Men's Information 
 

Bio-Identical "Natural" Hormone Replacement
 

Hormone Replacement
Therapy for Men

Menopause for men, you might ask? Unfortunately, yes! Andropause – the male menopause - is more gradual than that experienced by women, but it is just as real. It often starts as early as age 35. Because it is so gradual, men often reach their mid-forties or fifties before even noticing some of the signs and symptoms.

Andropause Symptoms

•	Weakness
•	Reduced Libido
•	Depression
•	Irritability
•	Atherosclerosis
•	Erectile Dysfunction
•	Low Sperm Counts
•	Reduced Muscle Mass

•	Fatigue
•	Osteoporosis

•	Reduced Cognitive Function

•	Memory impairment

•	Disturbed Sleep
•	Heart Disease
•	Insomnia
•	Prostate Problems
•	Anxiety

Andropause, like menopause, is caused by a decline in hormones (Testosterone, DHEA, etc.) On the average, a man’s testosterone level begins to decline at a rate of 1% per year after age 40. It is estimated that 20% of men aged 60 to 80 years have levels below the lower limit of normal. The diagnosis of low testosterone levels is based on the presence of signs or symptoms and must be confirmed by laboratory testing. The extent to which declining hormone levels cause men to age is dependent on lifestyle issues of diet, exercise and stress.

Andropause and Testosterone Replacement
For Men

Men frequently experience declines in testosterone levels that correlate with the hormonal changes that women experience at menopause; however, men typically have a slower and more subtle hormonal decline, and develop symptoms over a period of time. When hormones are replaced or restored back to physiologic levels considered normal for younger males, men may experience a dramatic reversal of may of these changes.

Goals of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Men
(>50 years)

• Improvement in psychological well-being and mood
• Improve in erectile dysfunction and libido
• Increase muscle mass, strength, and stature
• Preservation of bone mass
• And possibly a decrease on cardiovascular risk

Natural testosterone must not be confused with synthetic derivatives or “anabolic steroids" which when used by athletes and body builders have caused disastrous effects, even resulting in heart problems and cancer.

Andropause therapy may also include dehydroepiandrosterone
(DHEA), chrysin, zinc, selenium, and other supplements. 

Testosterone Replacement Therapy is only recommended for men whose testosterone levels are low. Your physician prior to the initiation of treatment should perform screening for parameters related to potential risks of androgen therapy. Once your physician has approved testosterone therapy and a written prescription for testosterone has been received, Medical Center Pharmacy’s compounding pharmacists can use Testosterone USP to compound numerous dosage forms. These dosage forms include transdermal (topical), sublingual, or intramuscular treatments.

Private consultations are available with our pharmacist to educate you about natural hormone replacement therapy and to help you choose which therapy is best for you.

Prevention

A healthy lifestyle has been shown to be associated with higher hormone levels, and higher hormone levels seem to induce a more active, healthier lifestyle. When hormone levels decline, a person becomes less active and gain weight. As this weight gain occurs, hormones are stored in the fat and become unavailable to meet the body’s demands. Also, a lack of exercise, excessive alcohol use and many diseases can reduce bio-available hormone levels. For optimal results, it is vital that hormone replacement therapy be combined with exercise, proper nutrition and appropriate use of natural supplements.

Recommended Reading:

The Andropause Mystery: Unraveling Truths About the Male Menopause
by Robert S. Tan
Board certified specialist in Geratic Medicine, Dr. Robert Tan draws upon his many years of treating older men during their Andropausal years to share his personal research findings (superbly illustrated with case histories) to define the Andropausal biological milestone for the aging male; ...

The Testosterone Syndrome
by Eugene Shippen, William Fryer
Discussion (even among physicians...perhaps especially among physicians) of testosterone replacement in men seems to be flavored with more misinformation and emotion than with real data. The reclassification of testosterone about 15 years ago as a controlled substance (meaning it's monitored by the DEA as closely as is morphine or dilaudid) really heightened the hysteria.