Hormonal imbalance in men is the cause of deterioration in potency and a decrease in sex drive. The health of the heart and blood vessels, bone tissue, nervous and reproductive systems depends on the level of hormones. Sex cells affect mood, vitality and overall performance.
Causes of hormone problems
Hormonal imbalances in men can be caused by many different factors. Most often, such a problem is faced by men who have reached the age of extinction of reproductive function. Pathology also occurs in young men who have reached puberty. During these periods of life, the vulnerability of the male endocrine system reaches its maximum value. The development and functioning of the male body is affected by hormones, the main of which is testosterone.
The hormonal background changes not only with age, but also throughout the day. This does not harm health, but has a certain effect on mood, sex drive, and the degree of fatigue. If such fluctuations occur frequently, then the cause may be either an increased or a lowered level of testosterone or estrogen, a female hormone that is also present in the male body.
In young men, the causes of hormonal imbalance can be heredity, tumors, adverse environmental conditions, insufficient physical activity, testicular injuries, acute and chronic intoxication of the body, endocrine system pathologies, congenital malformations of endocrine glands. Violation of the functional activity of at least one of the organs of the endocrine system leads to hormonal failure.
Often, problems with hormones are caused by toxic damage to the body associated with the characteristics of professional activity, bad habits, the use of certain types of household or industrial chemicals. With a combination of adverse factors, hormonal failure can provoke malnutrition. A great danger to the human body is carbonated drinks with synthetic dyes.
At any age, the symptoms of hormonal imbalance can be caused by chronic overwork, both physical and mental, constant lack of sleep, frequent stresses. Some pharmacological agents can affect hormone synthesis. For example, drugs that are used in the treatment of peptic ulcer reduce the level of male hormones.
Other triggering factors
Testosterone levels are reduced by dyspnea, decreased diuresis (the amount of urine removed) due to pathological changes in the kidneys, high bilirubin and blood glucose, high cholesterol, high heart rate, high blood pressure, a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood, both to a smaller and big side.
An adverse effect on the synthesis of hormones is exerted by overheating of the testicles. The genitals of men function normally at a temperature of about 33.5 degrees Celsius. Wearing warm underwear in hot weather and constant overheating can lead to hormonal failure.
In older men, the functional activity of the gonads naturally decreases. The amount of "male" hormones in the blood decreases, and the "female" hormones increase. A lack of testosterone leads to obesity of the female type, and subsequently to the active synthesis of leptin. Leptin further inhibits the production of testosterone.
Signs of hormonal disruption
A frequent sign of hormonal imbalance is a decrease in sex drive and potency. In addition, a decrease in physical endurance, a tendency to depression, a decrease in muscle mass, general irritability, frequent weakness and malaise, dryness and brittle hair, fat deposits in the abdomen (obesity according to the female type), a decrease in skin elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles, pain are characteristic muscle and bone fragility.
Hormonal failure can lead to the development of osteoporosis in a man, which provokes a decrease in bone strength, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and nervous disorders. In adolescence, signs of both accelerated development and slowdown can be observed. In some cases, secondary sexual characteristics appear in boys as early as 7 years old. It is necessary to check hormones with a delay in sexual development for two years or more.
Hormone test
Symptoms of hormonal imbalance in men are divided into several groups by specialists. A simple test will help determine the type of hormonal failure. More than three coincidences in the symptoms of hormonal imbalance in men means that you need to see a specialist. In the first group, signs such as fatigue, weakness, decreased sex drive, weight and muscle loss, and deterioration of erection are distinguished. In this case, we can talk about the insufficient production of testosterone by the ovaries. This is the most common type of hormonal imbalance in men.
With baldness on the head, increased irritability, the appearance of fatty deposits on the abdomen, weight and chest enlargement, hair loss on the body and enlargement of the prostate gland, we are talking about an excess of "female" hormones in the body of a man. With a deficiency of the hormone produced by the adrenal glands, brown spots appear on the skin, physical endurance decreases, the skin becomes sagging, memory and attention worsen, and pressure decreases.
In some cases, a man has a low-grade fever, which is poorly strayed by drugs and lasts a long time. Failures in the rhythm of the heart, trembling hands, weakness in the arms and legs, sudden changes in mood, problems with sleep (usually insomnia), increased sweating. Such symptoms may be caused by thyroid problems. It is recommended that you undergo a full examination by an endocrinologist.
Diagnose a problem
At the first signs of hormonal imbalance, you need to undergo a comprehensive examination. Hormonal background is assessed by a blood test. Before analysis, weekly sexual rest and proper nutrition are recommended. Blood should be donated to an empty stomach in the morning. If the analysis is not properly prepared, the results may be incorrect.
Be sure to study the state of internal organs. Health could have deteriorated due to hormonal imbalances, so common causes of problems such as tumors, CNS lesions, or cirrhosis must be ruled out. To identify pathologies of the cardiovascular system, an ECG, ultrasound scanning of blood vessels and an analysis of the lipid profile are prescribed.
Hormone failure treatment
If hormonal imbalance is found by tests and a general examination, what should I do? Treatment depends on the characteristics of the body, the age of the patient, concomitant diseases and so on. In the vast majority of cases, medication is prescribed, which is supplemented by conservative.
Treatment of hormonal imbalance in men at a young age consists in the appointment of therapy aimed at enhancing the work of the sex glands, improving the activity of all organs and systems of the body in which the synthesis and metabolism of sex hormones occurs. The treatment regimen may include preparations of both plant and synthetic origin, vitamins. In certain cases, normalization of the work of other organs is required. Certain genetic abnormalities from an early age require hormone replacement therapy.
Replacement therapy
Deficiency of certain hormones detected in adulthood or old age, usually requires lifelong use of testosterone preparations. This is not so scary, because the advantages of using hormonal tablets aimed at maintaining the desired level of biologically active substances in the body are obvious in comparison with a deficiency.
After reaching the required concentration of testosterone, the work of the heart and blood vessels, the endocrine system, bones and muscles, cognitive function, that is, memory, concentration and attention, improves, and overall health improves.
Additional activities
In addition to the complex of medications, the patient is prescribed vitamin therapy, physiotherapy, herbal medicine. Recommended spa treatment, physical education and diet correction. Mud therapy is recommended. The procedure is carried out in balneological resorts. Laser therapy, hirudotherapy, massages are carried out.
Diet correction
If hormonal imbalance is detected, how to restore the norm? Absence of stress and nutritional correction are very important. It is recommended to use the so-called regular fats, which relieve inflammation, increase the metabolic rate and contribute to weight loss. The body functions well with sufficient intake of omega-3 and omega-6 unsaturated fats. This normalizes the hormonal background and even prolongs life. Omega-3 is found in oily fish and seafood, flaxseed oil, flax seeds and walnuts. Omega-6s are rich in sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, walnuts, almonds, chicken and turkey meat.
Folk remedies
How to treat hormonal imbalance? Folk remedies are also actively used to increase testosterone levels, but only as an additional measure, and not as the main treatment. It helps celery juice (two sips three times a day, the course of treatment is a month), freshly squeezed carrot juice (take 50 ml three times a day for four weeks), a decoction of the root of yellow lily (just eat under one tablespoon before eating three times per day), tincture of ginseng (dosage varies by age), broth of yarut (one tablespoon four times a day).
Before using any of the above herbal remedies, it is imperative to consult with a specialist about possible contraindications. You should not try to replace folk remedies with medicines prescribed by an endocrinologist or andrologist. Recipes of traditional medicine are quite effective, but should be used as supportive therapy, that is, as an auxiliary method of treatment.
Positive changes
With the normalization of testosterone and other hormones in the body, positive changes occur. Immediately improves the overall health of men, well-being and general tone, increases the ability to concentrate and remember, stabilizes mood. Bone tissue is strengthened, because the process of washing out calcium stops. The risk of heart attacks and strokes is reduced by improving the health of the heart and blood vessels. The course of hypertension is relieved, and diabetes reduces the risk of complications. In addition, muscle mass increases slightly and tone increases.
Basic preventive measures
The treatment of hormonal imbalance in some cases requires life-long, while in old age the extinction of reproductive function and the associated complications are a normal process. But if risk factors are excluded, then problems can be pushed aside. In the presence of inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system, hormones cease to be synthesized, so it is necessary to monitor the state of health. The production of testosterone decreases with violations of the prostate gland.
A man must control his weight, because the presence of extra pounds negatively affects the hormonal balance. Physical activity and physical activity should be appropriate for age. A sedentary lifestyle will immediately negatively affect potency. With insufficient supply of body cells with blood nutrients and oxygen, tissues will begin to atrophy.
Irreparable harm to men's health is caused by bad habits in the form of smoking and alcohol abuse. It also contributes to the death of healthy male germ cells. Bad habits can lead to pathological changes in the prostate gland.
Finally
Hormonal imbalance in men can be diagnosed at any age. You need to be aware of this problem and try to correct the situation by following the doctor's recommendations. Regular medical examinations and a healthy lifestyle will significantly improve the well-being of men and prolong sexual life.