Natural Therapies for Andropause

Eight out of ten family physicians today recognize male andropause as a real change of life for men comparable to female menopause. Symptoms to watch for include: low energy; slow facial or head hair growth; decrease in muscle mass; lost height or early osteoporosis; enlarged prostate; depression; less strong or less frequent erections; lower than normal sex drive.

Andropause therapy can be handle naturally. Once you except the premise of male andropause then the natural andropause treatment can begin. Think of it as male menopause. Changes in lifestyle and the use of vitamins and supplements can make this change less noticeable.

We all know menopause as the change of life for women. Mid-life changes for men is much less discussed, even in medical communities.But "andropause" is a real phenomenon and, for some men, it can cause unusual fatigue, anxiety, even impotence.

Men have become more in tuned with their bodies in the past couple of decades and the onset of andropause is just a phase of life that until recently has been ignored. Now that men know what is going on there is hope in the form of natural therapies.

Reduce fired foods, red meats, and fatty dairy foods (full of disrupting hormones), caffeine and sugar. All deplete the adrenals and drain male energy.

Don't go too far. An extreme low fat diet is disastrous for andropausal health. It may reduce testosterone levels to almost preadolescence levels. Definitely bad news for older men! Include healthy fats from seafood and cold water fish, and lean meats such as hormone-free turkey and chicken regularly. Consider flax seed oil as a healthy oil to use in salad dressings. Use about 1 Tablespoon.

Increase your intake of zinc to renew sexual potency. Zinc, highly concentrated in semen, is the most important nutrient for male sexual function. Eat high zinc foods like liver, oysters, brewer's yeast, nuts and seeds regularly. Add zinc-rich spirilina to your super-food supplement list.

Heavy drinking can lead to prostate problems and impaired erections. DHT elevation, linked to testosterone decline and elevation of female hormones, is definitely undesirable for men.

Research documented in the Quartely Review of Natural Medicine finds saw palmetto reduces the symptoms of BPH by blocking DHT(di-hydro-testosterone), and inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase related tp prostate enlargement. Consider Crystal Star Prostate Protector with saw palmetto and pygeum to help reduce prostate enlargement and dribbling urine.

For sexual virility, try the herb tribulus terrestris. An Ayurvedic herb, tribulus has been used since ancient times as treatment for increasing libido and impotence in men. I recommend Nutritional Technologies T2-Tribulus Terrestis. As an alternative, Crystal Star's Male Performance caps have a long history of success for strengthening the male system and enhancing the sexual experience.

Regular exercise is a vital component of male sexual health. It makes the body stronger, function more efficiently, and have greater stamina. The more physical fitness men are able to attain, the better the sex life!

Natural Therapies for Andropause photo by Ed Yourdon