Andropause is an onset of hormonal changes in men - mostly between the ages of
40 and 50, which is triggered by reduced testosterone levels.
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and is produced
in the testes. It affects all body cells and is responsible not only for sexual
development, but also for the specific skin, bone and muscle structure of men.
It is equally important for the production of red blood cells, which supply the
body with oxygen. Testosterone also plays a significant role in providing sexual
pleasure and emotional balance.
Around one’s middle years, however, the production of this
hormone gradually drops, and so do the testosterone levels in the blood. This
reduction causes problems for many affected men, including anxiety, aggression,
depression, increased body fat and weight, poor short-term memory, sleep
problems, daytime fatigue, lower sex drive (or rational desire for sex, but
sexual apathy), erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis and others.
There are considerable differences of opinion among experts
as to which of these symptoms actually indicate a so-called ‘andropause’ and
were initially caused by testosterone deficiency, because for each of the
symptoms in the list there could be other root causes, even if a reduced
testosterone level would actually be detected in a patient. Thus, in a way, the
so-called ‘testosterone replacement therapy’ is often not much more than a ‘shot
in the dark’.
Some doctors and hospitals today offer testosterone
replacement therapy without much hesitation to men, often with the particular
aim of helping them to regain their desire for a satisfying love life. However,
a hormone replacement therapy will not help at all if one simultaneously
depletes his bodies’ health and resources. It is remarkable and perhaps not
entirely coincidental that many men who are looking to start a hormone
replacement therapy are also often frivolous users of ‘fitness booster
medication’ (self-medicated) and ignore the risks, the worst of which
accelerates the development of an existing prostate cancer.
There are also proven health tips for men, which in contrast
to the artificial feeding of testosterone reliably pose no health risks and are
very well suited to raise the testosterone levels:
- Development of more self-discipline for a healthy lifestyle
- Balanced nutrition (more fruit and vegetables, low-fat)
- The waist circumference should be less than 100 cm
- Enough sleep
- Care for a balanced mental state. Mental stress or
depression leads to a significantly lower production of male sex hormones.
- Smoke and drink less
- Oats and ginseng have a testosterone-like effect, and an
extra portion of zinc also helps the testosterone levels: lobsters, oysters and
shrimp, soybeans, wheat bran and pumpkin seeds. Casanova was known to eat 40
oysters a day!
- Exercising also stimulates the production of testosterone
- Good sex helps to raise our hormone levels over a period of
up to two days and thus counteracts the natural way of deficiency.
Men have the luxury of being able to affect their hormone
levels through their lifestyle more than women, because their hormonal situation
does not change so abruptly and radically with age. In the “self test” on my
website you will find a self-test for testosterone deficiency, which can allow
an initial self-assessment. In case of doubt, a medical examination with blood
test is recommended.
|
Live the happy life you planned! Richard L.
Fellner is head of the Pattaya Counseling Center in Soi Khopai and
offers consultations in English and German languages (after making
appointments at 0854 370 470). |
