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.
By admin
April 11th, 2007 at 12:17pm
Under Female Menopause
Menopause is a fact of life as women age.
Not only do women going through menopause experience annoying and painful physical and emotional menopause symptoms, they’re also at a much higher risk of developing dangerous problems such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
If you’re going through menopause, you’ve probably seen a doctor and discussed medical treatments, but before you start on hormone replacement therapy or other drastic treatments, why not try treating your menopause the natural way.
Here are 5 natural supplements that can help you solve your menopause problems:
* Soy. Soy protein contains chemicals called isoflavones, which act as a mild natural estrogen and can help with hot flashes and night sweats. It may also help keep your bones healthy. Just be sure not to take too much, about 50 grams of soy protein per day is enough.
* Black Cohosh. This supplement can be used to alleviate hot flashes, help with mood changes, and even help you sleep better. While it has been tested and found to be safe, there has been concerns about liver damage.
* Red Clover. Taking this supplement daily has been shown to not only decrease the number of hot flashes (one study showed a 58% decrease!); it can also help stop some of the long term health problems associated with menopause. Red clover contains isoflavones and may decrease loss of bone mass, improve cardiovascular health, and may even protect you against certain cancers.
* St John’s Wort. Along with physical menopausal symptoms women also experience symptoms of depression. St Johns Wort can be taken up to two years to help alleviate mild depression. Just don’t take it if you’re already on an antidepressant because there can be interactions.
* Vitamins and Minerals. You probably already know that you should take a calcium supplement to help decrease bone density loss, but did you know you should also take magnesium to help you absorb and use all that extra calcium? You should also increase your intake of Vitamins E and C to help with estrogen absorption. You should be able to find a quality multivitamin for older women that will give you these nutrients and more.
There are a few things you should be aware of when using these or any other herbal remedy. First is that you should consult your doctor and pharmacist before you take anything. These remedies can have harmful drug interactions and side effects. You should also take care to get a high quality supplement, and ask around on health websites or with a medical professional.
By admin
April 11th, 2007 at 10:15am
Under Female Menopause
We all know that exercise is a vital part of staying healthy. What you may not know is that the older you get, the more important it is for you to work out regularly. As your body ages, you not only may experience hot flashes and mood swings associated with menopause, you’re also at a higher risk for dangerous diseases. Many menopause symptoms can be helped or even stopped through regular physical activity.
One of the biggest concerns for women approaching menopause is the loss of bone mass. This can lead to osteoporosis and other serious consequences. Many doctors suggest getting plenty of calcium to help prevent bone deterioration. Getting regular, weight-bearing exercise is also essential for maintaining good bone health. If you’re not in very good shape, walking and other light exercise can be enough to get you started. You should eventually work yourself up to resistance training. You should also consider adding flexibility training; being limber will keep you from getting injured sometime down the road.
Along with osteoporosis, women who have reached menopause are also at an increased risk of developing heart disease. Many women assume that only men are at risk, but heart disease is a top killer of women as well as men. Plus, women are less likely to know they’re having a heart attack, so they don’t get treatment as quickly. Regular aerobic exercise can do wonders for keeping your heart in good shape. Even if you aren’t going through menopause yet, getting regular exercise is a great way to keep your heart healthy for a long time.
Another common symptom of menopause is mood swings. As estrogen levels fluctuate, so do your emotions. And unlike mood changes due to your menstrual cycle, menopausal mood fluctuations are much less predictable. Exercise can work to ease symptoms of depression, decrease mood fluctuations, and decrease irritability.
With the onset of menopause, many women gain weight. While it’s usually not a substantial amount, it can increase the risk of certain weight related diseases. Regular exercise can help you keep your weight in check, reducing the risk of serious health problems in the future.
If your biggest concern about menopause is the immediate physical symptoms, many women notice a decrease in hot flashes and other physical menopause symptoms when they go on a regular exercise program.
Sure, exercise takes some planning and work, but the are worth the effort.
By admin
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