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| Bio-Identical "Natural" Hormone Replacement :: Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men |
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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.
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| Andropause Symptoms |
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• 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.
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| Andropause and Testosterone Replacement For Men |
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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.
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| Goals of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Men (>50 years) |
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- Improve psychological well-being and mood
- Reduce erectile dysfunction and improve libido
- Increase muscle mass, strength, and stature
- Preservation of bone mass
- And possibly a decrease of 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.
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| Prevention |
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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 gains 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.
Call today to ask for one of our brochures, or request one of our pharmacists to speak to your group or organization!
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| Recommended Reading: |
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The Andropause Mystery: Unraveling Truths About the Male Menopause by Robert S. Tan Board certified specialist in Geriatric 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; ...
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Testosterone For Life by: Abraham Morgentaler "Better sex. Increased vitality. More muscle. Improved health. Greater mental agility. These are just a few of the life-enhancing benefits that men with low levels of testosterone can experience when they increase their testosterone level. If you've noticed a decrease in your sex drive; experienced erectile dysfunction; or felt tired, depressed, and unmotivated, this authoritative, up-to-date guide from an expert at Harvard Medical School will help you determine if you have low testosterone..."
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| Lookup on Amazon! |
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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.
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