Understanding Hormone Imbalance in Men – Flagstaff Business News

Men also can experience a decline in hormones and should know that it could happen at any age. Men rarely hear about this topic, or they think that hormone imbalances only occur in women. Hormone imbalance can happen at any age and stage of life for both men and women. More men need to be aware of hormone imbalance symptoms and management. 

Many people are aware of the normal changes teenagers experience during the hormonal shifts of puberty: acne, hair growth, deepened voice and muscle development. Teenage boys often experience mood changes and cognitive shifts when hormone production spikes during growth spurts and then regulates after. During that time, it can be helpful to correct nutrient deficiencies, learn stress management skills and have emotional outlets. 

Men ages 30-45 may also experience hormone shifts as well until they enter “man-o-pause.” It can be called either andropause or androgen deficiency in aging males (ADAM). It is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Although this transition is not as dramatic or talked about as menopause, it can still be detrimental to a man’s overall health.

Common symptoms of imbalance for men ages 20-40 include fatigue, sleep problems, acne, weight challenges and stress. 

ADAM symptoms in men older than 40 include fatigue, weight gain, increased weight in the middle (visceral fat), low libido/erectile dysfunction, decreased muscle tone, depression, anxiety, sleep issues, stress, cardiovascular risks and diabetes risks.

Effects of low hormones on the aging man:

• Age-related decline of androgens (testosterone and DHEA) and multiple hormone deficiencies leading to andropause symptoms and increase in comorbid conditions like myocardial infarction, coronary atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, hypertension and osteoporosis.  
• Testosterone insufficiency associated with increased mortality rate.
• Decrease in hormones resulting in increased cognitive decline.
• Low testosterone can be a cause for erectile dysfunction.
• Low hormones cause an increase in visceral fat (belly fat) and inflammation in men. 

Testosterone 

Testosterone is a steroid, androgen hormone produced in the ovaries, testes and adrenal glands. It helps build and sustain muscle, decrease fat accumulation and improve healing, skin tone, libido, mood, cognition and hand-eye coordination. It is also protective to breast and prostate tissue and can protect against diabetes, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. Testosterone benefits the neurological, immune, vascular and musculoskeletal systems. It can prolong life. Contraindications for taking testosterone are hormone active cancers. 

Symptoms of Low Testosterone: 

• Fatigue
• Low muscle tone 
• Low libido
• Depression and irritability
• Low cognition
• Osteoporosis
• Erectile dysfunction
• Weight gain; increases visceral (belly) fat, resulting in insulin resistance
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia

If you have symptoms of low testosterone often associated with the normal aging process, a simple blood test can determine if hormone optimization is right for you. It is important to go to a physician who is familiar with hormone optimization and is a hormone specialist. It is normal to have a decline in hormone levels with aging but not optimal levels where patients feel the best and get the benefit of hormone optimization. When your hormones are optimal, it reduces the progression of age-related diseases. Men can safely be on TRT (Testosterone replacement therapy) for the rest of their lives as long as the blood levels and prostate health are monitored and they feel great. FBN

By Christina Kovalik

Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc, The Vitality Doctor, is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in hormone optimization, optimal health and vitality. She is a new Flagstaff resident, practicing since 2004, and opened her second location in Doney Park in 2020.

For more information, visit thevitalitydoctor.com or call 928-863-6086.