Sexual health is a very important function to most men.  Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is the inability for a man to attain or maintain an erection sufficient enough for intercourse.  ED and decreased libido is a trend increasing amongst aging men in the United States which tends to causes embarrassment, sexual frustration and leads men who experience this condition to feel less “manly” than those who do not.  Often times, ED occurs as part of the normal aging process in men, however it may occur in younger men as well due to either lowered hormone levels or psychological causes.

The majority of men who experience ED also exhibit other signs of Andropause as well.  Andropause, also termed “Male Menopause,” typically results from a drop in the primary sex hormone, testosterone, just as women experience menopause from a resultant change in their hormones as they age.  The loss of testosterone, which can happen to men as young as 35, is gradual, with testosterone levels dropping just 1 percent to 1.5 percent annually.  Unlike the precipitous loss of estrogen which menopausal women face, the gradual loss of testosterone may take years to exact its mark on men.

The most common signs and symptoms of Andropause include:

• Erectile Dysfunction – difficulty attaining/maintaining erections
• Lowered Libido
• Mental decline – irritability, depression and anxiety
• Fatigue
• Enlarged Prostate causing urinary difficulties
• Weight gain
• Loss of muscle mass/muscle weakness

Naturopathic physicians take a full individualized history from you to determine if you are experiencing symptoms of andropause.  They most often spend up to an hour and half with you on your first visit to really get to know you as a person and to know your full history before starting with any laboratory tests or with any treatments.  Andropause seems to be a multi-factorial process but most often occurs when testosterone levels in men decline with age.  Symptoms of andropause may also be caused by or be mimicked by other conditions like adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism and environmental toxicity.  With lowered testosterone levels, not only can men have the unwanted symptoms of andropause like lack of libido, erectile dysfunction and a decrease in energy but they can also be predisposed to developing other more serious conditions like cardiovascular disease, obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes, osteoporosis, and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

Both simple blood tests, like a male hormone panel, and other specialized tests like a thyroid function test, an adrenal function test, or an IgG Food Allergy test can determine the underlying cause of your andropausal symptoms.  Other specialized tests like a Cardiovascular Risk Assessment can determine your risk of developing other conditions like cardiovascular disease and even insulin resistance or diabetes.   Although medications are not a naturopathic physician’s first choice for treating the symptoms of andropause, naturopathic physicians do have prescription rights in the state of Arizona and may decide to prescribe you a medication if they feel it necessary.

With the use of natural Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) in conjunction with many other natural treatment options, like botanicals, nutritional supplementation, and acupuncture, andropause can be managed effectively and help men regain and attain optimal health as they age.

Contact Dr. Matthew Cavaiola at East Valley Naturopathic Doctors to schedule your FREE 15 minute consultation TODAY.  (480) 985-0000.