Hormonal Imbalance In Men

Hormonal imbalances generally appear in women, but that doesn`t mean that men don`t experience such issues.

Hormones represent substances that are secreted by the endocrine glands (and not only, whose main role is to coordinate the activity of the entire body. More specifically, they represent “chemical messengers” which influence cellular activity, making an impact on each and every function of the organism.

As women start experiencing a sudden decrease of estrogen during menopause, men are also affected by a drop in their levels of testosterone, as time passes. This particular event is known as andropause and happens in males of ages between 50 – 70 years.

There are a few different types of hormonal imbalances which happen in men, which include adrenal fatigue, a medical condition which happens when the adrenal glands aren`t able to produce sufficient cortisol anymore. This deficiency is generally associated with thyroid issues: hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

What Is a Man`s Hormones?

Testosterone, estrogen and prolactin represent a few of the male hormones produced by the body. Testosterone is the main sex hormone responsible with maintaining or expressing the features of males, like facial and body hair, maintenance of bones and muscles or the production of sperm.

Testosterone represents the most important sex hormone that can be found in males. It`s produced by the testicles and it controls the physical features of the male. Women also have this hormone, but in smaller amounts than in males.

What Are the Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance in Male?

Erectile Dysfunction

This represents a medical condition in which men aren`t able to maintain an erection enough time to have a satisfactory sexual contact. MedlinePlus tells us that in this particular condition, an erection might not be attained or after it`s established, the erection is usually lost during sexual contact. Low testosterone levels, high prolacin levels as well as in imbalance in the levels of the thyroid hormone might cause an erectile dysfunction.

Breast Milk Production

Research describes galactorrhea as a medical condition in which women start producing breast milk, although they don`t breastfeed. This medical condition may affect a man who experience particular hormonal imbalances. It`s caused by low testosterone levels and increased prolacin levels in the organism.

Breast Enlargement

Men produce both estrogen and testosterone. Estrogen is responsible for the expression of the characteristics of a woman, like breast enlargement. A hormonal imbalance which involves a testosterone decrease and an estrogen increase might lead to breast enlargement in males. Gynecomastia represents the medical term that describes this condition.

Low Sex Drive

Libido represents a term that is generally used to describe sexual desire in both women and men. Low sex drive happens when someone loses all his interest to be active from a sexual point of view. High prolactin levels and low testosterone levels might be the cause of this issue. Latest studies show that 2/3 of men with high prolactin levels in their organisms lose their desire for sex and also develop an erectile dysfunction.

Infertility

Around 30% to 40% of cases of infertility in a couple are directed related to the male part. There are numerous cases of abnormalities of the spermatozoids, a deficit of spermatozoids or of their motility, or a poor ability to fertilize the egg. Other causes of infertility in males than hormonal imbalances are:

• Failure in ejaculation.
• Exposure to particular substances.
• Abnormal production of sperm.
• Malfunction of the reproductive system.
• Issues in terms of general health or lifestyle.

Other Signals of Hormonal Imbalance in Males

Other symptoms of low testosterone levels are: sudden changes in mood, depression, fatigue, hair loss, lack of energy or decreased muscle strength.

Causes of Hormonal Imbalance in Men

Causes of decreased levels of testosterone include:

• Cardiac issues.
• Renal & liver issues.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Testicular cancer.
• Hypogonadism – a medical condition which leads to insufficient testosterone production.
• Autoimmune illnesses.
• Metabolic disorders, like type 2 diabetes or obesity.
• Food allergies
• Genetic susceptibility.

How Do You Get your Hormone Levels Checked?

Hormones generally affect mood, metabolism, growth, sexual function and, of course, reproduction. Even rather small imbalances might lead to massive issues. To remain within normal limits, the levels of hormones need to be tested in 3 different ways. These levels can be measured in saliva, blood and urine, helping to evaluate the good functioning of the organs and glands that produce these hormones.

• Confirm your normal level of hormone for the specific hormone you are doing the test. The normal level of hormone is generally varied, depending on the particular hormone being tested, age and gender.
• Make a doctor appointment for a blood test to measure the level of your hormone. A doctor is usually doing blood tests in order to measure cortisol, thyroid hormones, estrogen, DHEA, progesterone, and testosterone. He will draw a sample of your blood from your vein into a tube and the sample is taken for lab tests.
• Consult a doctor to perform a urine test. This urine test might have to be repeated in a few days or a few times within a specific period of time, depending on what hormone you are testing. Urine tests are frequently used in order to determine various hormonal changes.
• Don`t eat or drink for 2 hours in advance to a saliva test. Swallow all your saliva in the mouth, then chew some paraffin tablets for 3 minutes, 60 times per minute. The hormone concentration will be tested by a laboratory technician.

Diets for Hormonal Imbalance

There are 6 main foods that will proactively balance the hormones:

Avocados: These fruits, as well as other good fats such as coconut oil or olive oil, help the manufacture of healthy cholesterol levels, a very important component in hormone synthesis. This will enable the skin to release the required hormones so it can remain healthy. And that`s not the only beauty benefit of these fruits. Healthier fats beef up the natural lipid bilayers of your skin cells, so the membrane remains in good shape, allowing the skin to retain water much better so it doesn`t look dull or dry. Consume half an avocado each day to get the required vitamin C, E, fatty acids, lutein (it aids prevent damage from the sun), fiber and potassium.

Salmon: This wonderful fish, which is great for the heart and brain, is a great helper for the hormones. Like the healthy fats that can be found in avocados, another great nutrient required for both hormone and cholesterol synthesis is represented by Omega-3 fatty acids. The anti-inflammatory properties of salmon may aid calm eruptions of the skin, such as eczema or acne. Target for a 4-ounce serving of salmon twice per week!

Almonds: If you have a sensitive skin that sometimes is going crazy, almonds are great choices. They increase the adiponectin hormone levels, regulating the levels of blood sugar. Research has shown that consuming almonds decreases male hormones levels, such as testosterone, which can lead to a thinner and drier skin. Eat 11 almonds per day, which represents about 1 serving, and you`ll offer a wonderful addition to your nutrition.

Broccoli: Have you forgotten about broccoli? This dark leafy vegetable, together with Brussels sprouts or spinach, contain indole-3 carbinol and sulforaphane, which will improve the ability of the liver to metabolize estrogen. And you should believe us when we say that estrogen is something that you really want, as it increases collagen, keeping your skin taut and firm.

Quinoa: This particular grain is probably more well known than a cat playing the piano on YouTube, and a that`s for a good reason. It`s fully packed with magnesium, phosphorus and protein, and it also offer great benefits in terms of hormones. Unlike other types of grains, which may raise the blood sugar due to the high glycemic index, quinoa represents a complex carbohydrate that is pretty high in protein, so it will aid maintain some kind of stability with your blood sugar.

Eggs: If you only like egg whites, you should really pay attention to this. Although the yolk has a bad reputation for containing too much cholesterol, the variety contained by it is in fact exactly what you need for your organism to create hormones. It`s recommended to eat 1 egg a day to benefit of the advantages eggs offer.

How Do I Balance my Hormones?

Switch Carbohydrates with Healthy Fats

Eat a large range of foods high in fatty acids to keep your hormones in check. The organism requires different types of fats to create hormones, which include cholesterol and saturated fat. Not only that these essential fats are very important for the production of hormones, but they maintain the levels of inflammation low, promote weight loss and improve the metabolism. As you may already know, healthy fats have an opposite effect than refined carbs, leading to inflammation and disturbing your hormonal balance.

Use Adaptogen Plants

Adaptogen plants are unique in that they protect the organism from a large range of illnesses (e.g. excess stress) and promote hormone balance. Additionally to combating stress and boosting immunity, studies outline that adaptogen herbs like rhodiola, ashwagandha, holy basil and medicinal mushrooms can offers various benefits:

• Lower cholesterol.
• Reduce cell degeneration of the brain.
• Support the functions of the adrenal gland.
• Improve the function of the thyroid.
• Stabilize the levels of insulin and blood sugar.
• Reduce depression and anxiety.

Approach Emotional Imbalances

According to TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), it`s believe that internal emotions have a straight impact on the health of a person, and addressing external factors, lifestyle choices as well as emotional imbalances may aid in preventing health illnesses that may be associated with hormonal imbalances.

Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine believe that fear emotions may lead to conditions involving kidneys, adrenals and reproductive organs, thus affecting the levels of cortisol. This might cause severe conditions such as infertility or PCOS.

Use Essential Oils

It`s essential to balance the hormones in a natural way, because you`ll manage to eliminate toxins in the organism by avoiding body care items which are designed with chemicals that may be harmful, such as parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, DEA or propylene. A much better alternative may be to make usage of natural items designed with ingredients such as coconut oil, castor oil or other essential oils.