What is Andropause?
We’ve all heard of menopause which is the natural decline in reproductive hormones of woman, but what about male menopause? It’s an issue that could be preventing you from enjoying your golden years to the fullest, so it’s wise to get ahead of it.
Male menopause or ‘andropause’ is categorised as a drop in testosterone and androgen levels, which comes with a range of issues. Understanding the signs and symptoms is key to early management and understanding treatment options.
On average, men’s testosterone levels drop at least 1% per year after 40. While many are still considered in the normal range, around 40% of those over 45 experience low testosterone levels. Many men dismiss their symptoms as a sign of getting older, and don’t realise there are things they can be doing to maintain healthy hormone levels.
If you’re not quite feeling like yourself, check out the list of symptoms you should be looking out for:
- Loss of libido
- Mood swings and irritability
- Lack of energy
- Reduced muscle mass
- Difficultly sleeping
- Erectile dysfunction
- Poor concentration and short-term memory
While a decline in testosterone can be a natural process, symptoms of low testosterone can be highly unpleasant and strip you of your confidence, however, with a few simple lifestyles changes you can get ahead of the issue and take your life back!
Manage stress
While mental health is often pushed to the wayside, particularly in older men, it’s an extremely important factor in your overall health, especially when it comes to hormone levels. Extended elevated cortisol levels lead to an acceleration of depleted testosterone levels and weight gain, among other symptoms of andropause.
Managing stress in a healthy way is key to keeping healthy testosterone levels in check. So, if you don’t have time for a holiday, look for small breaks in the day to relax or keep to a solid workout routine. Alternatively, you can turn to herbal remedies for relaxation. Our favourite is Sedacalm; a herbal supplement that contains Passionflower. Several studies have shown that passionflower has anxiety-calming effects as it’s been shown to boost the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your brain. This lowers brain activity, which can help you relax and even improve memory.
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Sedacalm contains Passion flower, a calmative herb in traditional Western herbal medicine that is used to relieve nervous tension and restlessness and as a nervine to support the nervous system. |
Keep an eye on your diet – but don’t overdo it
It should go without saying that nutrition significantly affects our hormonal levels. When planning out your meals, look for food’s rich in cruciferous vegetables, omega 3’s and probiotics.
While striving for a healthy weight is ideal, be careful of fad dieting as this can lead to the ‘yo-yo’ affect in which you are under-eating some days and overeating on others. This puts our body through excessive stress, elevating cortisol levels and destroying our hormonal balance.
If you looking to kickstart your metabolism, why not try out our 45+ Metabolism & Blood Health supplements? These supplements have been specifically developed for adults 45 years and older and combine key vitamins, minerals and nutrients for healthy thyroid function, eye health and blood sugar balance.
If you are over 45 and are recognising a few of these symptoms, we strongly suggest you consult your doctor who will be able to refer you to a specialist if necessary. The earlier you start getting ahead of this condition, the easier it will be!
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45+ Metabolism & Blood Health has been specifically developed for adults 45 years and older. It combines key vitamins, minerals and nutrients for healthy thyroid function, eye health and blood sugar balance |
