A male midlife crisis is often associated with "the male crazies" when men make decisions to that reinforce their ebbing youth and fights the winds of aging. Be it buying a new sports car, altering physical appearance or some other action of age defiance, men are saying, "I refuse to admit that I am getting older," or "I refuse to admit that I am mortal".
Consider that underlying changes are taking place in a man’s chemistry during this time. Starting about age 27, key hormones start to decline. Hormones control the entire chemistry of the body. A decline in hormones such as testosterone, thyroid, DHEA and growth hormone cause symptoms to appear such as, mild to moderate depression, drop in energy and mental sharpness, decreased muscle and increased belly fat and a drop off in sex drive. It may well be hormone change and subsequent symptoms that cause a man to fight the demons of "the change".
Hearing the phrase "the change" conjures up associations with menopause symptoms associated with declining hormone levels in women. Even the word hormone is most commonly associated as being ‘a women thing.’ While there have been significant studies of the impact of the female hormone estrogen and the process of menopause, much less attention has been paid to the male hormone equivalent testosterone. Fortunately for men, more research is occurring.
Typically observed in a male’s peak earning years, the idea of a midlife crisis (the change) is generally well known. The idea that it may be connected to hormone decline -- a male menopause, also known as andropause is not generally considered. So what is male menopause? Starting in a male’s late twenties and noticeable by age 35, testosterone along with thyroid, DHEA and growth hormone levels decline and cause symptoms often associated with a "midlife crisis". Hormone levels will continue to decline for the rest of his life.
Quoting Dr. Eugene Shippen an innovator in male hormone treatment in addressing the fact that hormones must be taken "for the rest of his life, "This is an issue of prospective. Your father and grandfather had the same problem. You are fortunate to be born in time when you have a choice to fix or not fix the problem. Considering hormone treatment’s positive impact on quality of life, this is a non-decision easily made. Your must fix it"
For years men have been going to their doctor and discussing why they have a low sex drive, low energy, weight gain, irritability, depression, hot flashes and more. These symptoms are often considered individual and unrelated, however as male hormone research progresses the connection between these symptoms and declining male hormone levels is being realized.
Male v. Female Menopause:
Most people have a lose understanding of the menopause process for women and the symptoms associated with it. This is the result of decade’s worth of research and data. Today we now know that every living being, male and female, human or animal, is governed by hormones. A women’s menopause is different than a man’s because the decrease in hormone levels happen more suddenly and also occur later in life. A male’s hormones may decline more gradually over time, but is just as real.
Did you know: Testosterone and estrogen levels are inversely proportional. As male testosterone levels decline, estrogen levels tend to increase. A classic example of this is acquired weight in the stomach area, also known as a "beer belly."
Overcoming a Midlife Crisis "the change" with Hormones:
Most people can think of at least one example of knowing a man going through a midlife crisis. What is happening is a man fighting the fact that he is getting older. Fighting the symptom of andropause, he tries to get his youth back. While this may cause a temporary high, the actions he takes will be short lived because the hormones and the daily feeling of irritability, depression, fatigue, hot flashes and decreased libido do not go away unless you treat the source, the hormones.
Where to Begin:
Testing hormone levels such as testosterone, thyroid, DHEA and growth hormone from a male hormone doctor is the first step. If the test shows that you have low hormone levels your doctor can recommend a customized male hormone treatment program that will safely restore your hormones back to healthy levels.
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