What Every Woman Should Know About Andropause!

Ladies, don't think you have the corner on emotional highs and lows in midlife!  We aren't the only ones going through hormone "withdrawal" and the emotional roller coaster that goes with it. Most men have to deal with this too! 

Andropause, male menopause, or partial androgen deficiency in the ageing male (PADAM), is a normal part of aging for guys.  However, for some men the drop in androgen levels can lead to an undesirable decline in sexuality, low energy, loss in physical agility and changes in mood.  At a time when life offers many rewards it can be frustrating to have to deal with this, especially when health risks may accompany this decline. 

Like menopause, andropause is caused by drops in hormone levels.  For menopause it's estrogen, for andropause it's testosterone.  This drop can increase a man's risk of developing heart disease and weak bones.

It happens at about the same time a woman starts transitioning, between 45-55 years of age.  A man's transition however, is not as clearly marked as a woman's.  When our periods stop we know we are into menopause.  Men's transition is more gradual and may extend over several decades.  And when most symptoms happen during the time a man starts questioning his life, accomplishments and values it may be hard to pinpoint whether it's a spiritual or physical manifestation.

Men experience a decline in testosterone levels starting at the age of thirty, after which it declines at the rate of about 10% per decade. During that time, sex binding hormone globulin (SBHG) levels are increasing. SBHG makes circulating testosterone unavailable to body tissues.  Bioavailable testosterone is what's left over for the body to use.  Symptoms of andropause are caused by the decrease in bioavailable testosterone.  It is suggested that 30% of men experience low enough levels of bioavailable testosterone to have symptoms of andropause while others believe it is a symptom of aging.

Changes happen to a man when the testosterone dependent organs receive decreasing amounts of bioavailable hormone. Some of the responses to low levels of bioavailable testosterone are:

• Low sex drive
• Emotional or behavioural changes
• Decrease in muscle mass
• Loss of muscle strength
• Increased body fat in upper and central body area
• Weak bones, bone pain, osteoporosis
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease

You're probably wondering at this point what can be done.  Testosterone supplementation is the allopathic answer but that comes with its own list of side effects and concerns. 

To learn more about adjusting to this phase of your life, how to work with the body's natural changes, how to minimize the risk factors for some of the above change and how to slow down the decrease of testosterone, Dr. John Yim will be presenting a SelfCare lecture at #2 - 1551 Estevan Rd. Nanaimo. Find out what you can do to counter some of the negative effects of male menopause.  Call 755-1930 to reserve your seat as it is limited seating.  Cost is by donation.