Cenegenics Complete Guide to Healthy Aging - (Page 18) That’s why savvy corporations are championing a corporate culture, which fosters better health and subsequently improves productivity. How does all of this connect with having diminished hormone levels? Hormones perceptibly alter physical, sexual and cognitive functions, often with psychological complications. Until recently, these changes were accepted as “growing old,” forcing individuals into the background. We now realize delaying premature disabilities is viable, since the body’s hormone receptors don’t lose their ability to respond to hormone messages. These receptors are waiting to be filled. Restoring hormonal balance with hormone optimization and healthier lifestyle choices really can turn the tide. FEMALE MENOPAUSE • Affects all women • Symptoms begin at a specific point, often abruptly • Dramatic drop in estrogen levels, beginning in 40s or 50s, along with progesterone and testosterone diminishment • Diminishing hormonal levels result in changes that can seriously affect physical and mental health • Resulting symptoms: difficulty in sexual arousal, vaginal dryness, cardio concerns, weight gain, osteoporosis, cognitive concerns, hot flashes, anxiety, emotional upheavals, irritability, lack of skin elasticity, aches, pains and stiffness • Unable to reproduce For example, both genders experience menopause. Male menopause (called andropause) is subtler than its female counterpart. Sparked by a decline in androgens (male sex hormones), male menopause typically begins in the 0s. Female menopause (marked by a dynamic drop in estrogen and testosterone levels) occurs at a definitive point in time, while male menopause moves stealthily over a period of 0 years. Nonetheless, both genders battle the same symptoms mentioned earlier. However, in the male aging process, there are compound challenges. Testosterone output decreases approximately %-3% per year, starting at age 30. Men also begin to form more estrogen, which stores in fat. A typical 0-year-old male at normal weight has more estrogen than his female, postmenopausal counterpart. These higher estrogen levels ultimately compete with testosterone for the same receptors. In addition, an increase in sex hormone-binding globulins (SHBG) takes up even more of the free testosterone. This loss of testosterone contributes to a middle-aged man’s “pot belly” and reduced muscle tone. The differences between the sexes are quantitative, not qualitative. Both genders may need additional hormones to get their bodies back in balance, if testing reveals diminished levels. II. the Universal truth: Aging MALE MENOPAUSE • More subtle, affecting some men • Symptoms creep up over a period of 20 years • Reduction of testosterone, beginning in early 30s • Diminishing hormonal levels result in changes that can seriously affect physical and mental health • Resulting symptoms: difficulty in sexual arousal, weaker erections, cardio concerns, weight gain, osteoporosis, cognitive concerns, fatigue, depression, emotional upheavals, irritability, anxiety, lack of skin elasticity, aches, pains and stiffness • Maintains ability to produce sperm The Male-Female Connection Throughout time, a line has been drawn, dividing the sexes. But regarding the effects of aging, that line decidedly blurs. Aging is about diminishing hormones. Since both men and women have the same hormones, aging is aging— regardless of gender. However, the nuances in symptoms are distinguished only by amounts. 8 WWW.CENEGENICS.COM ii. th e u niversal tr uth : ag ing http://WWW.CENEGENICS.COM
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