Andropause is the technical term for the changes that men go through as they age. Between the ages of 40 and 79, a typical American male loses about 20 pounds of muscle, 15% of his bone mass, and nearly 2 inches in height. After age 40, the testicles begin to shrink and men begin to experience impotence.
Andropause is not only related to a decline in testosterone as higher testosterone levels do not always result in increased sexual prowess. Other hormones (DHEA, growth hormone, thyroid hormone) are also important in andropause. Sexual decline may also be related to a decrease in neurotransmitters in the brain. Certain medications can also aggravate the brain neurotransmission and interfere with a man’s potency.
Produced in the testes, testosterone is the end result of a series of biochemical steps. Testosterone also regulates prostaglandin, which seems to keep the growth of the prostate under control. Testosterone also nourishes all the tissues in the male urinary and reproductive systems.
It is estimated that testosterone levels will drop to abnormally low levels in more than 20% of men after age 50. Testosterone can be affected by medication, by illness, obesity, stress, and lifestyle factors, such as excessive alcohol intake and smoking.
The following is a simple questionnaire for men to determine if their testosterone levels are adequate. How do you score?
- Are you over the age of thirty-five?
- Do you have poor muscle tone?
- Are you prone to weight gain, particularly around the midsection?
- Do you frequently feel weak and tired for no apparent reason?
- Is your recovery from exercise slow?
- Do you have a low sex drive or symptoms of sexual dysfunction?
- Do you feel depressed, irritable, or unmotivated?
- Do you have difficulty coping with stress?
- Do you smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol regularly, or take prescription medicines?
- Have you recently been diagnosed with diabetes?
Men who have answered YES to any four questions are candidates for possible hormone replacement therapy for Low-T. There are more than 40 million men in the United States experiencing andropause, but the vast majority of them are unaware of it. As the tremendous popularity of Viagra suggests, many of these men have symptoms of male sexual dysfunction, while others find themselves fighting more subtle battles against depression, diabetes, fatigue, insomnia, and obesity - all common symptoms of Low-T that most doctors overlook and attribute to the natural process of aging or stress.
Hormones are the real juice of life. With our Age Intervention Program, we are astonished by how men and women are revitalized in as little as 6 to 8 weeks after beginning testosterone replacement therapy.
Standard Laboratory Tests are Insufficient
Medical science has determined that a man’s bio-available (free) levels decline at an alarming rate of 2% each year, beginning at age 30. This means that a man in his 60’s is functioning with only about 40% of the testosterone he had in his 20’s.
However, when standard laboratory tests are performed, most men typically have only their total levels of testosterone evaluated. Their more important bio-available levels go unchecked. As a result, millions of American men who have symptoms of low testosterone are walking around undiagnosed and untreated.
Benefits of Testosterone
- Enhances muscle mass and strength
- Enhances sex drive and function
- Improves cardiac health and blood pressure
- Improves memory, concentration, and visual acuity
- Improves mood and overall sense of well-being
- Improves overall energy
- Increases bone strength
- Increases tolerance for stress
- Promotes protein-building
- Reduces cholesterol and blood sugar
