Early Onset Andropause

In recent years the early onset of Andropause among men has become an alarming trend. Andropause is basically the male equivalent of female menopause and is associated with a sharp decline in testosterone levels. While this condition is a natural process that usually effects men between the ages of 40 and 55, environmental factors associated with the rise of industrialized society have begun to influence its development. A wide range of pollutants and chemicals have been found to act as synthetic estrogens which can induce specific changes in men at both the physical and psychological levels.

Some symptoms of andropause include urination and prostate problems, mood swings and depression, impotence, low sex drive and low sperm count, weight gain, low blood sugar or diabetes, dry skin, bone loss, water retention, fatigue, anxiety and an increased probability of heart attacks. The presence of xenoestrogens, estrogen that is not produced naturally within the body, serves to disrupt the natural hormonal balance and can lead to the development of andropause at ages much younger than normal. Xenoestrogens are contained in many products including:

• Herbicides
• Pesticides
• Plastic containers
• Detergents
• Pollution
• Meat from animals raised on hormone-rich food

The accumulation of xenoestrogens in the body usually starts in infancy and is compounded over the years by modern life. Dr. Allan Lieberman, from the Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine, has stated "The combined use of pesticides in growing the food and soft plastics in transporting and packaging the food raises our exposure to endocrine disrupters."

While this problem has become more prevalent with the advancement of society, there are certain precautions that can be taken to limit the severity of hormonal imbalance. A change of diet and lifestyle along with an increase in exercise can help to decrease the effects. Quitting smoking and excessive drinking, things that are likely to worsen andropause should also be avoided.

Aside from lifestyle change, certain supplements that are rich in zinc can also be beneficial. Zinc is vital to the healthy functioning of the prostate, testicles and immune system and certain xenoestrogens impair the body's ability to absorb it. Semen volumizer supplements for instance, help to increase libido and sperm count and are excellent sources of zinc. A decrease in sex drive or lower than normal sperm count can often be improved with the use of such natural formulas.

By making healthy lifestyle choices, increasing your amount of daily exercise and adding zinc rich supplements to your diet, you can effectively combat early onset andropause, increase sexual drive and enhance your quality of life.

Posted by PRS on Tuesday, September 12th, 2006

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