Andropause is the term used to describe a set of symptoms and risks that occur from low testosterone levels in aging men. It typically occurs in men aged 50 and over, and at least 25% of men over the age of 70 years meet laboratory criteria for the condition. Because the decline in testosterone and the development of symptoms is more gradual than what occurs in menopause, most men don't even realize they are struggling with it.
That's a shame because the symptoms are troublesome and andropause is easily preventable and reversible; the biggest hurdle is simply realizing you have it. Outlined below are andropause causes, symptoms, and risks, plus a safe, effective, all-natural treatment protocol for optimizing testosterone levels.
Andropause Symptoms:
- Sexual dysfunction
- Mental and/or physical fatigue
- Brain fog or memory problems
- Irritability, moodiness, or emotional hypersensitivity
- Insomnia
- Loss of motivation
- Loss of libido
- Muscle loss
- Increased body fat
- Reduced muscle mass
- Back pain
- High cholesterol
- Breast enlargement (gynecomastia)
- Gastrointestinal issues
Why Andropause Is A Moden Day Phenomenon
Testosterone levels begin to gradually decline in men at the age of 30. This gradual, age-related reduction of testosterone may not have caused any problems in our evolutionary past, however, studies show that the total testosterone levels in men of all ages dropped a whopping 22% between 1987 and 2004, and has likely continued to decline since then. Since men have less testosterone to start off with, even a slight age-related decline, can be enough to tip the hormonal scales and trigger andropause.
How Estrogen Exposure Contributes to Andropause
Another reason why andropause is becoming increasingly common is because modern-day advances have forced us to live in an environment that is full of xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are inescapable and they mimic estrogen in the body. Hormones need to be maintained in a delicate balance and when the ratio of estrogen-to-testosterone goes up, testosterone deficiency symptoms can appear, even if testosterone levels are technically in the ‘normal’ range. Making matters worse, high estrogen levels also triggers the production of excess sex-hormone-binding-globulin (SHBG), and SHBG binds to testosterone resulting in lower testosterone levels.
Why Most Andropause Cases Remain Undiagnosed
There are a few reasons why andropause often goes unrecognized. Firstly, as mentioned above, the symptoms tend to appear very gradually, and many men dealing with it dismiss the symptoms as a normal part of aging. Secondly, many andropause symptoms mirror those associated with medications or disease states common in the elderly, and the possibility that the symptoms are caused by a testosterone deficiency is often never even considered. Finally, many men are reluctant to go to the doctor and aren’t completely honest with their physicians when they do.
Why It’s Essential You Identify and Reverse Andropause
Andropause can not only cause you to unnecessarily suffer with the troublesome symptoms outlined above, it can also seriously sabotage your sexual functioning, reduce your sperm count and lead to infertility and erectile dysfunction. And the troublesome effects don't end there, andropause increases the risk for depression and several chronic diseases including osteoporosis, arthritis, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and prostate cancer.
How to Prevent and Reverse Andropause Naturally
An integrative approach to andropause, which includes diet, exercise, lifestyle modifications, and testosterone boosting nutraceuticals will lead to the best results. The best diet for optimizing hormonal balance is a whole foods, plant-based diet, comprised primarily of vegetables, fruits, unprocessed whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Although meat consumption is often associated with masculinity, the effects are quite the opposite. Animal products are loaded with toxic estrogens and studies show men on a plant-based diet have higher testosterone levels than their carnivorous counterparts. I, therefore, recommend eliminating or vastly reducing your intake of animal products, as well as vegetable oils, sugar, and processed foods because they are all estrogenic.
You should make sure to exercise for at least 300 minutes a week and include a combination of high-Intensity exercises and strength training. Also, lose any excess body weight, lower stress levels, and optimize zinc and vitamin D levels. Finally, reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens by eating organic produce, using a water filter for drinking and showering; switching to all-natural detergents, cleaning and skincare products; and using glass bottles and food storage containers.
Neutraceuticals for Restoring Healthy Testosterone Levels
Although the above lifestyle modifications will help support healthy testosterone levels, they will likely not be enough on their own to reverse a deficiency. For the best results, you should combine them with the following two neutraceuticals:
Testrovida Pro
If you suffer with low testosterone levels, a supplement such as TestroVida Pro, can be enormously helpful. It contains zinc which helps to boost testosterone in deficient males; and close to 20 different herbs that reduce the symptoms and many of the risks associated with low testosterone levels. Several of the herbs in TestroVida Pro also have potent anti-aging and anti-disease properties and help to boost sexual performance and function.
EstroBlock
Have your physician use a urine test to measure all 3 of the main estrogen metabolites, and if estrogen levels are high, take an estrogen clearing supplement such as EstroBlock. EstroBlock contains a proprietary blend of clinically proven ingredients to help neutralize and remove toxic estrogens from your body. If you are obese, or your estrogen levels are notably elevated, I recommend you start off with the triple strength formula EstroBlock Pro and switch to the regular strength formula for maintenance once ideal estrogen levels are attained.