When most people imagine a man going through a "mid-life crisis" it's normally accompanied with sports cars or other odd behavioral changes. Essentially ditching their normal responsibilities for fun! What most people fail to take into account is the high likelihood of hormone imbalance in the mid to late 40's that can cause this erratic behavior.
When we talk about the menopausal state it's normally associated with women. We live in a society that talks a lot more about female hormones than males. So it's no wonder we chalk up erratic behavior to a mid-life crisis- rather than seeing what is really going on. It's important to understand the changes our partners are going through and provide support, compassion & understanding to the situation rather than blame & accuse. As we age, both men and women's hormone production gradually declines. Although an occasional irregularity is not harmful, a major imbalance can have severe consequences on your health.
While testosterone is considered the "primary" male hormone, other hormones including cortisol, insulin & thyroid play a factor in overall wellness. Imbalance of any one of these hormones can result in unwanted symptoms of aging.
Andropause begins when the production of testosterone levels decrease with age. Generally after the age of 40 testosterone levels start to decline and symptoms of andropause start to show up. It's important to note that this is NOT the same thing as female menopause. The decrease in testosterone and the development of symptoms is more gradual than what occurs in women. Testosterone levels can also decline due to medications or lifestyle choices. Although symptoms may vary from person to person, common symptoms of men going through andropause include:
Low sex drive
Fatigue
Reduced muscle mass
Irritability and mood swings
Erectile dysfunction
Depression
Often associated with stress, this can be a huge factor for our hormone levels. Adrenal fatigue can occur in people who are under long-term mental, emotional, or physical stress. The adrenal glands are in charge of our fight or flight response and regulate our reaction to stress. The main adrenal hormone used to manage stress is cortisol. Adrenal glands release cortisol during high-stress times, low blood sugar, excitement & during exercise. When stress becomes extreme or extends over long periods of time the adrenal glands cannot function properly causing these symptoms:
Mid-day fatigue or low energy
Difficulty falling asleep
Emerging allergies
Sensitivity to chemicals
Anxiety
Increased susceptibility to infections
Reduced stress tolerance
This is a condition in which there isn't enough thyroid hormone in your bloodstream which causes your metabolism to slow down. Simply put, metabolism can affect your body’s temperature, your heartbeat, and how well you burn calories. This can result a variety of symptoms including:
Constipation
Depression
Dry hair and hair loss
Dry skin
Elevated cholesterol
Fatigue
Greater sensitivity to cold
Hoarse voice
Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
Problems with memory
Muscle aches and stiffness
Muscle weakness
An overactive thyroid gland can increase your metabolism and produce high levels of thyroid hormone. High amounts of T4, T3, or both can cause an excessively high metabolic rate. This is called a hypermetabolic state. Here a few symptoms to look out for:
Increased appetite
Nervousness
Restlessness
Inability to concentrate
Weakness
Irregular heartbeat
Difficulty sleeping
Fine, brittle hair
Itching
Hair loss
Nausea and vomiting
Breast development in men
Hormonal imbalances are common in today’s day and age because of our fast-paced lifestyle or poor diet. If you feel like you or your partner may be struggling with any of these symptoms there is hope!
Contact a hormone specialist today to find out if bioidentical hormone optimization may be right for you!
125 North Orlando Ave. Suite 115 Winter Park, FL 32789 (407) 606-6746
1155 Nikki View Dr. Brandon, FL 33511 (813) 681-8624
10116 Montague St, Suite 8 Westchase, FL 33626 (813) 749-7550
220 North Howard Ave Tampa, FL 33606 (813) 254-6141
1821 Bruce B Downs Blvd Suite 114 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 (813) 558-9500
Brett Markowitz founded AgeRejuvenation to provide a solid structure of weight loss, nutrition, anti-aging, and hormone balance solutions for his beloved patients. His goal is to help permanently change the patient’s everyday wellness habits so each individual can live a healthier and happier life.
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