What's Male Menopause?

by Glen Depke

I want to first share that there is so much information available on menopausal symptoms for women. Unfortunately much of this information is inadequate but at least there is some level of focus and understanding. About the only focus on male menopause is the occasional commercial on the radio to sell some supplements to enhance testosterone production.

With today’s article you will understand that increasing your testosterone level may actually be making your worse. It is unfortunate that most of the information available is based on the false information that this is only an endocrine dysfunction. This is truly a neuroendocrine immunological disorder. You’ll understand soon.

Let’s start with the fact that what most know as male menopause is properly referred to as andropause. I know, so now what is andropause?

It is always easiest to first describe what most men will feel when they are experiencing andropause.

•       Do you recognize a lack of passion?
•       Lack of drive?
•       Lack of motivation?
•       Do you find yourself more interesting in the couch than much of anything else?

Unlike the dramatic changes that women will occur when they are experiencing symptoms of menopause, the age related hormonal changes in men occur gradually throughout many years and are not as obvious.

I also want you to understand that andropause is not an age thing. Often men can be experiencing andropause early in adulthood. There really is not magic age of hormonal dysfunction for men as generally recognized in women.

Of the ten most common causes of death in men, this is a list that would tie directly into andropause.

•       Heart disease
•       Stroke
•       Diabetes
•       Suicide (Depression)
•        Alzheimer’s disease

You’ve waited long enough. Here is the answer to “what is andropause?”

The first understanding is that the shift into andropause is generally caused by chronic inflammatory conditions or chronic insulin challenges. Obviously the insulin challenges are typically nutritionally based but most do not understand that the chronic inflammation is also typically nutritionally based. When we eat foods that drive up blood glucose levels this creates insulin issues and when we consume foods that we are intolerant to, we create chronic inflammation.

Once we are experiencing this chronic insulin reaction and/or chronic inflammation, this leads to altered androgen balance. This leads to further systemic inflammation and further gut challenges. In turn, this will lead to brain issues, obesity and vascular disorders.

Ouch!

All this without recognition until it seems to be too late. The good news is that even if you’re already in the midst of this chaos, it’s not too late.

I also want you to think about what I mentioned earlier, this is not only a hormonal issue. This is also an immunological and brain issue. If you only address the hormonal issue you may not only be missing the boat, you may actually be making this worse.

If you have had your hormones checked and your practitioner told you that your testosterone levels are low and you are now taking supplemental testosterone, you could be worsening your issues. This is because one of the patterns of male aging is the aromatization of testosterone into estrogens. Basically this is due to an enzyme that creates this conversion.

Yes, you heard it correct, you could be converting your testosterone to estrogen type hormones. All right guys, is there anyone ready this that feels they want or need more estrogen?

I think not!

There are other patterns that may lead to depressed free testosterone, which is so important to us men. This could also be tied into the precursors of testosterone production being inhibited or other forms of testosterone production that react poorly to testosterone receptors.

I know some of this may get a bit technical, but at least understand the importance of understanding what is going on and addressing this properly.

There is nothing worse than following a protocol to build your health, only to find that you are worsening your situation.

If you are suspecting that andropause is a challenge for you, feel free to register here for a complimentary 20 minute phone session to understand the steps needed to find your health and balance.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please leave these below for me to address personally.