your mind will not stop racing or that you experience panic attacks for no apparent reason, it could be due to an androgen imbalance.  If you used to look forward to each day and not find that you have to drag yourself out of bed and only do what is absolutely necessary, you could have depression brought on by this condition.  

Keep in mind that all of the more common andropause symptoms are associated with other health issues.  The only way to be sure is to see a physician and undergo testing.  If the problem is low levels of testosterone, rest assured that you do not have to live this way the rest of your life.  With the right plan of action, you can get those levels back within a reasonable range and begin to feel good again.

Study Says: Post-menopausal hormone therapy cuts heart disease

New York: A team of US researchers has found that hormone therapy, when taken within six years of menopause, may slow the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis -- the primary underlying pathway that leads to heart disease and stroke.

The findings suggest that after a median of five years of hormone therapy, women in the early post-menopausal group who were taking estradiol, showed significantly less rate of blocked arteries -- a condition that can lead to heart disease and stroke, when measured against those taking the placebo. 

"Studies on hormone therapy and vascular degeneration, provides strong evidence that the cardiovascular benefits of hormone therapy are dependent on timing of initiation," said Howard N. Hodis from Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in the US.

The researchers examined the hypothesis that the cardiovascular effects of post-menopausal hormone therapy vary with the timing of hormone therapy initiation.

The team conducted a study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Early versus Late Intervention Trial with Estradiol (ELITE) in over 600 post-menopausal women with no history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

They were stratified into two groups: early post-menopause -- women who were within six years of menopause and late post-menopause -- women who were 10 years or more beyond menopause. 

Women in each group were randomly assigned to receive either oral estradiol -- with progesterone vaginal gel for those with a uterus or a placebo -- which included a placebo vaginal gel for those with a uterus. 

"ELITE provides proof of concept and first direct evidence from human investigation that timing of hormone therapy is imperative for success in the prevention of atherosclerosis progressio," Hodis added. 

"The stratification of participants into early and late post-menopause was a unique feature of ELITE. We believe that applying this design to further examination of heart disease prevention could ultimately prove immensely fruitful for women's health," Hodis noted.

The concept of timing of initiation of an intervention is likely applicable to most preventive approaches to cardiovascular disease in women, the authors stated.

Early Symptoms of Menopause: It's Not You, It's Me

As you age, natural fluctuations in hormones cause emotional and physical changes in your body. Menopause is of course a natural stage of a woman’s productive cycle. After you reach the average age of 40 to 45, you may start to experience symptoms of early menopause. From emotional symptoms such as mood swings to physical symptoms such as an increase in body temperature, the symptoms of early menopause are many and can be often. Here are some of the most common types of symptoms:

Mood Swings – If your mood is swinging from a happy high to an ultimate low, you may be experiencing hormone-induced mood swings, one of the most common of symptoms of early menopause. Mood swings during early menopause are normally caused by hormone changes and fluctuations in the body, specifically female ovarian hormones (like estrogen). It is normal to experience mood changes during early menopause, but you should be aware of your overall emotional state. If your daily mood swings are leaning towards a stronger stage of depression, it is important to seek appropriate treatment.

Hot Flashes – Another “classic” in the list of symptoms of early menopause, hot flashes are one of the most frequent side effects of menopause and affect the majority of women. During early menopause, you may experience a sudden change in body temperature, causing your face to flush red and your body to sweat. Many women also experience hot flashes during the night – or rather, “night sweats”.

Irregular Periods – If you are noticing irregular periods or your period tends to be on the very light or very heavy side, you may be experiencing symptoms of early menopause. Caused by your fluctuating hormone levels, an irregular period is a normal sign of menopause. Your periods may go from light to heavy, or vice-versa, range from a normal amount of days to several months in between. Periods during early menopause can change several times with no pattern at all… until finally they end completely.

Low Libido – One symptom of early menopause can be a decrease in libido, or sex drive. If your normal desire seems to wane or you are experiencing a disinterest in sexual activity, it may be your hormones to blame. A natural side effect of aging (and not just menopause), lower hormone levels can cause a decrease in your libido. Not to mention, sexual drive can be affected by many factors other than hormones. It is important to check your stress levels, physical health and overall happiness when it comes to your sexual health.

These are just a few of the symptoms of early menopause. If you are nearing the average age for early menopause (between 40-45 years) and experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to discuss different treatment options with your healthcare provider. Different treatments such as multivitamins, supplements or even hormone replacement can help lessen severe menopause side effects and help you get through this natural change with ease. Take control of your health today by taking charge of your early menopausal symptoms.