Andropause – The Male Menopause
An often over-looked fact is that men and women produce exactly the same hormones. As is the case in women, hormone levels become lower in men as they get older. Since hormones affect every system of the body, there are profound changes that occur as one ages.
Interestingly, it is more important for men to receive bio-identical hormone replacement than it is for women. The consequences of altered hormone levels in men may lead to coronary artery disease, Alzheimer’s disease, prostate cancer, osteoporosis, depression, etc.
Unquestionably, the most important hormone to be considered for replacement is testosterone. It is most often thought of as a sex hormone, and it is, but it has other functions that are probably more vital.
It is the main hormone for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies done by the National Institute of Health have confirmed this.
It is the number one hormone for heart tissue, affecting the coronary arteries themselves, the conduction system and most importantly, the heart muscle itself. There are more testosterone receptor sites in heart muscle than in any other muscle in the body. Two studies came out in 2003 demonstrating the use of testosterone in men with massive heart attacks. This is a situation that almost always results in the occurrence of congestive heart failure (CHF) – a weakening of the heart muscle resulting in the back up of fluid into the lungs and possibly the rest of the body. Those groups of men who received testosterone failed to develop CHF; the other group all went into failure.
The development of osteoporosis, although not as common in men as women, actually has more dire consequences. A fractured hip in a male, most commonly related to osteoporosis, has a 25% mortality rate in the first year of occurrence. Testosterone prevents and reverses osteoporosis.
An extremely common consequence of low testosterone levels in men is the onset of depression. They lose their interest in life, they lose their vigor; their joi de vie; their energy levels go down. Replacement of testosterone in these situations brings back energy, restores lost strength, replaces an interest in life and leads to the buildup of muscle.
Very often the libido returns. I’ve had male patients in their 70’s that hadn’t had sex in 25 years who are now having sex on a daily basis. Of course, their partner’s hormones had to be dealt with as well.
As with any other hormone, testosterone must be used correctly. Testosterone can convert into other hormones, which can create problems. It is often beneficial to have blood levels of testosterone determined.
About the Author
More information about this new book and Dr. Platt can be found at www.drplatt.com
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