Men’s Health – Man-opause

Man-opause?

ANDROPAUSE IS A CONDITION ASSOCIATED WITH A DECREASE IN TESTOSTERONE LEVELS AS MEN AGE.

To use the term “Male Menopause” is misleading as it suggests that symptoms are the result of a sudden drop in sex hormones (as occurs in the female menopause), which is not the case in men. Testosterone levels drop gradually as you age but this occurs at a steady rate of less than 2 percent each year from the age of 30 to 40 years.

Hormones are made by your glands and carried through the bloodstream, giving signals to other organs in the body about functions like growth, metabolism and reproduction.

Androgens are a group of hormones and include testosterone (the male sex hormone). At puberty, your testicles start to produce testosterone, giving signs to your body that help it become sexually mature.

Low testosterone (or testosterone deficiency) is when the body isn’t able to make enough testosterone to work normally. Because testosterone is the major androgen, it’s key not just for the physical changes that happen during puberty (like the development of the penis and testicles, and the growth of body hair), but for your bone and muscles, sex drive, and your general mood.

Your testosterone levels are at their highest between the age of 20 and 30. As you age, you’ll experience a small, gradual drop in testosterone levels. You might have a greater drop in testosterone levels if you’re overweight or have other long-term medical problems.

There may be a greater drop in testosterone levels in men who have long-term medical conditions or who are overweight.

While the following symptoms could well be due to other illnesses, you should contact your doctor if you experience low energy levels, mood swings, irritability, poor concentration, reduced muscle strength or a low sex drive.

HOW ARE TESTOSTERONE LEVELS TESTED?

The only way to check for low testosterone levels is by having two blood tests. Testosterone levels vary over the day, so if you have a low level on one blood test, you should have a discussion with your doctor before deciding what next steps to take.

HOW ARE LOW TESTOSTERONE LEVELS TREATED?

Testosterone therapy, given by injections, gels, lotions, creams, patches or tablets, is used to treat low testosterone. It’s unclear whether testosterone therapy has any benefit for older men who are otherwise healthy, and testosterone therapy may even be harmful in some situations.

The risks of testosterone therapy include: acne or other skin reactions, weight gain, non-cancerous growth of the prostate and growth of any existing prostate cancer.

Getting diabetes or other illnesses under control and losing weight can also improve testosterone levels.

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‘Healthy’ habits that might not be so healthy

SOME SO-CALLED “HEALTHY” DAILY HABITS ARE NOT THAT GREAT AFTER ALL. IN FACT, THEY COULD EVEN HAVE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES.

USING COTTONWOOL BUDS TO CLEAN YOUR EARS

Ear wax is normal, harmless and it helps protects your ears from infection. Some people, however, like to stick cottonwool buds in their ears as though they’re mining for gold.

You should never put cotton buds, fingers or any other objects in your ear because this can push wax in further, and you could damage your ear. If you suspect you have a large build-up of ear wax or your ear is blocked, see your GP or practice nurse, who can painlessly syringe it out using warm water.

POPPING MULTIVITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS

With a few exceptions, including folic acid for pregnant women, there is no evidence that vitamin supplements make any difference to the health of most people. It’s better to get all the vitamins and minerals you need from a healthy, balanced diet.

Supplements can be dangerous if you take too much of any one vitamin or mineral. High doses of Vitamin C can cause diarrhoea and kidney stones, for example, while high doses of Vitamin A can be toxic.

RINSING WITH MOUTHWASH

You brush your teeth with the skills of a Renaissance painter, floss religiously and swish with mouthwash. Sounds healthy, right? Your daily mouthwash habit, however, might be doing your mouth more harm than good.

There are myriad types of mouthwash with many different ingredients. Some come with adverse effects while others have been shown to work no better than a placebo (they just make your mouth feel clean). There is even a link between mouthwashes that contain alcohol and oral (mouth) cancer. especially in people who aren’t able to properly brush and floss. Figuring out which one, if any, is right for you is complex and best done with the help of a dentist.

DRINKING KOMBUCHA

This fermented drink has become a popular substitute for soft drinks and juice, but like those beverages, kombucha is acidic, meaning it can wear away the protective enamel of your teeth.

According to the NSW Food Authority, many brands of kombucha and other fermented drinks such as ginger beer and Kvass contain alcohol, a by-product of the fermentation process. Some even contain enough to be considered an alcoholic drink.

Children, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people who take certain medications and people who intend to drive should be aware that fermented drinks may increase their blood alcohol level.