What We Bet You Never Knew About Male Menopause or Andropause

By: Staff Writer
9/23/2009 10:11:00 AM
Andropause is a rarely discussed condition that is characterized by a drop in the level of testosterone in men as they age, as discussed on "The Doctors." It is similar to menopause, but most people know very little about it.

The word menopause has come to belong almost exclusively to women. Hormone therapy and treatment options target women, helping them though this difficult time of life. Despite all the attention given to female menopause, male menopause- or andropause- has been all but ignored by much of the medical community. The lack of attention given to this condition- characterized by a drop in testosterone levels- is detrimental to men who are suffering from the symptoms associated with male menopause. 

Fortunately, ReNEW Man, a national organization of doctors who provide treatment for male menopause, are finally providing men suffering from andropause a treatment option that can help. 

Male menopause is characterized by a drop in testosterone levels caused by aging, just as a drop in hormones causes female menopause. Symptoms of male menopause include a decreased or diminished sex drive, loss of sexual function, low energy, and depression. Many of these symptoms are not recognized as symptoms of male menopause, and are treated with medications designed to cure the symptom instead of the cause. 

Anti-depressant medications and erectile dysfunction medicines can resolve the problems associated with andropause on a temporary basis, but unless the underlying lack of hormones is treated, men will have to continue these medications on an indefinite basis to prevent the systems from manifesting again. ReNEW Man believes they have found the escape from this cycle of antidepressant medication, erectile dysfunction, and dissatisfaction by treating the cause, not the symptoms. 

Founded in 1999 by Jim Michels, ReNEW Man was created to assist men aged 35 and over who want to have more energy, more enthusiasm, and a better sex life for both themselves and their partners. ReNEW Man seeks to provide awareness of male menopause, and to bring attention to the fact that, according to Michels, “no one avoids declines in male hormones.” Since its founding, ReNEW Man says they've helped countless men to cope with the symptoms of male menopause and enter into their forties, fifties and beyond with the vitality and energy of a much younger man by providing treatment that actually targets the cause of the problem. 

The ReNEW Man treatment program is administered by a network of local doctors in most major cities who understand the importance of effectively treating andropause with hormone replacement. Instead of using medication to essentially put a bandage on the larger problem, doctors in the ReNEW Man network treat the low testosterone with hormone therapy designed to restore the level of testosterone in the male body to that of a man in his twenties. ReNEW Man claims that the hormone therapy is both safe and effective. This individualized hormone therapy provided for patients has produced a new wave of success in andropause care.

Prostate cancer may be caused by virus, study indicates

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Virus found in a quarter of tissue samples. Mounting evidence indicates that prostate cancer is an infectious disease caused by a recently identified virus.

It will be some time before researchers can definitively prove whether the virus causes prostate cancer. And even more time to develop a successful vaccine if it does. But the National Institutes of Health's cancer division is impressed enough with the data to encourage researchers to cooperate and collaborate on this topic.

Tabitha M. Powledge, a science journalist based near Washington, DC, says her interviews of leading cancer experts leave her with the impression that few would be particularly surprised to discover prostate cancer is an infectious disease.

"There is a lot of indirect evidence from epidemiology and genetics that prostate cancer may turn out to be among the several cancers that are now proven infectious," says Powledge, who specializes in writing about basic research.

"The research does offer hope there will be ways in the future to prevent prostate cancer just as there are vaccines today that prevent cervical cancer."

Q. What have researchers identified as the potential virus?

A. The suspect is xenotropic murine leukemia-related virus, similar to viruses known to cause cancer in animals. Researchers at Columbia University and the University of Utah found the virus in more than a quarter of some 300 prostate cancer tissue samples, especially in malignant cells. Let me stress, it is not yet proven that prostate cancer is a viral disease.

Q. Could there be more than one type of prostate cancer?

A. Ila Singh, from the University of Utah, senior author of that study, pointed out clinicians badly need better tools for distinguishing between prostate cancers that are potentially deadly and those that develop so slowly that the affected men die of something else.

Q. Experts you interviewed have said this virus could be sexually transmitted?

A. Yes. One bit of epidemiological evidence is that men with a high rate of sexually transmitted diseases tend to be more likely to get prostate cancer than men without a strong history of STDs. Another bit of epidemiological evidence surrounds aspirin. Researchers tell me men who take daily aspirin to reduce inflammation for heart problems also tend to get less prostate cancer. There is a reason, from that result, to believe a virus may be involved because a virus causes inflammation.

Q. If scientists can establish an infectious cause for prostate cancer, would men potentially be able to prevent this common deadly disease?

A. The new paper, published in the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences," emphasizes how finding a viral cause for prostate cancer could impact biomedical research. It would trigger a number of studies for vaccine and other therapies.

Q. What about the men who have prostate cancer who do not die?

A. Researchers are looking for a marker that will distinguish men with aggressive cancer – those in serious health trouble – from those who don't need to do anything.

Q. A vaccine that protects against cervical cancer is now suggested for young women – girls not yet in puberty – on the theory they should be immunized before they risk getting exposed. As scientists work on studies about whether prostate cancer is caused by a virus – and if it is, as they develop a vaccine – what can men do?

A. Well, keep in mind that we don't know for sure yet that prostate cancer is an infectious disease or that it's an STD. But wearing a condom is always a sensible choice. That's the suggestion to lower the risk of getting any sexually transmitted disease – and there are lots of them.

Stretch Mark Remedy

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Anyone who has ever experienced stretch marks has no question as to why someone would seek a stretch mark remedy. The visual impact makes people uncomfortable and they hope to find the best stretch mark cream or stretch mark treatment available. Unfortunately the goal of obtaining a stretch mark remover can be daunting.

What Causes Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks occur when connective tissue in the skin breaks down in the dermis. At the beginning it looks a bit like purplish riverbeds. Over time that coloration disappears and what’s left is silver lines that can grow wider and longer. Worse, make up doesn’t seem to help much. Stretch marks are one of the most common skin changes during pregnancy and excess weight gain.

The causes for stretch marks can vary depending on the person and the situation. Women usually get them during pregnancy. Other reasons for stretch marks could be from too much weight gain and loss. Men often find that gaining or loosing muscle could also cause stretch marks.

Stretch Marks Side Effects?

Stretch marks seem relatively harmless except when it comes to self-esteem. Consider a young man who over-ate, then finally overcame his eating only to discover a nasty visual reminder left behind ” those stretch marks, and no stretch mark remedy in sight (or at least not one of which they’re aware). How discouraging! And how unsupportive of a new healthy lifestyle!

Is There an Effective Stretch Mark Remover Remedy?

Many people, overwhelmed by the number of stretch mark creams and other treatments on the market try home stretch mark remedies instead. One popular one is daily application of cocoa butter. Another is applying Vitamin E and/or lemon juice. These options certainly look appealing compared to the $1000 bill for laser surgery stretch mark removal (that’s per session!). However, the effectiveness of home remedies varies from person to person.

Natural Stretch Mark Treatment Options:

The editors of this web site found an effective stretch mark remover product, called the Skin Roller. This hand held device contains 192 micropoints and can be used by anyone, even pregnant women. This cost effective device is better than commercial creams and safer and than laser surgery. The Derma Roller can also be used to lighten up wrinkles, cellulite, and scars by encouraging the production of collage. Plus, it is safe and FDA approved.

Chin Lift Reduction - The Direct Neck Lift Scar - What Does It Look Like?

Explore Plastic Surgery 

Changes in one’s neck are often the single most bothersome facial feature for some men as they age. Loose skin and the development of a neck wattle, all of which creates loss of a more sharply defined neck angle, are more troubling than even the classic signs of periorbital or eye aging. This is particularly true for men as they pass age 55 and beyond.

A traditional facelift for these neck problems, while very effective, is often unappealing for some men. Men are usually more concerned about the recovery from a facelift, where the scars would be, how it may affect their hairline, and the social stigmata of being recognized for having had their ‘faces lifted’.

An alternative plastic surgery solution to these neck issues is to treat it directly…known as a direct neck lift. Rather than chase the extra neck skin back to the ears for its removal, it can be done by removing it from the midline of the neck where the problem actually is. This is a far simpler operation, with very little recovery, no pain other than a little neck tightness, and no change in the hairline or scars around the ears. ]

The downside to a direct neck lift is that there is a midline scar running down the middle of the neck. The pertinent question becomes…what does this scar look like and how noticeable is it?

This is best answered by looking at actual pictures of scars. My experience indicates that for most men it can look surprisingly good. Besides good surgical technique and incision placement, the main reason is the unique healing quality of skin with beard hair. Men’s skin is thicker, more vascularized, and heals quicker due to contributions from the hair follicles. (which actually lie below the skin) The hair follicle is responsible for having an increased skin thickness and a better blood supply. Plus, men do a unique daily scar treatment after surgery….they shave. This is like having daily microdermabrasion scar treatments after the incision is fairly well healed. (men usually shave around it for a week or so and then directly over it thereafter)

Here is an example of a direct neck lift scar two weeks after surgery.

 Here is an example of a direct neck lift scar three months after surgery.

 Most men will develop some thickening of the neck scar just above the adam’s apple (thyroid cartilage) where the tension is greatest several months after surgery. For many men they do not feel that this is a problem. For others I treat it with some steroid injections or perform a small z-plasty in the office to relieve it.

Acne Removal Tips for Men to Tone Up Complexion

www.acneskincaretreatments.com

Acne affects people irrespective of their sex. Men lack the knowledge to deal with acne than women, as skincare, beauty regimen and acne removal products is widely used by the fairer sex and thousands of beauty products are available for them. Hence, very useful tips are given under for the men folk:

Either your wife or girl friend can provide some valuable tips on skin care and products used for taking care of acne. A visit to the skin doctor might also be very helpful in combating acne and to prevent breakouts of acne.

Before shaving off the facial hair, it is advised to use a clean, warm cloth soaked in warm water to soften the skin and the facial hair. It removes dead skin cells if any blocking the pores, thus acting as an exfoliator and also makes the skin smoother. There is a less chance of nicking any existing acne.

If the person has to work exposing his skin to the sun or play games under the sun, use of a strong sun block cream will help from tanning and also slow downs the aging process, without which he might be very much vulnerable to skin lesions, scars and acne. While using a sun block it should be checked for non-comedogenic or the one which doesn’t block the pores.

Consumption of alcohol might result in poor blood circulation, make the skin look old and might also delay the skin’s healing abilities on its own particularly when the person is suffering from acne or skin lesions. Smoking also might be delirious to the skin and make the skin susceptible to acne and related conditions.

To avoid acne and to keep the skin look younger, it is good to consume fresh vegetables and fruits, antioxidant rich vitamins like the vitamin a and c can help in the prevention of acne and other infections. Mild exercises like stretching and walking improves the circulation of blood and helps to fight against acne. Exercise also relieves stress in one way and this property helps to prevent acne.

If the men already have acne scars, that too is treatable nowadays, as the science has enabled hide or rectify acne scars through either steroids injections, or through the application of chemical peels on the scarred tissue and is used when the condition is not severe. The chemical peels, help in the growth of new and healthier skin on the affected area, hence rectifying the problem. For extreme conditions plastic surgery may be advisable.

Older job-seekers find plastic surgery gives them an edge

 

NJ.com

In this dog-eat-dog job market, wrinkles can be costly. Lou Capolino, an out-of-work sales executive, said he got passed up for several positions before he opted to have a plastic surgeon remove the telltale signs of age around his neck and eyes.

For Capolino, the surgery was as much a part of his job-searching strategy as the resume he had crafted so carefully to boast of his management experience.

"I'm a man of about 60. I'm competing against people who are younger, and I'm being interviewed by people who are younger," Capolino said. "I don't tell my age for fear of turning employers off."

As they compete against candidates who are younger by a decade or more, some seasoned job-seekers like Capolino are resorting to surgery to tighten jowls and erase wrinkles and frown lines wrought by age -- and formerly demanding careers.

"People who never thought they would ever have fillers (to treat frown and worry lines) are coming in for Botox injections or laser treatments," said Valerie Ablaza, a plastic surgeon in Montclair. "They're looking for any little thing that will give them an edge."

Companies struggling with the recession are slashing hundreds of jobs, and older, experienced workers aren't immune from the massive cuts. In the past year, the number of workers over the age of 55 who lost their jobs rose 2.8 percent. The number of unemployed workers between the ages of 45 and 54 increased 3.1 percent since last March.

For all those middle-aged workers, job-hunting can be an intimidating prospect. After all, they're competing against hundreds of other candidates, many much younger. Additionally, they are seeking higher salaries, which makes them more expensive in the job market. They're also older-looking, which can undermine their self-confidence. 

Capolino, who has been out of work for more than a year, said he was rattled by the perception of some of the people he interviewed with for management positions.

"They saw me as someone too old to energize their company. It was so far from the truth, it hurt," Capolino said. "One of my biggest skills is my ability to mentor people and to motivate them."

To help level the job-searching field, Manhattan plastic surgeon Stephen Greenberg started offering special "tune-ups" for unemployed workers who found themselves competing against younger candidates."I realized what was going on in the job market and realized we had to address it in some way," Greenberg said.

The surgeon said the benefits for his customers are two-fold: They look younger, but perhaps more important is the changed attitude they take into a job interview.

"People may have the qualifications and the skills," Greenberg said, "but a big part of this is giving them the confidence."

Typically, boosting a person's confidence involves some of the quickest cosmetic procedures, such as treatments to fill, or temporarily erase, wrinkles, lines and other imperfections. Some patients may want skin-tightening -- "a little more involved, but still quick," Greenberg said.

If more work is involved, Greenberg might suggest a mini face-lift to tighten jowls, necks and faces or an eyelid lift to alter another telltale sign of aging, the baggy folds that form over the eyes. "These are surgical quick-fixes that rejuvenate a person," he said.

One 51-year-old Morris County woman, who asked to remain anonymous because she is actively looking for a job, said confidence and self-esteem do help "in this day and age and in this job market."

An accountant who lost her job in a restructuring earlier this year, the woman said she started getting Botox and laser treatments about five years ago and they've become as routine as getting her hair styled. Even after she lost her job, the plastic surgeon wasn't something she was willing to cut from her budget.

She isn't concerned only about how she stacks up against other job candidates, she's also concerned about the impression she makes at networking events, where she is often older than the majority of the crowd.

"Looking good helps me to keep a positive outlook," she said, "and that shows through to potential employers," she said. "The way you look helps you feel good about yourself."

Karen Vito, who does marketing for a Long Island-based spa and salon chain, went on several interviews where she found herself competing against younger women -- and losing the jobs to them. In each of the positions, she would have been the public face for the companies, which are considered part of the beauty industry.

"I found out who the jobs were going to, and to me, it was ridiculous," she said, "I really felt it might have had something to do with the way I looked. I thought, well maybe I am too old."

Vito, who is 43, went to see Greenberg, the New York City plastic surgeon, to find out what he could do for her. Ultimately, she agreed to have about $3,500 worth of noninvasive work done to erase the creases on her forehead and the folds around her mouth. Greenberg also removed fine lines along her upper lip, left by years of cigarette-smoking.

Within three weeks of having the work done, Vito said she landed her current job.

"I do look much younger. I definitely chalked it up to feeling better about myself and having more confidence," she said. "Maybe that gave me the edge."

Ablaza said some of the patients coming into her office for consultations are women in their 50s and 60s who are looking for work after their husbands have lost jobs or their retirement funds have shrunk dramatically in the past year.

"It's an age when they might think about getting a facelift, but they want it to be a smooth, natural transition," she said. "They often decide to get more subtle changes, like eyelid surgery."

Men also are among the job-seekers going to Brian Glatt, a plastic surgeon in Morristown.

"There's been a slow-growing acceptance for men to do it," Glatt said. "They just don't talk about it as openly as women."

But Paul Carniol, a plastic surgeon in Summit, said men are still apt to get a haircut or a shoe shine before they contemplate cosmetic changes. The job-seeker patients he's seen recently are largely women, many of whom who are requesting procedures to remove wrinkles and restore volume, which gives their face a younger appearance.

"The middle-aged realize they're at a disadvantage," Carniol said. "They want to look their best if they're going for an interview, so they come in asking for some Botox, something easy, something affordable."

"They may feel better about themselves," he said. "They may interview better."

Do you have a testosterone deficiency?

Naturally testosterone declines with age and as a result you might get the disease known as hypogonadism. Hypogonadism is due to producing low testosterone or a testosterone deficiency which may damage the hypothalamus, pituitary gland or testicles by inhibiting the hormone secretion and testosterone production. Insufficient testosterone can lead to abnormalities in muscle and bone development, underdeveloped genitalia, and diminished virility.

Testosterone is the androgenic hormone primarily responsible for normal growth and development of male sex and reproductive organs, including the penis, testicles, scrotum, prostate, and seminal vesicles. It makes possible the development of secondary male sex characteristics such as musculature, bone mass, fat distribution, hair patterns, laryngeal enlargement, and vocal cord thickening. Additionally, normal testosterone levels maintain energy level, healthy mood, fertility, and sexual desire.

The testes produce testosterone regulated by a complex chain of signals that begins in the brain. This chain is called the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to the pituitary gland in carefully timed pulses (bursts), which triggers the secretion of leutenizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. Leutenizing hormone stimulates the Leydig cells of the testes to produce testosterone. Normally, the testes produce 4–7 milligrams (mg) of testosterone daily.

Testosterone production increases rapidly at the onset of puberty and decreases rapidly after the age of 50. Studies show that about 13 million men in the United States experience testosterone deficiency and less than 10% receive treatment for the condition. Men that are obese, have diabetes or hypertension may be twice as likely to have low testosterone levels.

The possibilities of testosterone therapy are enticing — increase your muscle mass, sharpen your memory and mental focus, boost your libido, and improve your energy level. As you get older, testosterone therapy may sound like the ultimate anti-aging formula. But health benefits from testosterone therapy aren't quite so clear-cut.

Before you buy into the tempting claims, find out what's known — and not known — about testosterone therapy so that you can make the best decision for your long-term health.

Your doctor can prescribe a synthetic version of testosterone. Testosterone therapy using testosterone replacement medications may be necessary for men who have very low levels of testosterone (hypogonadism). Testosterone therapy medications are available as injections, patches and gels.

It's not clear that naturally falling testosterone levels cause any signs and symptoms in men. Studies of men who have very low levels of testosterone due to diseases and treatments may offer some clues to the role testosterone plays in a man's body as he ages. According to those studies, testosterone deficiency can have several effects on the body, including:

• Decreased sexual function
• Loss of bone density
• Loss of muscle mass
• Increase in fat mass
• Reduced muscle strength
• Memory loss
• Mood changes and depression

Some men experience these signs and symptoms, but don't have unusually low levels of testosterone. Others may have low levels of testosterone, but don't experience any signs and symptoms that would prompt them to seek treatment.

Some men believe that taking testosterone medications may help them feel younger and more vigorous as they age. But while studies show that testosterone therapy can restore your testosterone level to that of your youth, it isn't clear that there's any benefit to this. And it isn't clear if a higher testosterone level can help you live longer.

Few rigorous studies have examined testosterone therapy in men with healthy testosterone levels. Some small studies have revealed unclear results. For instance, studies found that healthy men who take testosterone medications saw their muscle mass increase, but in most studies the men weren't any stronger after testosterone therapy.

Not enough study has been done to determine the risks of testosterone therapy in men with normal testosterone levels. In theory, a higher than normal testosterone level could increase a man's risk of prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). But studies haven't determined whether testosterone therapy could cause these complications.

Studies show testosterone therapy can cause sleep apnea in some men. This condition causes you to continually start and stop breathing as you sleep. Testosterone therapy may also cause your body to make too many red blood cells (polycythemia), which can increase your risk of heart disease.

Consider these pros and cons when evaluating testosterone therapy:

Potential benefits	Potential risks
Improve muscle mass and strength Increase bone mineral density Thicken body hair and skin Improve sexual desire Boost energy Decrease irritability and depression Improve cognitive function	Cause skin reactions Cause fluid retention Cause baldness Cause or aggravate sleep apnea Stimulate noncancerous growth of the prostate and cause or worsen urinary symptoms Stimulate growth of prostate cancer that's already present Enlarge breasts Stimulate growth of breast cancer that's already present Cause testicle shrinkage Limit sperm production Stimulate excess blood production Cause acne

If you're concerned that you might have a hormone deficiency, talk to your doctor. A decline in testosterone that falls below normal values may be a reason to take supplemental testosterone. There is some controversy about whether testosterone therapy should be used in men who have naturally lower testosterone levels as a result of aging. It remains unclear whether restoring the testosterone levels to those of youth benefits older men.