Male Menopause

Menopause and St John’s Wort

April 11th, 2007 at 12:52pm Under Female Menopause+ Male Menopause

St. John’s Wort grows in dry areas in temperate climates throughout the world. It is a shrub-like weed that spreads rapidly. It was believed to have bloomed on the birthday of St. John the Baptist, June 24; hence the name St. John’s Wort.

It can be used as a mild antidepressant, and is also being studied for its possible affects on other mood disorders such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. People taking St. John’s Wort show an improvement in mood and ability to carry out their daily lives.

St. John’s Wort seems to be able to relieve mild depression, and also makes is useful in treating chronic fatigue syndrome and the mood swings associated with menopause and PMS. It is also considered a mild sedative and when used in the treatment of insomnia. St. John’s Wort increase the time spent in deep sleep by helping to produce melatonin, a sleep-regulating hormone.

St. John’s Wort can be found in most health stores, chemists, and pharmacies. The recommended dosage for St. John’s Wort extract, when taken for mild to moderate depression, is 500-1,000 mg per day. Results may be varied from individual to individual. You should consult with a health care professional to determine how long to use this supplement.

Pregnant women should avoid this product, and those who are photosensitive may experience an allergic reaction when exposed to sunlight. Some people may experience stomach upset, restlessness, mild allergic reactions or fatigue when using this herb. It should not be taken by those who have chronic or clinical depression, and should never be used with prescription anti-depressants or any medication that interacts with MAO inhibitors. A doctor or pharmacist should be consulted before taking this herb in combination with any other medications.

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Male Menopause or Andropause

April 11th, 2007 at 12:19pm Under Male Menopause

Male menopause is called Andropause, it includes annoying physical symptoms and the increased risk of serious problems.

Andropause usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 55. It is caused by a drop in testosterone; the male hormone. All men experience a drop in hormone levels as they age; however not all men experience the same rate of decrease and few have symptoms that are severe enough to seek treatment.

Common symptoms of Andropause include:

* Fatigue and general loss of energy
* Decreased sex drive
* Loss of physical abilities (decreased strength and muscle mass)
* Change in mood and disposition
* Increased body fat in the upper body and midsection

With Andropause the symptoms come one slowly and there isn’t one surefire indicator to show onset. That’s why it’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms so treatment can be started as soon as possible.

Male menopause not only presents with annoying symptoms, it also comes with an increased risk for developing serious health problems. Men with decreased testosterone levels are at an increased risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Severe Andropause can be treated through hormone replacement therapy. Replacing lost testosterone can cause a remarkable improvement in the symptoms of many men and has been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease as well; however, it is not for everyone. You should not have this therapy if you have had breast or prostate cancer. Your doctor may also not want you to use testosterone replacement therapy if you have liver, heart, or kidney disease, edema, an enlarged prostate, or diabetes. You may also not be able to have this therapy if you wish to have children, have had an allergic reaction to certain medications, or if you are on certain medications. Your doctor should discuss your medical history with you and determine if you might benefit from this treatment.

While male menopause is a very common problem in men, it has gone unnoticed in the general public for a long time. If you have these symptoms, you should seek treatment and see if their may be help for you.

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