More on Andropause

More on Andropause
 
Although not as well known as menopause in women, andropause relates to men, and is caused by a decline in hormones--primarily testosterone, thyroid, growth hormone and DHEA. Replacing these hormones to younger healthier levels can and will reverse the signs of aging.
 
Hormones start to decline in the mid to late twenties when the aging process sets in. People maintain healthy hormone levels until age 35-40; that is about how long we could be expected to live until about 100 years ago. The effects of declining hormones have only been a problem since we started living longer. Declining hormones, coupled with poor lifestyle, improper diet, lack of exercise and stress are largely responsible for health problems and frailties of later years. The good news is these signs of aging can be easily reversed.
 
For in depth consultation call Dr. Dekel's office at 516-208-6617

 
Age 35 is a good time to begin, and you are never too old. We have men in their 80's who have found a new life. The whole idea of men going through andropause (essentially "male menopause"), and needing hormone replacement therapy is "de-masculinizing". Virility is a man's second nature and when hormonal changes occur, usually around age 35, men see a marked continual decline in abilities they once perceived to be as easy as breathing. Men find erections are not as frequent as they once were; sex is not as exciting because ejaculation is not as powerful, and the stamina and endurance they once experienced in both work and play has dropped as well.
 
It seems that men, after 45, often have a hard time rising to the occasion and the challenge of daily stresses. So why do most men not know about andropause? Here are several reasons:
 
It has only been recently that andropause has received attention and recognition.
Men believe they do not need help in being a man.
Men do not talk about such things - it is not the manly thing to do.
Our male patients here at the clinic talk openly about their needs. However, each of them would also admit that they had difficulty making that first call.
 
Women are often aware of male menopause in their spouse or significant other and are often the person responsible for raising concern and interest in hormone replacement in their men.
 
Because female menopause is so sudden and often violent, it is difficult to mistake the effects of declining hormones. However, the effects of declining hormones in men are much more gradual, and thus many men accommodate to the change, not recognizing or admitting that they need help. The cumulative change, however, is very real.
 
Paradoxically, male pride is often a man's greatest strength and yet his greatest weakness. The truth is, men are "blasted" with a reality check during their mid-forties. Their hormone levels have dropped to the extent that the erection which once greeted them in the morning ceases, while their muscle definition fades and they notice they are getting a bit flabby around the middle. "It's all part of aging," they are told and they settle grudgingly into the "senior phase" of life.
 
That is the past. The present and future is bright with alternatives. There is a solution, and there is a cure--and that is to replace lost hormones and practice good lifestyle.
 
Facts:
 

• Testosterone, growth hormone and DHEA start to decline in mid-to-late twenties. That is when the aging process begins in earnest.
• Decreased hormone levels are not "normal for your age" (a phrase used by doctors who do not know how to treat it). Andropause aging is a health problem that requires treatment.
• Since the early 90's, medical science has known it is possible to regain youth by replacing hormones
• Hormones do not decline because we age - we age because hormones decline.
• There is a simple and effective treatment - restore hormones testosterone, thyroid, DHEA and growth hormone to younger healthier levels.

 
What to expect
 
Let us use an example of replacing only testosterone in a 47-year-old man: This man would have a total testosterone level of approximately 250 to 350 ng/dl. He will be experiencing many of the symptoms mentioned above. In treating him, we would take his testosterone level to 700 to 1000ng/dl - the level it was at about age 25 to 30. What will happen?

In the first two weeks, he will notice an increase in mental quickness and a general improved enthusiasm for daily life - a depression that he did not know he had begins to lift.
 
After about two to three weeks, he will notice more energy and a desire to be more active.
 
At three to four weeks, there is an increase in sex drive demonstrated by night dreams, spontaneous erections and an overall increased interest in sex.
 
If the man is in fact more active, and depending on the nature of that activity, he can expect a further improvement in energy, endurance, muscle tone and reduced fat. Remember the energy, enthusiasm for life and sex drive at age 25 to 30? That is what you can expect if you get your hormones to a healthy level.