April 28, 2024
Is Male Menopause a Thing? Spoiler Alert! Yes, it is.
Categories:
Men's Health
The past few weeks I’ve noticed an increasing amount of an undiagnosed condition that we just don’t speak enough about. For many people- men and women alike- male menopause is a myth. In this week’s blog post I would like to bust this myth and introduce you to SUCH an important topic that you, or your male friends and family member might need to hear more about- Andropause aka Male Menopause.
What exactly is Andropause?
Andropause is the result of decreasing and insufficient Testosterone levels in men and usually presents from 40 years old and onwards. 90-95% of all Testosterone produced in men occurs within the Leydig cells in the testes and as men age, this production subtly and gradually decreases resulting in the clinical syndrome of Andropause
What is important to note is that Testosterone receptors are found all throughout the body, including in the brain, and as such, this hormone is responsible for multiple functions including memory, sleep, motivation, energy levels and sex drive amongst other things. Andropause is often considered an unavoidable consequence of aging and that’s not true- there are multiple ways to treat Andropause and help you get your groove back.
“Male menopause, often overlooked and misunderstood, is a real and treatable condition. Recognizing and addressing Andropause can restore vitality and improve quality of life, proving that men’s health issues deserve attention and care.”
Free Vs Bound Testosterone
Now, to activate these testosterone receptors one needs free testosterone. Free testosterone is any amount of testosterone not linked to a binding protein, usually 1-2%. Like most other hormones coursing through the body, most (98%) Test. Is transported by two major proteins- Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and Albumin. As we age, our SHBG naturally increases which means it binds more testosterone, leaving less free testosterone to work on receptors and achieve its function. When we look at treatment modalities for Andropause later, this will become important.
Why does it go undiagnosed?
Some of the common symptoms of Andropause look a lot like clinical depression, and include tiredness, lack of motivation, irritability, poor sleep quality, withdrawal from usual physical and social activity and weight gain or difficulty losing weight. Both of these conditions have a subtle and gradual onset, and both often have no identifiable stressor that triggered these feelings. Both should also not be taken lightly and require diagnosis by a medical doctor. It is usually in blood tests that they are differentiated.
There are other common symptoms that accompany Andropause such as a decreased capacity of physical endurance. This is directly related to decrease muscle mass and strength that accompanies Andropause. There is also an accumulation of fat around the waist (hello, beer belly), with thinning arms, a flattened bum and male patterned baldness. Think Homer Simpson. Underlying the outer changes is also a weakened bone structure and density, resulting in osteoporosis.
Feeling off?
Because of the natural decline in Testosterone occurring over a decade, it can be hard for men to pin point as to why they feel, “off”. This then leads to trying to compensate for this phenomenon and cue the “midlife crisis” of excessive spending and risk taking behaviour, trying to regain a sense of normality and masculinity. This is another area that is greatly affected by Andropause and usually the only way low testosterone levels are diagnosed- sexual symptoms.
These include lack of sex drive, erectile dysfunction that is inconsistent and intermittent (I.e. not permanent), along with a lack and decreased intensity of climax. Now these symptoms of can also be caused by other conditions such as diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol and high blood pressure so if you identify with any of the symptoms above, please go see your doctor.
Getting diagnosed
First things first, if you can relate to the above symptomatology (or known someone that meets the above criteria) you can complete an A.D.A.M. Questionnaire which stands for, “Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males”. If you answer yes to Questions 1,3 and 7, there is a strong correlation with Andropause, with high sensitivity and specificity. Please go see your doctor who will then do further blood tests. I recommend an annual check up for every person over the age of 40 where most chronic diseases start rearing their heads for preventative and curative health.
I have Andropause, what now?
So glad you asked. Remember that SHBG we spoke about earlier on with free and unbound testosterone? Something that naturally increases testosterone levels by reducing SHBG is Nettle Root, a totally natural adaptogen that can assist with Andropause.
Testosterone can be safely and effectively replaced. When we speak about testosterone, it is not to be confused with the bulking hormone used illicitly in gyms and locker rooms around the world. Those are anabolic steroids, that are uncontrolled and unregulated when they are produced, meaning they are unstable and have an unpredictable response. They usually cause bodily nodular acne, mood swings, and aggression. They are to be avoided, especially during Andropause.
Male menopause feels like one of those taboo subjects that nobody speaks about, and thus, so many men go untreated. Personally, I find this devastating, because I know the solution to be simple and effective. I have seen the amazing life effects of properly treating Andropause in my patients, which affects every area of a mans life (especially in the relationship area). Relationships can be restored, and the “kefi” for life restored through proper diagnosis and treatment of Andropause.
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