Top 5 Symptoms of Male Menopause or Andropause

Most of us tend to think that it is just women who go through the midlife crisis but the fact is that men also undergo various body changes as they advance towards their middle age.

Male menopause or Andropause is the result of a decline in Testosterone production. Testosterone is the hormone that gives men their primary as well as secondary characteristics.

It is produced chiefly in the testes, though smaller quantities are produced by the adrenal glands as well. There is an influx of testosterone during puberty and this is what is responsible for the growth of external male genitalia, growth of facial and torso hair, increased muscle mass and strength etc.,

Testosterone controls your sexual urge and erectile function. Not only this, it also plays a crucial role in sperm production and male fertility.

However, testosterone production begins dipping after the age of 30. There is conclusive scientific evidence to suggest that men begin losing testosterone at about 1% a year after the age of 30, triggering a series of body and behavioral changes in men.

There are factors such as stress, obesity, lack of physical activity etc., that aggravate this loss of testosterone and a large number of men experience a sharper decline in their testosterone levels. These are the men who are said to undergo Andropause.

The Top 5 Symptoms of Andropause include:

1. Depression
2. Low Libido and Erectile Dysfunction
3. Excessive Sweating
4. Fatigue
5. Poor Concentration and Memory

However, things are not limited to the above symptoms. There are a lot of other effects of a decline in testosterone levels.

Such effects include loss of lean muscle and a change in body composition coupled with an increase in fat content. Most men tend to gain weight during this phase of life and what is worse is that this weight gain is largely concentrated around the waistline. Here it is important to note that belly fat is often associated to be one of the factors that lead to heart condition or cardiovascular problems.

Decline bone density is another effect of low testosterone levels and it is likely to make your bones more prone to fractures.

Mood swings and irritable behavior are also associated with a dip in your testosterone levels. Sleep problems, low sex drive and erectile dysfunction are also a result of decline in this male hormone and it goes without saying that erectile dysfunction can be a hugely stressful and depressing experience for any man.

How to Boost Testosterone Levels and get over Andropause

Though testosterone therapy seems to be the obvious answer, it is not the best alternative. This is largely because testosterone injections, patches or creams can have a whole lot of side effects and this is why they are neither preferred nor advised generally.

Natural Approach

Healthy eating and healthy living can go a long way in enhancing your testosterone levels naturally.

Diet Certain foods are known to enhance the production of testosterone. These include foods like oysters, celery, almonds, eggs, lean meat, dairy, poultry products etc., For optimum testosterone production your diet must be rich in proteins, limited in carbohydrates and moderate in essential fats.

Eat Fats!

Essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 are extremely important for the production of testosterone. This is because all anabolic hormone are produced in cholesterol and a fat deficient diet is going to result in lower testosterone levels. Some great sources of essential facts include oily fish like salmons, sardines and mackerels. Other sources include olive oil, canola oil etc.,

Exercise

Regular and intense workouts in the gym not only help boost testosterone production but also help reduce stress and boost blood circulation. Here you need to keep in mind that stress is a major libido killer and reducing stress is one of the best natural ways to enhance male libido and boost testosterone.

Compound exercises such as bench press, squats and chin ups are the best ones and can be highly effective in enhancing testosterone levels. In fact, most bodybuilders prefer doing squats before pumping out their chest and the main reason behind this is that squats help enhance testosterone.

Natural or Herbal Supplements

Moreover, there are some herbal and natural supplements that can be highly effective and safe at the same time. These herbal or natural supplements are a combination of age proven herbs and other nutrients that not only increase testosterone but also boost blood circulation.

Some of the herbs being used in such formulations include ginseng, ginkgo, muira pauma, tribulus terrestris etc., These herbs have been used since ages to enhance male sexual function and potency.

The major advantage of such supplements is that they do not have any side effects. Yet, it is important to look for a supplement that is clinically approved and endorsed by doctors as well.

Find out more on How to Get over Andropause naturally and without resorting to hormone replacement therapy.