HEALTH QUESTIONS
Is there a male cycle?
Hormones also fluctuate in men. However, the cycle does not last a month, but a day. If the testosterone level is too low, this can have a massive effect
Pia Kruckenhauser
May 16, 2023, 06:00
The menstrual cycle is primarily known to women. On average, it lasts 28 days and is accompanied by hormonal changes - which can also bring mood swings, sudden bouts of anger or dejection, or binge eating. But men also have a kind of cycle - and a change as hormones change with aging.
Unlike women, the hormonal cycle does not last around four weeks, but 24 hours. During this period, the male sex hormones change, especially testosterone. The level of testosterone moves in waves, peaking in the morning and declining steadily throughout the day. It is then replenished during the night. But men can breathe a sigh of relief. As a rule, these fluctuations do not trigger symptoms similar to those experienced by some women in the second half of their cycle.
In women, the cycle ends when they start menopause. Here, too, there is an analogy in men. This is because testosterone production decreases with aging, and the so-called andropause can occur. This can be accompanied by the same typical symptoms as menopause, such as sweating, exhaustion, general listlessness or loss of libido.
Gripping lifestyle term
Michael Eisenmenger, a urologist in Vienna who specializes in men's health, doesn't think the term "andropause" is ideal, "but it's catchy. However, he confirms that something can change in men. Two areas of the body are mainly responsible for the level of the male sex hormone, the hypothalamus and the testicles. "The hypothalamus controls testosterone production through a feedback mechanism; it throws it on when the level in the blood drops too far. In older men, however, it no longer functions as constantly. In parallel, testosterone secretion in the testes decreases, which in combination can then lead to problems."
However, the change is nowhere near as massive as in women; testosterone levels drop by 1.2 to 1.6 percent per year. This starts as early as age 40, and many don't even notice it. But as many as six percent of men have massive hormone problems, the medical term for which is functional hypogonadism. Typical symptoms are listlessness, loss of libido, sweating, fatigue, irritability or even physical consequences such as osteoporosis.
The belly is to blame
The problems are very often triggered by an unhealthy lifestyle. When men are overweight, for example, fat cells accumulate mainly in the abdomen. However, visceral fat in particular affects hormone production because abdominal fat cells produce aromatase. This is an enzyme that converts testosterone into estradiol, a female sex hormone. This in turn interferes with the regulatory mechanism of the hypothalamus, and the already declining testosterone level is lowered further.
If a man suspects that something is wrong with his hormone balance, he should have his testosterone level checked - and in the morning, Eisenmenger emphasizes, because that's when the level is highest during the day. "This is really important because the hormonal balance simply controls an enormous amount. You don't even have on the screen where the testosterone is involved everywhere." Anemia and severe fatigue, for example, can come from it, as can an unexplained loss of muscle mass. Another indication is also a so-called petty trauma, if one breaks something despite light load. "Then you should definitely think about osteoporosis in men as well."
If there is a lack of the male sex hormone, hormone replacement therapy can also be considered. Normally, testosterone is then administered in a cream through the skin, similar to what women receive in hormone replacement therapy. In the past, there were also capsules, Eisenmenger reports, but they put a strain on the liver. And theoretically, there is also a testosterone implant, but the expert does not use that: "I prescribe testosterone in an oily liquid that you inject into the buttock muscle. But that's not like bodybuilding, where some people inject themselves with really high doses for more muscle mass. This therapy is used to replace a deficit under medical supervision." That's important because if used incorrectly, there can also be side effects, such as heart problems, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease or even depression.
Penis as antenna of the heart
Hormone replacement therapy has a bad reputation among some. For example, there is a side effect that increases the risk of prostate cancer. But Eisenmenger reassures: "Such therapy cannot trigger carcinoma. Yes, the prostate is often enlarged in older men, but that happens on its own. But what is known is that the prostate doesn't produce as much PSA when testosterone levels are low." This is prostate-specific antigen, an enzyme that can indicate carcinoma if its level is elevated. "If testosterone levels are too low, PSA is also low, the balance is off. With replacement therapy, the PSA goes up again. Then you may discover a carcinoma. But it is not caused by the therapy, which only makes the values realistic," emphasizes the expert.
In addition to therapy, Eisenmenger also recommends adjusting one's lifestyle and losing enough weight to get the body mass index (BMI) toward 25. "This works best if you eat lower in calories but higher in protein, plus lots of fiber. And more exercise is part of it, of course."
And he also insists that Mann should go for internal clarification: "Testosterone deficiency can lead to loss of libido and also to erection problems. But behind those can also be heart problems." The penile artery is only half as thick as the coronary arteries. If there are deposits and plaques, this can affect erectile function. Studies show that a dysfunctional erection can indicate an increased risk of heart attack within the next few years. "The penis is the antenna of the heart, so to speak. If there's something wrong with it, you should see a doctor urgently." (Pia Kruckenhauser, 5/16/2023)
Source (derstandard.at) | Archive
Pia Kruckenhauser
May 16, 2023, 06:00
The menstrual cycle is primarily known to women. On average, it lasts 28 days and is accompanied by hormonal changes - which can also bring mood swings, sudden bouts of anger or dejection, or binge eating. But men also have a kind of cycle - and a change as hormones change with aging.
Unlike women, the hormonal cycle does not last around four weeks, but 24 hours. During this period, the male sex hormones change, especially testosterone. The level of testosterone moves in waves, peaking in the morning and declining steadily throughout the day. It is then replenished during the night. But men can breathe a sigh of relief. As a rule, these fluctuations do not trigger symptoms similar to those experienced by some women in the second half of their cycle.
In women, the cycle ends when they start menopause. Here, too, there is an analogy in men. This is because testosterone production decreases with aging, and the so-called andropause can occur. This can be accompanied by the same typical symptoms as menopause, such as sweating, exhaustion, general listlessness or loss of libido.
Gripping lifestyle term
Michael Eisenmenger, a urologist in Vienna who specializes in men's health, doesn't think the term "andropause" is ideal, "but it's catchy. However, he confirms that something can change in men. Two areas of the body are mainly responsible for the level of the male sex hormone, the hypothalamus and the testicles. "The hypothalamus controls testosterone production through a feedback mechanism; it throws it on when the level in the blood drops too far. In older men, however, it no longer functions as constantly. In parallel, testosterone secretion in the testes decreases, which in combination can then lead to problems."
However, the change is nowhere near as massive as in women; testosterone levels drop by 1.2 to 1.6 percent per year. This starts as early as age 40, and many don't even notice it. But as many as six percent of men have massive hormone problems, the medical term for which is functional hypogonadism. Typical symptoms are listlessness, loss of libido, sweating, fatigue, irritability or even physical consequences such as osteoporosis.
The belly is to blame
The problems are very often triggered by an unhealthy lifestyle. When men are overweight, for example, fat cells accumulate mainly in the abdomen. However, visceral fat in particular affects hormone production because abdominal fat cells produce aromatase. This is an enzyme that converts testosterone into estradiol, a female sex hormone. This in turn interferes with the regulatory mechanism of the hypothalamus, and the already declining testosterone level is lowered further.
If a man suspects that something is wrong with his hormone balance, he should have his testosterone level checked - and in the morning, Eisenmenger emphasizes, because that's when the level is highest during the day. "This is really important because the hormonal balance simply controls an enormous amount. You don't even have on the screen where the testosterone is involved everywhere." Anemia and severe fatigue, for example, can come from it, as can an unexplained loss of muscle mass. Another indication is also a so-called petty trauma, if one breaks something despite light load. "Then you should definitely think about osteoporosis in men as well."
If there is a lack of the male sex hormone, hormone replacement therapy can also be considered. Normally, testosterone is then administered in a cream through the skin, similar to what women receive in hormone replacement therapy. In the past, there were also capsules, Eisenmenger reports, but they put a strain on the liver. And theoretically, there is also a testosterone implant, but the expert does not use that: "I prescribe testosterone in an oily liquid that you inject into the buttock muscle. But that's not like bodybuilding, where some people inject themselves with really high doses for more muscle mass. This therapy is used to replace a deficit under medical supervision." That's important because if used incorrectly, there can also be side effects, such as heart problems, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease or even depression.
Penis as antenna of the heart
Hormone replacement therapy has a bad reputation among some. For example, there is a side effect that increases the risk of prostate cancer. But Eisenmenger reassures: "Such therapy cannot trigger carcinoma. Yes, the prostate is often enlarged in older men, but that happens on its own. But what is known is that the prostate doesn't produce as much PSA when testosterone levels are low." This is prostate-specific antigen, an enzyme that can indicate carcinoma if its level is elevated. "If testosterone levels are too low, PSA is also low, the balance is off. With replacement therapy, the PSA goes up again. Then you may discover a carcinoma. But it is not caused by the therapy, which only makes the values realistic," emphasizes the expert.
In addition to therapy, Eisenmenger also recommends adjusting one's lifestyle and losing enough weight to get the body mass index (BMI) toward 25. "This works best if you eat lower in calories but higher in protein, plus lots of fiber. And more exercise is part of it, of course."
And he also insists that Mann should go for internal clarification: "Testosterone deficiency can lead to loss of libido and also to erection problems. But behind those can also be heart problems." The penile artery is only half as thick as the coronary arteries. If there are deposits and plaques, this can affect erectile function. Studies show that a dysfunctional erection can indicate an increased risk of heart attack within the next few years. "The penis is the antenna of the heart, so to speak. If there's something wrong with it, you should see a doctor urgently." (Pia Kruckenhauser, 5/16/2023)
Source (derstandard.at) | Archive
