Men, do you find yourself losing muscle mass or crying during Hallmark commercials? Are you having heart issues or a problem maintaining an erection? Are you considering ordering a “Manziniere” and/or corset? If so, you might be experiencing the dreaded “male menopause”.

What is Andropause?

Andropause involves the gradual reduction of androgen hormones like testosterone. The body needs maintains a tight balance between the amount of testosterone and estrogen. A normal ratio is approximately 50:1 but with those with andropause, ratios can drop to as low as 8:1.

Low testosterone levels affects at least 40% of men ages 55 to 65, and up to 80% of those aged 65 years or more, yet losing testosterone as we age is normal. After age 30, testes production drops annually by 1-1.5% (causing a reduction of free levels by 1-2%). Normally, it goes unnoticed as symptoms tend to lag 10 to 20 years behind the onset of hormone decline.

Regaining your vigor is not a pipe dream. It turns out there are many things you can do to slow the process and help get your “man” back on.

What does testosterone do?

Testosterone plays many important roles throughout the body. Although testosterone levels affect women as well (think PCOS), were are going to focus on men. In addition to the all important male libido, testosterone appears to have a positive impact on cardiovascular health.

It turns out there are more cellular sites for testosterone in the heart than any other muscle in the body! Testosterone also helps to maintain lean body mass and decrease abdominal fat and…..

• Has an overall anabolic effect
• Positively effects attention, memory and spatial ability
• Improves sense of well-being and mood
• Increases bone density
• Maintains stamina and overall energy
• Protective against cancer and antagonist to estrogen

What are the issue with low testosterone?

Low testosterone levels have been correlated with increased obesity and high waist-to-hip ratio, insulin insensitivity, sexual dysfunction, and cardiovascular risk.

Since testosterone decreases as estrogen increases, this inverse relationship activates the BCL2 oncogene (onco means cancer) which increases the risk of prostate and breast cancer (if adequate amount of progesterone is not there to counteract its effect).

Besides cancer risk, autoimmune diseases can result from the tax on the immune system.

What are some signs and symptoms of low testosterone levels?

• Decreased libido, decrease in spontaneous morning erections, fullness, and ability to maintain erections
• Prostrate hyperplasia or BPH
• Mental fatigue
• Elevations in blood pressure
• Development of varicose veins and hemorrhoids
• Changes in visual acuity
• Depression
• Inability to concentrate
• Muscle soreness and decreased physical stamina
• Elevations in lipid, fibrin, and insulin levels increase causing plaque formation
• Inflammation
• and more…

What causes decreased testosterone levels?

The number one cause is increased estrogen levels due to the conversion of testosterone to estrogen via the “aromatase enzyme”. This is commonly caused by insulin resistance, high cortisol levels and issues that affects detoxification, gut, adrenal and thyroid dysfunction, and pituitary and testicular issues.

Are there other factors contributing low testosterone?

Lack of specific vitamins and minerals

• Testosterone synthesis is dependent on zinc and essential fatty acids
• Sulfur amino acids, magnesium, or B complex vitamins remove excess estrogen
• B6 deficiency can cause testosterone to bind to estrogen receptors which keep them from doing their job

Testosterone Conversion issues

• Taking hormones, steroids, and/or alcohol may decrease testosterone levels
• Excess cortisol levels reduces the raw materials needed for testosterone production
• Testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is a weaker androgen than testosterone and is not as powerful as testosterone at inhibiting of cancer cells

Gut Issues

The body makes estrogen water soluble so that it may be eliminated through urine, sweat, or fecal matter. But when it passes through inflamed gut tissues, it uncouples the estrogen which allows it to reabsorbed in the bloodstream instead of leaving the body.

Self care products

Be aware that some colognes, sops, aftershave, deodorants, etc.. may contain  hormones such as estrogen or testosterone which will affect production and detoxification. Over time, testosterone levels may naturally downregulate.

What is the best way to test hormone levels?

Both the active and inactive testosterone levels should be tested. Blood tests are useful for determining whether the testes are producing adequate levels whereas free testosterone levels let us know how much is actually being received by the cell.

Urinary and salivary hormone testing is by far the best methods for testosterone usage since they both look at free hormone levels as well as interactions of all the hormones,. This test includes 4 cortisol measurements, testosterone, progesterone, DHEA, androstenedione, DHT, and estrogens.

Do supplements help restore testosterone levels?

Nutritional protocols can be used to regulate enzymes as well as correct metabolic imbalances. Note: It is pretty important not to shut down any conversion pathways until testing has been performed. I have found men taking Saw Palmetto to stop DHT production only to end up increasing their estrogen levels. Please see your healthcare provider. 

What can I do to help balance my testosterone naturally?

• Stop the conversion of testosterone into estrogen and excess DHT with lifestyle changes including diet, exercise, and stress control
• Enhance estrogen detoxification with diet and supplementation 
• Control inflammation
  • Eat an anti-inflammatory diet with lots of vegetables and fat
  • Supplementation with natural immune modulators: Vitamin D, EFAs, curcumin, etc. Work with your provider to develop a comprehensive plan.
  • Reduce inflammatory load including food allergies, bacteria, viral, and parasitic infection, chemical sensitivities, etc.

Can’t I just take testosterone?

It is important to note that exogenous hormones can lead to the increased risk of blood clots if red blood cells count becomes too high.

In addition, taking testosterone may interfere with the normal production and/or cause a down-regulation by the cell. This means that even though there is ample hormones available, the body is not able to use them—and you develop symptoms of low testosterone again.