Men and Hormones

Men & Hormones
Andropause

If we knew we could replace our hormones, they would be flocking to their doctors. Bio-identical hormones: Why is it difficult to get doctors to come along with this thinking? Why can't we do something different? Generally, fear of criticism by our peers. We are exercising, we are eating well, we don't smoke, don't drink. Testosterone levels are dropping from when we were 20, why not raise them? If we want quality of life and fun, we have to take responsibility for our own health. Lower testosterone levels, coronary heart disease is associated with lower testosterone levels. It is not just erectile dysfunction and libido. To be healthy, men must have adequate testosterone. Estrogen dominance may cause cancer in men. When we check testosterone levels, were they normal for a 50 year old? or a 20 year old? D.H.E.A. is the most plentiful hormone in our body. It converts into other hormones like testosterone, causes a positive effect on brain, immune system, organs and muscles. DHEA drops off after 30 and can be negligible after 60. Saliva or blood tests for men will reveal levels - optimal level is between 250-450. Get tested.

50 milligrams DHEA a day is very safe (if a person has certain types of cancer, it may be a potential concern). Lower testosterone inhibits physical, sexual and cognitive functions, increase in abdominal fat and shrinking muscles, sense of loss of well being, fatigue, depression, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction (could be prostate and heart disease). All are related to hormone imbalances that are correctible with diet, exercise and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.

Most men shrink, run and hide from therapy or discussion of this nature. We don't want to suffer these side effects if we don't have to when all is not well. Hormonal decline is correctible. Andropause is the real loss of testosterone, DHEA and growth hormone, a slow decline - it takes men 10-20 years to drain out to a problem stage. This decline can be slowed or reversed with bio-identical hormone replacement.

Real hormone replacement improves the quality of life. Testosterone starts dropping off in early 30's, by 70 it is typical to have half the testosterone level. The erection is the last thing to go. Before that we lose vitality, are tired or worn out, belly expanded and your doctor starts telling you 'watch your cholesterol'. You go on anti-cholesterol drugs. These may actually work against us (may inhibit the brain making its own cholesterol, if you inhibit the brain from making its own cholesterol, that prevents its own neuro protective hormones from being produced that prevents Alzheimer's. Research shows people with higher levels of cholesterol have a lower incidence of Alzheimer's. Testosterone loss is serious stuff, it builds bone and muscle, it is vital to keep the heart muscle strong and pumping, keeps cholesterol and blood pressure down. A sexual desire is promoted - without it our muscles wither noticeably.

A man with loss of testosterone can work out all day and exercise without any results. Low levels can be reversed with replacement. It in part tells the brain that all is well. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy keeps your insides young and disease free. Why are men not taking advantage of this therapy? Maybe that doctors do not understand the male hormonal system. Of all declines, loss of testosterone is the most common deficiency of men over 40. Non-existent or low sex drive is the last symptom to show up. Before that, physical and emotional changes take place.

Optimal range for testosterone is between 6000 & 9000 pg/ml - the level you see in young healthy men. We feel best when levels are in the 99.7% range - free or available testosterone should be around 25-35 pg/ml. If your numbers are low, a doctor can prescribe bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, patches, creams, gels, tablets or injections. A prescription is required.

Treatment can restore levels, hormone decline will not stop if left untreated, it doesn't go away if ignored. Hormone replacement will need to be increased as you go along year after year.

*If one's eyesight decreases, you get glasses or laser surgery. If you get a disease, you operate or treat it. Why aren't we treating this?

Prostate problems begin without enough testosterone. A full complement of hormones and a man does not have to expect prostate cancer. One can head off prostate problems with bio-identical hormone testosterone replacement.

Estrogen to testosterone balance with testosterone replacement gives health benefits, protects against heart disease, mental decline, prostate disease and problems, loss of libido and deteriorating muscles. High testosterone levels are not a risk factor. High estrogen levels would be. Problems occur only in testosterone decline. Absence of testosterone takes away quality of life and it signals the brain that all is not well. We can put back what is missing and put back hormones into balance and stop the decline. Maintaining healthy levels is the one most important thing a man can do to protect health of the prostate.

In Europe, testosterone replacement is being used as treatment for prostate cancer with great results (Doctor Miller Life Extension Revolution). Young men make loads of testosterone and prostate cancer is rare among them. Testosterone must be replaced in the correct amounts with bio-identical hormones. Testosterone levels must be checked, also estrogen. Too much estrogen in a man's body becomes feminized, vitality diminishes, energy dissipates. Andropause can be corrected and treated successfully by determining the correct amounts to replace. Too much estrogen, not enough testosterone, dropping DHEA levels, low HGH levels are all correctable. The objective is not to push levels higher, but to return to the body's healthiest prime state. We don't want levels that are normal for our age (50 or whatever), those levels are on a decline. We want them as when we were at our best and healthiest (24-30). Men from 40-80's can have hormonal levels maintained similar to their healthiest physical peak.

Results can be spectacular. Hormone therapy is a creative, collaboration between doctor and patient using science, observation, intuition and insight. Hormones are not something one plays around with on their own. Right levels, right balance, makes us feel better than ever and have good energy. The best friend one can have regarding one's health is their doctor. No matter how far you have to go, your life and health are worth it.

In testosterone decline, estrogen will eventually pass testosterone production. We men get the estrogen we need from testosterone and DHEA. Estrogen levels go down slower than testosterone. Obese men have higher estrogen production and little or no testosterone. Men with higher estrogen have an increase in problems with heart attacks. Men who have middle age spread are high in estrogen, and are more at risk for strokes and heart attacks.

Statins: Cholesterol lowering drugs, in long term studies fail to show any improvements in the overall mortality rate. Statins could cause the brain itself to lower or stop its own manufacture of cholesterol which the brain needs to make its own neurosteroids. Statins could work against us. If you inhibit the brain from making its own cholesterol, you are inhibiting the brain from making its own neuroprotective hormones that control the Alzheimer's process. Low cholesterol means higher risk of Alzheimer's. Men start getting artery plaquing when their testosterone is declining well before they become deficient. Plaques don't form when hormone balance is healthy.

Some men have high testosterone but very little free testosterone. Check sex hormone binding globulin - aught to be in the middle range. If sex hormone binding globulin is too high, very little free testosterone is on hand, bring it back to the middle range. There are natural products or drugs to lower the sex hormone binding globulin which would make more free testosterone available.

Few people will find doctors willing to think along the lines of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. We have what we need at hand, we need a learning curve to replace declining hormones. Get your hormones fine tuned and experience the positive effects and get healthier. With balanced hormones there is improvement in overall mortality. Balanced hormones mean that you are going to be at your healthiest. Testosterone does not cause prostate cancer.

Testosterone deficiency is likely to be a primary contributor to erectile dysfunction.

Returning testosterone levels to the 20-30 year level is about getting one's life back and to improve the quality of life. Drugs such as cialis, viagra, etc. may have undesirable side effects, headaches, FDA reports sudden hearing loss. Testosterone drives the libido, increases desire so that drugs like cialis, if necessary, can be more effective. When testosterone is increased and hormones are in balance, viagra and cialis are usually not necessary. For some human growth hormone replacement does the job. Expense is a problem. DHEA is usually more cost effective. The goal is to extend and enrich quality of life, diet, exercise, vitamin supplements, replace lost hormones, sustain muscle mass, be leaner, healthier and keep up bone density. Testosterone and estrogen need to be kept in balance for this to happen and for one to have an improved sex life. Estrogen level should be 50 psa .2-.5(?) Add testosterone, see if results respond favourably. The second half of life doesn't need to be one of degeneration, low libido and low energy.

Get your doctor to check for primary or secondary hypogonadism, primary meaning that testicles are not producing enough testosterone. Secondary is problem with pituitary gland or hypothalamus gland - means testicles are not stimulated enough to produce testosterone. HGH replacement if deficient.

Bio-identical hormone replacement enriches life. Ongoing testosterone loss is currently being handled with viagra, cialis. Little by little the eventual loss shows up as cancer, heart attacks, Alzheimer's or all three. We're on our own unless you have a doctor who gets the point of replacement therapy. The search for the solution will ultimately save your life if you find and have balanced bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. You need to replace your hormones as needed to when they were at your 20-30 year old levels. Hormones that are normal for your age won't regain your sex life, nor sexual feelings back. Don't let your doctor sell you on 'your levels are normal for your age'. You want to be restored to your healthiest prime. If your doctor is uncooperative, thank him, leave to continue your search.