While women commonly experience menopause as they reach their mid-40s to 50s, some men may experience a similar phenomenon — andropause. Menopause is marked by decreasing estrogen levels while andropause is marked by declining testosterone levels. You can experience low testosterone at any point in your life, but it is most common when you are in your middle age. In this post, we will guide you through the symptoms of andropause and how natural hormone therapy may help you through this stage in your life.
What is Andropause?
Andropause is not a universal experience for all men. Unlike menopause, andropause occurs gradually and progresses slowly. Your testosterone levels decline little by little as you get older. Testosterone is responsible for maintaining your sex drive, strengthening your bones, keeping you at a healthy weight, and growing your muscle mass. When your levels are low, you might experience symptoms such as:
- Muscle loss
- Weight gain
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Low sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Swelling or uncomfortable breast tissue
- Low bone density
- Infertility
Some men do not experience symptoms at all. However, you might notice that many of these symptoms look similar to menopause — hence why many refer to andropause as the “male menopause.” Many other conditions also manifest in these ways. For example, using certain medications or being overweight can contribute to some of these symptoms.
This is why hormone imbalances can be tricky to diagnose. If you have tried every option and found that nothing is working, you may want to test your testosterone levels.
What Can Natural Hormone Therapy Do For You?
If your provider has tested and retested your hormone levels, your results might show that your testosterone levels are low. For treatment, you have several options: traditional hormone therapy or bioidentical hormone therapy. Bioidentical hormone therapy, known as BHRT, is considered a more natural alternative to conventional hormones.
Many mainstream therapies use hormones made from animal urine or other synthetic sources. BHRT uses hormones created from plants. They are chemically identical to the hormones in our bodies. For that reason, many find that they experience fewer side effects with BHRT. Additionally, a well-trained provider will prescribe you the lowest dose possible for the shortest amount of time, decreasing your chance of short-term and long-term risks.
Maybe you have tried traditional HRT and found the side effects overwhelming. If you are concerned about the risks of conventional hormone therapies, bioidentical hormones might be the solution you seek.
Curious About Natural Hormone Therapy?
Determine if you are a good candidate by taking our assessment here. You can then find a Simpatra provider in your city and state. They can help answer any lingering questions you may have about BHRT. Before administering any testosterone doses, they will do a full evaluation of your medical history, symptoms, and intake forms. If you move forward with the therapy, our dosing calculator will allow your providers to prescribe an accurate dose for best results.
Schedule a consultation with a Simpatra provider in your area today.