UP IN ARMS OVER SEX

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feb-16What happens to your love life, as you get older?  Let’s separate fact from fiction. There is a demeaning stereotype that elicits a giant “YUCK-EEEWWW” from younger people when the topic of senior sex even comes up. Horny old broads, dirty old men. There is a movie out there now called Dirty Grampa with Robert DiNiro that defines what these kids are thinking. But is it the true portrayal of what’s going on sexually with seniors today?  What does that mean? That sex in older adults is taboo?  Virility plays a big role in our concept of manhood. There’s this idea you’re supposed to live up to: “Real men are always in the mood.”  Forget about it.  Major myth. As you reach your 50s, 60s. 70s and beyond you might be tempted to listen to all the negativity and believe your sex life is kaput, once and for all. Baloney. Ninety-three-year-old actress Betty White loves to talk about sex: “I may be a senior, but so what? I’m still hot.”

WHERE HAS YOUR SEX DRIVE DRIVEN?

Most seniors aren’t aware of all the roadblocks that come with age. They think something is wrong with them and that a lot of it is in their heads. As mentioned above, they are not supposed to want and have a healthy, rewarding sex life. For both men and women, sex starts to become nothing but a memory. The fact is, the majority of issues are physical. No one thing causes low libido.

The most common sexual problems for men are erection difficulty (37%), lack of interest in sex (28%), climaxing too quickly (28%), performance anxiety (27%), and inability to climax (20%).

Men’s changing bodies can tend to cause the entire male sexual response to slow down in a multitude of ways. There is a delay in erection. There is a need for more manual stimulation to achieve an erection. The phase between erection and ejaculation is prolonged. Orgasm is shorter and less forceful. The penis loses its firmness rapidly after ejaculation. The time interval before erection can be achieved again can be quite long. Ilnesses that can affect sexual performance include coronary artery disease, chronic lung disease, arthritis, prostate problems, even stress, depression, sleep apnea, diabetes stroke and medications, all of which also affect women. Anything that is bad for the blood vessels is bad for erections.”

Women’s body changes are mostly due to estrogen decreases that alter the thickness and size of a woman’s reproductive organs. These changes include loss of elasticity and a thinning of the vaginal tissue, decrease in the amount of lubrication, decrease in the size of the clitoral, vulvar and labial tissue and decreases in the size of the cervix, uterus and ovaries. Ouch. Sometimes it can really hurt.

SEX IN THE SIXTIES

Well folks, are you sitting down?  In reality there is a lot of action going on between the sheets among those over 60.  Data from the University of Chicago’s National Social Life, Health and Aging Project presented in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that many men and women remain sexually active even in their 70s and 80s. Sexually active Americans aged 57-85 have sex as often as those aged 18-59.

Sex after 60 is healthy. In fact, there really is no validity to statements that suggest sex after 60 is too strenuous and should be avoided due to the risks. A study by the National Commission on Aging (NCOA) showed that women, in particular, find sex over 70 as or more physically satisfying than they did in their 40s. In an interview with Helen Mirren, the Oscar winning actress, announced that sex in her youth was “paranoid and empty.” At the age of 69, she quoted that sex is “great, just wonderful.” A study by the National Commission on aging (NCOA) showed that women, in particular find sex over 70 more physically satisfying than they did in their 40s. So is sex in seniors the newest Fountain of Youth? The fact is, the level of sexual interest and activity among people over the age of 65 is as diverse as the individuals who make up that population. Sex may be different at that age, but it’s not diminished.

REV UP A LOW LIBIDO

Let’s start the whole process with some heavy-duty attitude change and a lot of knowledge. When it comes to aging, we are our own worst enemy. So first, dump the image issue. You’re not in your 20s and you don’t have the body and looks you had then. Wrinkles, baldness, bellies and sagging skin are facts of life as you age.  If you let this kill your self-esteem and keep you keeping your clothes on, you’re missing out big time. Get over it, and get on with having a rewarding, fulfilling and ongoing sex life.  Consider these facts to get you going:

Sex can cure headaches. One of the health benefits of sex is its ability to act as a pain reliever. The hormone oxytocin (sometimes referred to as the love hormone) is secreted within your body during sex causing endorphins (which are hormone-like chemicals that bear a close resemblance to morphine) to be released.  Studies have shown that a rise in oxytocin levels can relive everything from headaches to cramps and overall body aches.

Sex can reduce stress and help you sleep better. One survey revealed that people who have more sex reported that they felt more at ease, happier and learned how to handle stress better. People who enjoy a regular dose of sex convey that they sleep much better during the night and feel alive and refreshed throughout the day. So, one of the health benefits of sex is a better nights sleep, which allows you to handle day-to-day stress much more efficiently.

Sex can increase blood flow. It goes without saying that when we get aroused our blood starts to pump at a quicker rate and, thus, blood flow to our brain increases What this ultimately means is that the fresh supply of blood pumping through your body provides the organs with a healthy dose of oxygen and rids the body of old and wasteful products.

Here’s a fun one: believe it or not, sexual intercourse burns off 150 calories every half hour. Although the average couple engages in sex for approximately 25 minutes a session only three times a week, it still accounts for 450 calories that are better taken off than put on. A health benefit of sex, particularly a rigorous hour of sex, is that it may burn even more than 300 calories depending on how rigorous you get. I wouldn’t suggest getting a fitbit for it yet…

Although the orgasm is sometimes referred to as the “little death,” having at least two orgasms a week can increase your life span. Every time you reach orgasm, the hormone DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) increases in response to sexual excitement and ejaculation. DHEA can boost your immune system, repair tissue, improve cognition, keep skin healthy, and even work as an antidepressant. Therefore, a health benefit of sex if you keep the orgasms coming, is potentially a longer life.

DON’T BE SHY

Be willing to be flexible and adapt to change. Forget staring in the mirror all the time. Don’t be afraid to slow the process down. Realize that sexual arousal takes longer and requires more manual stimulation. Make the most of foreplay. Communicate. Share what makes you feel good with your partner. Don’t think discussing any physical problems will turn your partner off. Experiment. Lighting, candles, oils.  Try a new place. Different positions. And women…make adequate lubrication part of your routine to avoid irritation of the vagina or painful intercourse. In all this, we’re referring to couples. But don’t avoid pleasuring yourself.  Forget the “shouldn’ts, couldn’ts.” Masturbation is part of any healthy sex life. As people age, it is often more difficult to find a partner. Make yourself feel good. You certainly deserve it.

IT’S TIME FOR A CEASE FIRE

Hormone imbalances don’t just occur as part of the aging process, although it is often the case. But that doesn’t mean you should give up on living a robust and yes, sexual life. There is a way to address many of the issues you’re struggling with. Some, of course, are due to physical problems. But others could be the result of hormone imbalances, and the key to getting what you want. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a good way to start. Bioidentical hormones are hormones derived from natural sources, and have an exact structural match to the hormones produced by the human body. This “bioidentical” structure allows these hormones to follow the same pathways and act on the same receptors in the body as your own hormones.

Where can you find out if BHRT can help you?

WITH STEPHEN A. GOLDSTEIN, M.D, F.A.C.S. AT DENVER HORMONE HEALTH, ONCE YOU’RE THERE, YOU’VE GOT HIS FULL ATTENTION. FEW HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF BHRT AS HE DOES. YOU CAN DISCUSS ANYTHING WITH HIM. WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT BHRT IS?  HE’LL EXPLAIN IN DETAIL. HE’LL LAY OUT THE MANY WAYS BHRT COULD HELP YOU, AND GIVE YOU OPTIONS AS HOW TO PROCEED. COMPREHENSIVE TESTING AND EVALUATION WILL LET HIM ASSESS ANY ISSUES WITH YOUR HORMONE LEVELS AND WHAT HE CAN DO TO RESTORE IMBALANCES THAT ARE DETERRING YOU FROM LIVING THE LIFE YOU WANT, NO MATTER YOUR AGE.  FROM THERE HE CREATES INTEGRATED AND INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT PROGRAMS THAT COMBINE USING BHRT WITH PROPER NUTRITION AND EXERCISE.

CALL NOW TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A CONSULTATION. IT’S AMAZING HOW GOOD YOU’LL FEEL.

THE ESTROGEN INVASION

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feb-16No way around it, you float in an estrogen fluctuating womb before you’re born. If you happen to be born a girl, well…you’re going to find yourself giving over your whole life to this very exclusive hormone. Female estrogen is produced and secreted from the ovaries. In early childhood, the ovaries are relatively dormant and serve as a sort of warehouse for eggs. Yes, you are probably more than aware of its role in much of what we discuss below, but there are some things about estrogen you might not be that aware of:

Your daily life affects your estrogen levels and needs. Vigorous exercise or stress will make you use estrogen faster. Being ill, your body needs more estrogen to heal.

Estrogen can make your skin much more sensitive to both the sun and tanning beds.

Estrogen can play many different roles in cardiovascular health, helping prevent the buildup of plaque in your arteries, for example.  It can keep blood vessels flexible for better blood flow.

Estrogen is essential for a wide variety of brain functions one of which is creating common menopause symptoms.

Estrogen has been found to play a pivotal role in bone development and growth No or low estrogen can cause dry eyes, blurriness or ever a change in vision.

Low estrogen levels early in life can lead to postmenopausal osteoporosis in females.

You’d be amazed how fickle this fluctuating hormone can be.

NOT QUITE THERE YET

There’s a stage that comes before a young girl’s menstrual cycles; it’s called pre-pubescence, a rollercoaster of change when girls desperately try to fit in with others who aren’t there yet.  The first visible evidence of puberty in girls is a nickel-sized lump under one or both nipples. Breast buds, as these are called, typically occur around age nine or ten, although they may occur much earlier, or somewhat later. The girl may worry that something is wrong, especially since the knob of tissue can feel tender and sore making it uncomfortable for her to sleep on her stomach. And one breast can appear before the other. This is the time of  “bra” or “no bra”. For most girls, the second sign of puberty is the appearance of pubic hair. In the case of their changing bodies, preadolescent females acquire what, in common language, is often called “baby fat,” which may give them a more rounded belly, a development which may cause considerable anxiety for these girls. And who do they have as role models? A Kardashian? Barbie?

MOM I THINK I GOT MY PERIOD

They’re shocked. They’re amazed. They’re mortified. They hate it. They love it. It’s terrifying. It’s exciting. They’re women. They still feel like little girls. This is the time hyper-hormones kick in. It’s an enigma for most of them. If they haven’t learned all about it in school (and even if they have) it’s important for both parents to make their girls understand what it going on with their bodies and how natural the process is. Girls will have questions and “it’ll be o.k.” won’t cut it. This is the time for “the talk”. And you need the answers.

Why Do You Have a Period?

During the month, blood builds up in the lining of your uterus, which will help a baby develop when you’re older and want to have a family. Most of the time, a fertilized egg is not implanted in your uterus, and the blood sheds out of your body during your monthly period.

What’s Really Going On?

All kinds of changes occur in your body during your menstrual cycle. You get hormone surges at night, with higher and higher and higher peaks, until your period begins. Raised levels of hormones helps eggs grow in your ovaries. Each month, one egg is released into your Fallopian tubes. This is called ovulation. The egg travels down the tube to your womb. And while this happens, your uterine lining thickens with blood — just in case an egg is fertilized by sperm.

If the timing is right, the egg and sperm join together, and the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus. Pregnancy begins. Without a fertilized egg, the thickened lining has no purpose. So it sheds and comes out through your vagina. Your period has arrived. The average age to start your period is 12, but many girls start younger, and others start later. When you first start to get breasts and some pubic hair, you can usually jump forward two years and guess that’s when you’ll start. It might take up to two years for your period to get regular because the hormone surges are uneven.  At first, it’s common to have one period, and then not another for a few months. But even if you don’t have a period every month, you can still get pregnant.

OMG-PMS

PMS…Perplexed, Moody, Sad

PMS-Please Make it Stop

PMS- Poor me syndrome

PMS- Powerful Monthly Spell

No matter what, to say it can be a horror is understatement. That’s why it’s often called the “CURSE”! The causes of PMS aren’t clear, but several factors may be involved. Changes in hormones during the menstrual cycle seem to be the key element. Chemical changes in the brain may also be involved. What are some of the symptoms of PMS? Acne, swollen or tender breasts, trouble sleeping, upset stomach, bloating, headache, backache, food cravings, joint or muscle pain, trouble with concentration or memory, tension, irritability, mood swings, crying, anxiety, depression and often irrational emotional outbursts. That’s the OMG part. Fortunately not all girls get all of them, and they vary from girl to girl. This is also cause for many guys to say cruelly negative things like, “she’s on the rag”… “Stay away from her, she’ll bite your head off”…”watch out, her monster’s coming out”. It’s painful to deal with.

BABY, LOOK AT YOU NOW

Let’s take a look at female hormones in a different light.

Estrogen is one of the most important female reproductive hormones that are produced by the developing follicles in a woman’s ovaries, as well as the corpus luteum and the placenta. A woman will produce more estrogen during one pregnancy than throughout her entire life when not pregnant. The increase in estrogen during pregnancy enables the uterus and placenta to improve vascularization, transfer nutrients, and support the developing baby. In addition, estrogen is thought to play an important role in helping the fetus develop and mature. Estrogen levels increase steadily during pregnancy and reach their peak in the third trimester. The rapid increase in estrogen levels during the first trimester may cause some of the nausea associated with pregnancy and, during the second trimester, plays a major role in the milk duct development that enlarges the breasts.

Estrogen is important as it increases blood flow throughout the body. It allows the healthy growth of the placenta. This increase in blood flow may cause a generalized flushed appearance. Mucous membranes may get congested, and this may cause swelling, causing postnasal drip, and some sinus congestion. This increase in blood flow may also cause the skin to be more sensitive, and may even be associated with some skin discolorations, and increased pigmentation. For this reason, the nipples, areola, and the white line that runs in the midline of your abdomen may become darker. It comes with the territory.

Progesterone is the other big mama of maternal hormones. It is a “pro-gestational” hormone, hence the name. One of the main purposes of progesterone is to keep the uterine lining healthy and thick, full of nutrients for the developing baby. It keeps muscles relaxed and inhibits pre-pregnancy’s natural contractions of the smooth muscle of the uterus, allowing the baby to grow in an expanding and expanding, and expanding… womb. Progesterone is made early in pregnancy by a cyst on the ovary called the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone until about 10 weeks, when its production is taken over by the placenta. In the first trimester, levels of progesterone rise exponentially, and then they plateau. Progesterone does some very important jobs along the way. Not only does it keep the uterus muscle relaxed, it plays a role in the immune system helping the body tolerate foreign DNA (that is, the fetus).

SOMETHING’S COMING AND IT’S NOT GOING TO BE GOOD

According to the Mayo Clinic, perimenopause means “around menopause” and refers to the time period during which a woman’s body makes its natural transition toward permanent infertility (menopause). Perimenopause is also called the menopausal transition. Women start perimenopause at different ages. You may notice signs of progression toward menopause, such as menstrual irregularity, sometime in your 40s. But some women notice changes as early as their mid-30s. The level of your estrogen — the main female hormone — rises and falls unevenly during perimenopause. Your menstrual cycles may lengthen or shorten, and you may begin having menstrual cycles in which your ovaries don’t release an egg (ovulate). You may also experience menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep problems and vaginal dryness. Which are just a few. “Not tonight, honey” is real, when headaches and migraines, debilitate and radically interfere with normal functioning.  Then there could be clumsiness, fatigue, backaches, and food cravings –get out those chips and chocolates! Once you’ve gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, you’ve officially reached menopause, and the perimenopause period is over. Aahhh…at last.

HOT’S NOT COOL

We’ve seen it in movies and TV. Women standing with their heads in front of an open fridge or freezer. When it comes to menopause, hot flashes are the first things that come to mind. Menopause, a decline in women’s estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels, usually begins around the age of 40. In the United States, there are currently about 45 million women going through the stages of menopause. In addition, each year another 4 million women will join them. Although women will have a perimenopausal period, lasting for up to 15 years, most women will notice a sharp decline in hormones around the age of 50. What causes even more hormonal changes in menopause?

Hormones are the messengers in the body that travel through the blood stream to start, stop, speed up or slow down your physical and chemical functions and processes across all body systems. Your ovaries are the source of estrogen and progesterone, the two key hormones that control the reproductive system, including the menstrual cycle and fertility in women. You are born with all the eggs you will ever have. The eggs are in the follicles, which are found in the ovaries. During menopause, the number of ovarian follicles decline and the ovaries become less responsive to the two other hormones involved in reproduction—Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH). As your ovaries age and release fewer hormones, FSH and LH can no longer perform their usual functions to regulate your estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Ta-da!  Oh no! Menopause. More hormonal imbalances. And a lot more debilitating symptoms than just the hot flashes experienced in perimenopause.

HERE’S THE REAL FLASH

Like testosterone replacements, women are assaulted by estrogen replacements.

Chaste tree berry extract, Red clover, Dong  quai, Black cohosh, primrose oil, beeswax, orange oil, and on and on. It’s “Shop on Google”, “Shop on Amazon”…lozenges, suppositories, different estrogen types in different creams, serums and patches. Like estrogen deficiency or excess is something you can patch up.

COME TO PEACE WITH YOUR BODY

For women, life is a non-stop onslaught of hormonal fluctuations from before your first period, through menopause and aging. This is where bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help. BHRT as it is often referred to uses natural hormone supplements to address hormonal imbalances and deficiencies. Unlike synthetic or animal-derived hormones, these hormones are identical to those naturally produced by the body. This allows the body to use them in exactly the same manner as it does its own hormones. So where do you go for help?

STEPHEN A. GOLDSTEIN, M.D, F.A.C.S. AT DENVER HORMONE HEALTH HAS YEARS OF EXPERTISE IN HELPING WOMEN RESTORE THE HORMONE IMBALANCES THAT TOO OFTEN DISRUPT THEIR LIVES. YOU HAVE QUESTIONS? HE’S THERE TO LISTEN AND ANSWER. EDUCATION IS A HUGE FACTOR TO HIM IN THE INDIVIDUALED PROCESS OF HELPING WOMEN FEEL THEIR BEST. IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO HIM TO ADDRESS NOT JUST SYMPTOMS, BUT ROOT CAUSES OF WHAT MIGHT BE OTHER PROBLEMS. WITH COMPREHENSIVE TESTING, HE IS ABLE TO DETERMINE ANY DEFICIENCIES OR EXCESSES IN YOUR SYSTEM. AS A RESULT OF THES TESTS, HE CREATES AN INDIVIDUALIZED, COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM TO HELP ALLEVIATE YOUR SYMPTOMS, HELPING YOU FEEL THE BEST YOU HAVE IN A LONG TIME.

CALL, KNOWING IT’S THE FIRST BEST THING YOU CAN DO TO DO SOMETHING REALLY GOOD FOR YOURSELF.

TESTOSTERONE: HORMONE OF CHAMPIONS

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feb-16It’s a strange thing. When we mention the word “estrogen” people tend to think of aging menopausal women and a host of irritating symptoms that can drive both women and men crazy. But mention “testosterone” and it’s a whole different picture; young, hunky studs with six packs (well, at least 4 packs). Babe magnets. Not quite so simple, guys. Let’s take a closer look at this complex hormone.

The body’s endocrine system consists of glands that manufacture hormones. The hypothalamus, located in the brain, tells the pituitary gland how much testosterone the body needs. The pituitary gland then sends the message to the testicles. Most testosterone is produced in the testicles, but small amounts come from the adrenal glands, which are located just above the kidneys. In women, the adrenal glands and ovaries produce small amounts of testosterone.

Before a boy is even born, testosterone is working to form male genitals. Testosterone production surges during adolescence and peaks in the late teens or early 20s. During puberty, rising levels of testosterone encourage the growth of the testicles and penis. As a man transitions from childhood to adulthood, testosterone begins to deepen his voice and spurs the growth of hair on the face, in the armpits, and around the genitals. Hair also may grow on the arms, legs, and chest. Testosterone is just one of many factors involved in the development of muscle bulk and strength. Testosterone increases neurotransmitters, which encourage tissue growth. It also interacts with nuclear receptors in DNA, which causes protein synthesis. Testosterone increases levels of growth hormones that play a part in making exercise more likely to build muscle. Testosterone increases bone density and tells the bone marrow to manufacture red blood Testosterone also plays a role in fat metabolism, helping men to burn fat more efficiently. So far, so good.

WHEN RAGING HORMONES START TO WHIMPER

When a woman is moody, it’s hormones. When a man is moody, it’s work stress or money problems or just one of those days.  Andropause is in many ways similar to menopause. While not all men are affected by the natural decrease in testosterone that comes with age, a lot are, including about 25 million men in the United States alone. After age 30, most men begin to experience a gradual decline in testosterone,” says David Samadi, MD, chairman of the urology department at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Then testosterone levels drop about one percent each year.  About 4 out of 10 men over age 45 have low testosterone often referred to as “low T”. Although testosterone levels never reach zero (as estrogen levels do in women during menopause), declining testosterone levels can cause men to experience a host of symptoms they might not realize are due to low testosterone. “Low testosterone can also result when something happens like trauma or steroid use that prevents the testes from making the hormone,” says Bruce Gilbert, MD, PhD, an adjunct clinical professor of urology and reproductive medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and director of reproductive and sexual medicine at the Smith Institute for Urology of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. In discussing low T, there can be some confusion in other ways it is referred to. One is “hypogonadism”, the other “andropause.”

HYPO WHAT?

Hypogonadism is a condition where testosterone is not being produced due to a physical abnormality of the testes or brain.  It can also be due to an outside factor such as stress, poor diet or pre-existing health condition.

There are two basic types of hypogonadism:

  • This type of hypogonadism — also known as primary testicular failure — originates from a problem in the testicles.
  • This type of hypogonadism indicates a problem in the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland — parts of the brain that signal the testicles to produce testosterone. The hypothalamus produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which signals the pituitary gland to make follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Luteinizing hormone then signals the testes to produce testosterone.

Either type of hypogonadism may be caused by an inherited (congenital) trait or something that happens later in life (acquired), such as an injury or an infection. At times, primary and secondary hypogonadism can occur together. According to the Mayo Clinic, hypogonadism can begin during fetal development, before puberty or during adulthood. Signs and symptoms depend on when the condition develops.

FETAL DEVELOPMENT

If the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone during fetal development, the result may be impaired growth of the external sex organs. Depending on when hypogonadism develops and how much testosterone is present, a child who is genetically male may be born with:

  • Female genitals
  • Ambiguous genitals — genitals that are neither clearly male nor clearly female
  • Underdeveloped male genitals

PUBERTY

Male hypogonadism may delay puberty or cause incomplete or lack of normal development. It can cause:

  • Decreased development of muscle mass
  • Lack of deepening of the voice
  • Impaired growth of body hair
  • Impaired growth of the penis and testicles
  • Excessive growth of the arms and legs in relation to the trunk of the body
  • Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia)

ADULTHOOD

In adult males, hypogonadism may alter certain masculine physical characteristics and impair normal reproductive function. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Infertility
  • Decrease in beard and body hair growth
  • Decrease in muscle mass
  • Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia)
  • Loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)

Hypogonadism can also cause mental and emotional changes. As testosterone decreases, some men may experience symptoms similar to those of menopause in women. These may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Hot flashes

THIS OUGHT TO GIVE YOU PAUSE

First described medically in the 1940’s, andropause is a fairly common condition. Researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital have estimated that approximately five million men are affected by male menopause in the United States alone. Here’s the part that makes men cringe and women smile like Mona Lisa. Andropause is what is commonly referred to as “male menopause”. It is still the “change”. Men have it easier than women, but they still have it. The male menopause is much less abrupt than menopause. The signs and symptoms emerge more gradually and subtly, and the decrease in testosterone levels is nowhere near as estrogen is for women. When men reach their late forties to early fifties they may begin to experience symptoms (both physical and emotional) that bear some similarities to menopause.

  • Irritable Male Syndrome
  • Weight gain
  • Sleep apnea
  • Memory loss
  • Diminished libido
  • Hair Loss
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Hot Flashes
  • Muscle loss
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Night sweats in men
  • Gynecomastia (male breasts)

Hoping it was all a myth, weren’t you?

The imbalance of even one hormone causes imbalance in other hormones and can lead to a domino effect of sorts. Men may not experience all of the above andropause symptoms, but instead commonly experience a combination of symptoms. While these symptoms are usually a result of andropause, they may also be symptoms of other conditions like adrenal fatigue and poor thyroid health. It is key to know where the symptoms originate.

MAYBE IT’S YOUR KNOWLEDGE THAT’S DYSFUNCTIONAL

O.K…here are the two words that strike terror in the minds of men of all ages.

ERECTILE DYSFUNTION.

(Shhhh…it’s also called “impotence”.)

Erections are triggered by the body’s release of a tiny molecule called nitric oxide. But testosterone is what’s needed to trigger this release, and if there’s not enough of it, well, it’s a no go. According to the Cleveland Clinic, as many as 52 percent of men experience erectile dysfunction, with it affecting 40 percent of men age 40, and 70 percent of men age 70.  Previous research, led by physician-scientists at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, revealed that 65 percent of men with ED are unable to have an orgasm, and 58 percent have problems with ejaculation. The causes are often the same as for andropause. There is definitely a link between all the conditions mentioned here. Sorting them out is the critical issue.

Aging, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cigarette smoking, substance abuse (alcohol included), nerve or spinal cord damage, medications to treat high blood pressure, antihistamines, antidepressants, antacids and of, course, low testosterone (that tricky hormone) can play a big part. Psychological factors may also be responsible including, stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, posttraumatic stress disorder and fear of sexual performance. The more men think about it, the worse it gets. Men of all ages need to recognize this cycle and try to reduce the stress surrounding sex. It’s crazy.  It’s been shown that the simple act of putting on a condom causes so much stress that it can actually lead to erectile dysfunction. Honest. One of the biggest psychological barriers is that unlike a woman getting treated for menopause, men more often than not avoid discussing the matter with a doctor. So they leave the problem untreated and often stay away from sex altogether.

Now why would you want to do something as drastic as that?

YOU WON’T FIND THE ANSWERS AT WALMART

It’s a testosterone marketing frenzy. Men want miracles and the drug companies are more than eager to be there for them. The figures are staggering. Billions are spent advertising testosterone as the “Fountain of Youth”. As demand skyrockets, so do the plethora of products. Products where the manufacturers, suppliers and even pharmacies get the big boost, not you. Patches, nasal creams, powders, gels applied to arms, armpits, and abdomen or inside of the thigh. You can get coupons, rebates and discounts (UP TO 75% OFF!). Are you kidding? Are you buying this?

ALL THE AMMUNTION YOU NEED

When your hormones are imbalance you just don’t feel like yourself. You don’t know what’s wrong, you just feel that something is out of whack. Well you’re not alone. Almost everyone experiences some symptoms of hormone imbalance in their lives. As you’ve seen, testosterone imbalances can cause a list of problems greater than you probably imagined. Certainly, they’re troubling. A safe way to balance testosterone is with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or BHRT. Bioidentical hormones are structurally and molecularly identical to those naturally made in the human body. BHRT can be a huge help if administered by the right doctor.

IN THIS CASE, IT’S DR. STEPHEN A. GOLDSTEIN, M.D, F.A.C.S. AT DENVER HORMONE HEALTH. WHEN YOUR HORMONES ARE IMBALANCE, IT’S IMPERATIVE TO FIND THE RIGHT SOLUTION. WHEN IT COMES TO DISCUSSING ANY ISSUES YOU MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING, DR. GOLDSTEIN CAN PUT YOU TOTALLY AT EASE. WITH HIS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE IN THE FIELD, HE KNOWS THAT TESTING AND COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF YOUR RESULTS ARE CRITICAL FACTORS FOR SUCCESS. ONCE DETERMINING YOUR EXACT NEEDS, HE DEVELOPS AN INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP RELIEVE AND IN MANY CASES ELIMINATE YOUR ISSUES.

THE ONE THING THAT ISN’T COMPLEX, IS THAT HIS HELP IS JUST A CALL AWAY. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, COME IN, AND LET’S TALK.