Men's Health: Coping with Andropause

Men's Health Week: Coping with AndropauseAndrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.
As men age, they can experience a phenomenon, which is similar to
female menopause, called Andropause. By the time a man reaches the
age of 30, testosterone levels begin dropping by about 10 percent
every decade. Young men often have testosterone levels exceeding
1000ng/dl. Look at the comparison of an 80 year-old men, whose
average testosterone is 200ng/dl.

Between the ages of 40 and 55, bodily changes occur very gradually in
men and may be accompanied by changes in attitudes and moods,
fatigue, a loss of energy, sex drive and physical agility. In
addition, attitudes, psychological stress, alcohol, injuries or
surgery, medications, obesity and infections can contribute to its
onset. This also seems to happen at a time in a man's life when they
begin to question their accomplishments, values and direction in
life. Therefore, it is often hard to realize that the changes that
are occurring are often related to more than just external situations.

Although age does play a factor in testosterone levels, there is no
way of predicting who will experience andropause symptoms and to what
degree of severity. Neither is it predictable at what age symptoms
will occur in a particular individual. Each man's symptoms may be
different. It has been shown that a man's physical health and mental
well-being can play apart in the varying degrees of signs and
symptoms. Men who eat right, exercise on a regular basis and are
content in love and work, seem to experience symptoms, much less and
or later in life than those men who are obese, physically unfit,
unhappy or depressed.

Productivity is at the center of a man's existence. A man's
productivity is what gets him noticed and appreciated. This helps him
climb the ladder of success, bringing home the "bacon" and be
recognized as the bread winner. As he ages, the productivity tends to
switch to self-satisfying tasks and those, which give him purpose.

The Scoop on Human Growth Hormones (HGH)

Some scientific evidence shows that trophic factors, such as growth
hormone, estrogen, and testosterone, may help combat the aging
process. Growth hormone, in particular, may reduce frailty and help
older people maintain independence, but studies are showing mixed
results. The National Institutes on Aging (NIA) in Bethesda, Md., was
awarded grants to eight researchers to study the HGH in 1992. To this
day, studies are mixed in their results. Taking growth hormones may
cause sometimes, serious side effects, including carpal tunnel
syndrome, worsening of diabetes, high triglyceride levels and fluid
retention leading to congestive heart failure. "The clinical
usefulness remains unclear," the NIA said in a statement.


Top 10 Ways To Cope With Andropause

1. Change your diet: Cut back on the fried foods, saturated fats and
sweets! Eat cleaner, healthier, live food. Eating is a learned
behavior so poor eating habits can be "unlearned".

2. Get moving: Exercise not only is a great remedy for depression, it
is a great hormone builder. It truly gets the juices flowing!

3. Have more sex: Safe, satisfying, mind-bending. Remember, our mind
is our most powerful sex organ. Use that to your advantage.

4. Find more satisfaction in your work: Not doing the job of your
dreams? Don't you think it's about time you did! Put your fears away
(for once) and just go for it already!

5. Make your relationship the best it can be: If you have one, mix it
up a bit. Make it "new again". Go back to the basics... Send flowers,
go somewhere new, go out on a "date". If you don't have a
relationship, then try directing your intentions in the right place.

6. Coping strategies are important: Talk to others who may be
experiencing what you are feeling. Find some therapy in a group
session, a private therapist or go online and find a chat room.

7. Strengthen mental attitudes: Positive thinking. Maintain a sharp,
mental approach. Live
intelligently!

8. Take control of your life: You are responsible for living a longer
life. You alone. You are in charge as to how long and how well you
will live.

9. Stay creative: Fresh ideas are one of the best approaches for
improving any area in your life. Get inspired from things around you.

10. Stay healthy: Good arterial health is a must. High blood
pressure, high cholesterol levels, excessive stress, poor diet, lack
of exercise are your ticket to a downward spiral.


Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.
Peacefulmind.com
Therapies for healing
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