Male Menopause: Preventing Testosterone Loss in Men

Yes, there is a male version of menopause. Technically, it's known as andropause, in which men go through a gradual decline in testosterone production. Men, watch out: Loss of testosterone can really do a number on you. Testosterone is the hormone of virility, strength and youth. Diminished testosterone levels impede sex drive.

Testosterone production drops about 50 percent between the ages of late forties and early seventies. That's a big loss for this crucial hormone. Aging is the number one cause for the big testosterone drop, but here are six other potential contributors: stress, medical conditions (including diabetes), mental illness, poor diet, medications, and obesity and not enough exercise or lame exercise.

Results of diminished testosterone

It's not pretty: decreased sex drive, plus fatigue, depression, bone loss, weaker and smaller muscles, increased body fat, and erectile dysfunction.

Some aging men (about 20 percent) suffer from abnormally low levels of testosterone. Some doctors endorse testosterone replacement therapy because it helps restore strength in the muscles, increases sex drive, improves bone density, and even lowers the bad cholesterol.

Benefits of testosterone replacement therapy

1. Men lose about one-fourth of their bone mass by age 85, and many men suffer hip fractures. And you thought only women had this problem. But bone loss is not just a woman's problem. If men have brittle bones (osteoporosis), they can benefit from testosterone replacement therapy, because it will increase bone mineral density.

2. The good cholesterol (HDL) increases.

3. Muscles experience an increase in mass and strength.

4. Fat loss in the stomach area.

5. Less depression.

6. Restored sex drive.

Men should do all they can to keep the levels of testosterone hopping in their bodies. One great way to increase the body's ability to produce this vital hormone is to do intense weight lifting - as well as vigorous aerobic exercise.