Women hear a lot about hormones– From the time they hit puberty to well past menopause, there’s a constant undercurrent of information and implication. Men, however, are often in the dark when it comes to knowing exactly what their own bodies are doing, or not doing.
In men 45 and older, most cases of hypogonadism (low-t) often go overlooked due to the fact that the symptoms may be more general in nature and slower in onset. Many men simply attribute their symptoms to aging and often dismiss them because they don’t think that there is anything that they can do about them. This is largely because the symptoms of hypogonadism are nearly identical to those experienced by men going through andropause (the male menopause) : low libido, fatigue, depression, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.
The difference between andropause and hypogonadism is quite simple; Andropause is a natural part of a man’s life where his hormones begin to decline right around the age of 35 and continue to decrease until they plateau in his late 60’s. Hypogonadism is a condition where testosterone is not being produced due to a physical abnormality of the testes or brain. It can also be due to an outside factor such as stress, poor diet or pre-existing health conditions. Both hypogonadism and andropause however can be treated and corrected under the care of an experienced hormone specialist.
Testosterone, prolactin and estrogen are some of the many hormones produced in the male body. Of all of these hormones, testosterone is responsible for maintaining male features such as facial hair, body hair, sperm production and maintenance of muscles and bones.
The good news is that hormone losses and imbalances are easily correctable, and through proper treatment, these symptoms will often disappear and bring about a healthier you.
Since every man is different and requires a personalized strategy, a combination of methods will allow us to specifically address your particular issues. A personal consultation provides you with a strategic plan for repairing and enhancing a hormone issue, and together we can then determine what areas may be causing a problem.
Don’t wait any longer, give us a call today to schedule an appointment!
For an appointment or consultation with Dr. Gary Bellman, please contact the office or call 818-912-1899