Andropause is frequently known as the ‘male menopause’ and impacts men by causing a reduction and general fluctuation in the hormones produced by the body. It is a difficult time for men because it involves a gradual decline in fertility and hormonal function. While andropause tends to affect men in their late forties, it can happen much earlier in some cases. This is especially apparent in the modern era, due to the level of heavy metal and toxins in the air.
Heavy metal toxicity is blamed as one of the main contributors to erectile dysfunction. It is estimated that over 50% of American men in the 40-70 age group have erectile dysfunction.
Men who are treated for heart disease or diabetes have a higher than average chance of developing problems with erectile dysfunction later on in life. Those who consume large amounts of alcohol need to stop, because alcohol decreases the body’s ability to produce testosterone. As well as environmental reasons, andropause can also come from a slow decline in testosterone secretion, because of pituitary and testicular causes. A general increase in estrogen can also decrease testosterone production. This causes issues like ‘man boobs’ also known as gynocomastia and a reduction in the size of a male’s testicles.
It is clear that a hormonal imbalance is the issue with andropause, since, as described above, it involves reduced levels of testosterone against increased levels of estrogen. One step men can take on the road to hormone balance is to detoxify the body. This will help speed up the function of organs that have slowed down due to the accumulation of toxins. Remove the toxins and the body is given a fighting chance of rectifying hormonal imbalance. Men should be looking to detoxify the lungs, kidneys, blood, liver, and intestines.
The organic route involves detoxing for up to 3 weeks in an attempt to reduce the level of estrogens, as well as using Chinese herbs to boost testosterone production. Raw cruciferous vegetables are said to be excellent for producing a chemical called diindolylmethane, which helps remove excess estrogen from the body. Detox involves chemically-free foods, so this means all food being consumed should be organic. This process should also help lose excess fat while maintaining lean body mass.
Bio-identical hormones are an increasingly popular method of treating andropause and all other forms of hormonal imbalance. For men that are producing a low level of testosterone, bio-identical hormones can be injected or taken in drop or capsule form. Experts suggest that capsules are ineffective as they have to pass through the liver. As a result, creams and gels are purchased as an alternative to painful and inconvenient injections. Regardless of the route one goes down, it is clear that balancing hormones is the only way to escape from the andropause trap. Getting testosterone levels up and reducing estrogen levels is the right approach to eliminate symptoms such as fatigue, erectile dysfunction, and mood swings that accompany andropause.
