Because the various glands in the body work in unison and rely upon each other, the reduction in levels of testosterone in men and oestrogen in women, causes an imbalance and affects other hormones released by the various glands in the body such as the adrenal, hypothalamus, pineal, pituitary, sebaceous, sweat and thyroid which in turn causes the symptoms listed below.
Male andropause
Unlike menopause in women, the andropause (testosterone decline) in men is a slower process. The testes, unlike the ovaries, do not suddenly run out of the substance it needs to make testosterone. A healthy male may be able to make sperm well into his eighties or longer. However, subtle changes in the function of the testes and prostate may occur as early as 45 to 50 years of age and more dramatically after the age of 70 in some men.
Men can suffer the same symptoms as women due to hormonal imbalances as they age and, when it begins, it is often called ‘the midlife crisis’. Because the hormones are responsible for all aspects of bodily functions included the brain and thought processes, psychological changes do take place as well.
Male andropause symptoms
- Aging skin
- Anxiety and depression
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hair loss
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Irrational thoughts
- Loss of libido
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
Some men become very insecure in themselves and try to prove their virility. This can destroy their long-term relationships and family life so men should try to realise that it is their hormones causing these irrational thoughts and they may regret their actions when the hormones settle down again. There are many natural foods that can help to calm the mind, improve the mood and correct the hormonal imbalances for the male andropause.. These are listed below.
Female menopause
The average age of the natural female menopause is 51 years, but it can occur much earlier or later. Menopause occurring before the age of 45 is called early menopause and before the age of 40 is premature menopause.
At the menopause women run out of eggs. Each woman has a supply of eggs (approximately two million) from the moment she is born and over the years they are used up and die off. What the body does then, to try to get the woman to ovulate, is to release a follicle stimulating hormone.
This hormone is released every month in a normal cycle but during menopause, a woman’s body registers that ovulation is not taking place, so even more follicle stimulating hormone is produced. As the ovaries decline their production of oestrogen, the adrenal glands take over and produce another form of oestrogen (called oestrone) in order to compensate for the decline from the ovaries.
There are three phases of the female menopause:
- Premenopause periods are still regular but the first symptoms, such as hot flushes and mood changes, may appear.
- Perimenopause the function of the ovaries declines, the periods can become irregular, and symptoms may be more severe.
- Postmenopause is the time following the last period and is usually defined as more than 12 months with no periods in someone with intact ovaries or immediately following surgery if the ovaries have been removed.
The passage through the menopause is medically termed the ‘climacteric’. The last menstruation is known as the menopause.
Female menopause symptoms
- Ageing skin
- Anxiety and depression
- Declining libido
- Headaches
- Hot flushes
- Insomnia
- Joint pains
- Lack of energy
- Mood swings
- Night sweats
- Osteoporosis
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
- Aches and pains
One symptom of menopause is an increase in frequency of normal aches, such as headaches, neck, joint and back pains.
Emotions
Irritability, depression, personality changes and anxiety are very common during the menopause. These changes can also cause a loss of sexual desire. Although these problems are related to the shortage of oestrogen and testosterone, some may be caused by the inability to cope with the psychological impact caused by all the other symptoms.
Added to all this is the fact that in many cases both men and women going through menopause and andropause might also be under several other stressful situations during this period. Coping with teenage children, children moving out, aging parents or money worries can also influence the state of mind of menopausal men and women.
Bladder problems
Most women going through menopause complain of the following bladder problems, bladder infection, low bladder capacity, inability to contain urine or frequent urination. These problems start when bladder tissue becomes deprived of oestrogen. Men also experience these conditions due to prostate problems.
Hot flushes
The body’s thermostat is located in the hypothalamus are of the brain, which stops working properly if levels of oestrogen are not sufficient. This will cause extremely hot or cold sensations.
Skin problems
The skin and collagen fibres are very sensitive to low levels of oestrogen causing dry, thinner and aging looking skin, irritation and wrinkles.
Sleep problems
The pineal gland is responsible for normal sleep patterns. When hormone levels are imbalanced during menopause it will also affect this gland and cause insomnia. Hot flushes and night sweats can add to the problem.
Vaginal dryness
Inadequate vaginal lubrication can be a very disturbing for most women due to the pain, discomfort and sometimes bleeding experienced during sexual intercourse. Using a natural lubricant such as pure coconut oil can help.
Natural remedies for the andropause and menopause
Many of the symptoms and discomforts experienced during the andropause and menopause can be relieved by using natural home remedies. Make herbal teas using bottled mineral water and sip three cups throughout the day hot or cold from any of the following (add honey and lemon juice if desired).
- Basil
- Black cohosh
- Black seed
- Blessed thistle
- Burdock root
- Dandelion
- Dill
- Dong quai
- False unicorn
- Fennel
- Ginkgo biloba
- Ginseng
- Hops
- Kava
- Liquorice root
- Milk thistle
- Motherwort
- Pine needles
- Red clover
- Sarsaparilla
- Stinging nettles
- Valerian
- Wild yam
- Yarrow
Bitter leaf is a powerful African herb for women to take before, during and after the menopause as it helps the body produce the correct oestrogen levels and in doing so can prevent the hot flushes and other symptoms that can occur.
Sage: Painful menstrual periods and excessive milk flow during nursing have been kept at bay by sage in the past. It is also highly effective in avoiding nightmares during pregnancy and menopausal hot flushes. The herb temporarily eases the effects of hormonal imbalances and fluctuations.
St John’s wort is especially useful in the treatment of anxiety, depression and insomnia and can be helpful to both men and women who suffer these symptoms and other emotional disturbances during the andropause or menopause.
Berries (red, blue or black), citrus fruit, cod liver or krill oil (1000 mg per day), evening primrose oil, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, pineapple juice, root vegetables and soya beans can also help to alleviate symptoms of both menopause and andropause.
NOTE: Some herbs and foods can have an adverse effect under certain circumstances see>> What to avoid and when
Nutrients that can alleviate symptoms of the andropause and menopause
Coumestan: Consuming foods rich in coumestan can help treat menopause and andropause symptoms and lowers the risk of hip fractures, breast cancer and heart disease.
Natural sources of coumestan in alphabetical order
- Alfalfa
- Butterbeans
- Clover
- Soya beans
- Split peas
Methionine: Those who are on oral contraceptives or oestrogen replacement therapy will find methionine to be helpful. Since oestrogen is cleared through the liver, an enhanced liver function will reduce the body’s oestrogen load. Specifically, methionine converts the stronger and carcinogenic estradiol (E2) into estriol (E3) which is the “good” oestrogen as compared to estradiol.
Highest sources of methionine in milligrams per 100 grams
- Sesame seeds 1331 mg
- Chlorella (dried) 1300 mg
- Whelks 1205 mg
- Spirulina (dried) 1149 mg
- Sunflower seeds 1033 mg
- Brazil nuts 1008 mg
- Chicken 859 mg
- Tuna fish (tinned) 755 mg
- Calf’s liver, pumpkin seeds, squash seeds 740 mg
- Quail 716 mg
- Pheasant 710 mg
- Beef (lean mince) 694 mg
- Mackerel (tinned) 686 mg
- Cod 679 mg
- Lamb’s liver 664 mg
- Salmon (Atlantic farmed) 654 mg
- Cheddar cheese 652 mg
- Shrimp/prawns 589 mg
- Lobster 577 mg
- Caviar (fish roe) 553 mg
- Rabbit 545 mg
- Mussels 537 mg
- Crab 515 mg
- Venison 505 mg
- Turkey 495 mg
- Sunflower seeds 494 mg
- Eggs 380 mg
- Flaxseeds 370 mg
- Squid 351 mg
- Quinoa 309 mg
- Peanuts 291 mg
- Pine nuts 259 mg
- Rye 248 mg
- Walnuts 236 mg
- Soya beans 224 mg
- Wheat 212 mg
- Brown rice 179 mg
- Almonds 151 mg
Omega-3 fatty acids: The body does not have the enzymes to produce linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acids) or linolenic acid (omega-3 fatty acids), previously known as vitamin F, as these are made by plants not animals, but they are required by the human body so must be consumed in the diet and are therefore essential.
Essential fatty acids are necessary to make cell membranes and for many of the important hormones and other chemical messengers that tell the body what to do.
They are especially important for making prostaglandins in the body which are hormone-like substances that regulate many activities including inflammation, pain and swelling (some cause swelling and others relieve it) which can help with preventing arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
They also play a role in controlling the blood pressure, heart, kidneys, the digestive system and body temperature and are related to allergic reactions, blood clotting and making other hormones.
A diet low in essential fatty acids could result in skin problems such as dandruff, eczema, splitting nails and dull brittle hair. Fatty acids influence the structure of the cells lining the intestinal tract, as well as the villi through which absorption of nutrients takes place.
They increase the thickness and surface area of the digestive-absorptive cells that line the inside of the intestine. This results in more effective digestion, better absorption of nutrients, less absorption of allergens and better health.
Omega-6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory, while omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory effect. Inflammation is essential for survival as it protects the body from infection and injury, but it can also cause severe damage and contribute to disease when the inflammatory response is inappropriate or excessive. Therefore, a balanced ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 is required. Most experts agree that the omega 6:3 ratio should range from 1:1 to 5:1 but the optimal ratio may vary with any condition or disease under consideration. Today’s diet in the developed world can have a far higher level of omega-6 to omega-3 and may be responsible for the rise in many conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease and inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Many foods contain both omega-3 and omega-6 but the western diet tends to have far higher omega-6 to omega-3 ratios. Hemps seeds are one of the few foods to contain the correct ratio. The other way to correct it is to consume more foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids and lower in omega-6.
Highest sources of omega-3 fatty acids in milligrams per 100 grams
- Krill oil 36000 mg
- Flaxseed oil 22813 mg
- Chia seeds 17552 mg
- Walnuts 9079 mg
- Caviar (fish eggs) 6789 mg
- Cloves (ground) 4279 mg
- Oregano (dried) 4180 mg
- Marjoram (dried) 3230 mg
- Tarragon (dried) 2955 mg
- Mackerel 2670 mg
- Herring 2365 mg
- Salmon (wild) 2018 mg
- Lamb 1610 mg
- Basil (dried) 1509 mg
- Sardines 1480 mg
- Anchovies 1478 mg
- Soya beans 1433 mg
- Trout 1068 mg
- Pecans, sea bass 986 mg
- Pine nuts 787 mg
- Bell peppers (green) 770 mg
- Oysters 740 mg
- Radish seeds sprouted 722 mg
- Purslane 400 mg
- Basil (fresh leaves) 316 mg
- Rabbit 220 mg
- Kidney beans 194 mg
- Wakame seaweed 188 mg
- Alfalfa sprouts 175 mg
- Brussel sprouts 173 mg
- Rocket 170 mg
- Cauliflower 167 mg
- Spinach 138 mg
- Broccoli 129 mg
- Raspberries 126 mg
- Lettuce 113 mg
- Blueberries 94 mg
- Summer squash 82 mg
- Strawberries 65 mg
- Milk 75 mg
- Eggs 74 mg
- Chinese cabbage (pak choy) 55 mg
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): Foods rich in vitamin B6 can help alleviate andropause and menopause symptoms.
Highest sources of vitamin B6 in milligrams per 100 grams
- Rice bran 4.07 mg
- Sage 2.69 mg
- Brewer’s yeast 1.50 mg
- Sunflower seeds 1.35 mg
- Wheat germ 1.30 mg
- Garlic 1.24mg
- Pistachio nuts 1.12 mg
- Tuna fish 1.04 mg
- Beef or calf’s liver 1.03 mg
- Shiitake mushrooms 0.97 mg
- Salmon 0.94 mg
- Turkey 0.81 mg
- Venison 0.76 mg
NOTE: Wild salmon (0.94 mg) contains far more vitamin B6 than farmed salmon (0.56 mg) and fresh salmon and tuna are far richer in vitamin B6 than tinned.
Vitamin D (cholecalciferol): Consume foods rich in vitamin D and get 15 minutes of midday sunshine on bare skin as often as possible. Between October and April, in the northern hemisphere, the sun’s rays are too weak for vitamin D to be produced by the skin and thus extra foods rich in vitamin D must be consumed.
The body only stores enough for up to 60 days so it is important to have a blood test in December to check levels because, when people reach around 50, the ability to produce this vitamin diminishes and any damage to the liver will also reduce levels as will wearing sun block or covering the skin. Vitamin D is vital for the bones and immune system.
Highest sources of vitamin D per serving listed
- Krill oil – 1 teaspoon: 1000 IU
- Eel – 85 g or 3 oz: 792 IU
- Maitake mushrooms – 70 g: 786 IU
- Rainbow trout – 85 g or 3 oz: 540 IU
- Cod liver oil – 1 teaspoon: 440 IU
- Mackerel – 85 g or 3 oz: 400 IU
- Salmon – 85 g or 3 oz: 400 IU
- Halibut – 85 g or 3 oz: 196 IU
- Tuna – 85 g or 3 oz: 228 IU
- Sardines – 85 g or 3 oz: 164 IU
- Chanterelle mushrooms – 85 g or 3 oz: 155 IU
- Raw milk – 1 glass or 8 oz: 98 IU
- Egg yolk – 1 large: 41 IU
- Caviar – 28g or 1 oz: 33 IU
- Hemp seeds – 100 g or 3.5 oz: 22 IU
- Portabella mushrooms – 85 g or 3 oz: 6 IU
Vitamin E (tocopherols, tocotrienols): Consuming foods rich in the powerful antioxidant, vitamin E, can help to provide relief from menopause and andropause symptoms and reduce the aging effects of free radicals on the skin.
Highest sources of vitamin E in milligrams per 100 grams
- Wheat germ 149.4 mg
- Hemp seeds 55 mg
- Hazelnut oil 47 mg
- Almond oil 39 mg
- Sunflower seeds 38.3 mg
- Chilli powder 38.1 mg
- Paprika 38 mg
- Rice bran oil 32 mg
- Grape seed oil 29 mg
- Almonds 26.2 mg
- Oregano 18.3 mg
- Hazelnuts 17 mg
- Flaxseed oil 17 mg
- Peanut oil 16 mg
- Hazelnuts 15.3 mg
- Corn oil 15 mg
- Olive oil 14 mg
- Soya bean oil 12 mg
- Pine nuts 9.3 mg
- Cloves (ground) 9 mg
- Peanuts 8 mg
- Celery flakes (dried) 6 mg
- Spirulina 5 mg
- Dried apricots 4.3 mg
- Bell peppers (red), eel, olives and salmon 4 mg
- Jalapeno peppers 3.6 mg
- Anchovies 3.3 mg
- Broccoli, chicken, chilli peppers (sun-dried), cod, crayfish, dandelion greens, egg yolk, duck, goose, pecan nuts, spinach, tomatoes (tinned or pureed) turkey and turnip greens 3 mg
- Avocado, beef, bilberries, blue berries, butter, chicory greens, cinnamon (ground), crab, halibut, herring (pickled), mackerel, marjoram, mustard greens, pistachio nuts, poppy seeds, sardines, sesame seeds, Swiss chard, trout, tuna, turnips and walnuts 2 mg
- Fish roe 1.9 mg
- Asparagus, kiwi fruit and parsnips 1.5 mg
- Black berries 1.2 mg
- Chlorella 1.1 mg
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) increases iron uptake, which vitamin E inhibits and vitamin C lowers manganese and zinc, while vitamin E helps increase manganese and zinc absorption. As a result, a high intake of vitamin E will require an equally high intake of vitamin C to maintain the same ratio which is why it is good to consume fruit with nuts and seeds. To find the highest sources of these minerals follow the links below.
Highest sources of vitamin C in milligrams per 100 grams
- Acerola cherries 1677.6 mg
- Camu camu berries 532 mg
- Rosehips 426 mg
- Green chillies 242.5 mg
- Guavas 228.3 mg
- Yellow bell peppers 183.5 mg
- Black currants 181 mg
- Thyme 160.01 mg
- Red chillies 143.7 mg
- Drumstick pods 141 mg
- Kale 120 mg
- Jalapeno peppers 118.6 mg
- Kiwi fruit 105.4 mg
- Sun dried tomatoes 102 mg
- Broccoli 89 mg
- Brussel sprouts 85 mg
- Cloves, saffron 81 mg
- Chilli pepper 76 mg
- Mustard greens 70 mg
- Cress 69 mg
- Persimmons fruit 66 mg
- Swede 62 mg
- Basil 61 mg
- Papaya 60 mg
- Rosemary 61 mg
- Strawberries 58 mg
- Chives 58 mg
- Oranges 53.2 mg
- Lemons 53 mg
- Pineapple 48 mg
- Cauliflower 48 mg
- Kumquats 43.9 mg
- Watercress 43 mg
- Wasabi root 41.9 mg
- Kidney bean sprouts 38.7 mg
- Melon 36.7 mg
- Elderberries 36 mg
- Breadfruit 29 mg
- Coriander 27 mg
Dietary additions to alleviate symptoms of the andropause and menopause
Changing the diet to natural organic whole foods and using some very specific herbs have shown remarkable improvements in both men and women going through the andropause or menopause. As the body ages, it becomes sluggish in digestion and absorption and is unable to manufacture sufficient proteins which the cells and glands require to function normally.
Medications and alcohol can add to this dilemma and make andropause and menopausal symptoms worse. The liver becomes overworked and needs regular cleansing to flush out toxin and fat stores.
Natural foods that can assist with this are listed here>> Cleanse and Detoxify
Smoothies can successfully treat menopausal symptoms. The best organic natural foods to blend are:
Natural toner for dry skin
Toners are used to improve the appearance of the skin, to soothe and to nourish. Men can use toners as aftershaves.
Ingredients
- 56 g (2 oz) aloe vera gel
- 56 g (2 oz) orange-blossom water
- One teaspoon of white vinegar
- Six drops rose geranium essential oil
- Four drops sandalwood essential oil
- One drop chamomile essential oil
- One teaspoon of vitamin E oil
Method
Mix all ingredients and use daily after washing the face or shaving.
Coconut oil is an effective natural toxin-free moisturiser that has antifungal and antibacterial properties and leaves no oily residue on the skin. It is also safe to use on babies and animals.
Warning about mesh implants
Pelvic organ prolapses (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are conditions that typically plague women after a hysterectomy, menopause or childbirth. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when a woman’s pelvic muscles weaken and the pelvic organs (including the bladder, rectum and uterus) drop into the vagina.
Transvaginal mesh is a net-like implant used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence in women. The product design and implantation technique contribute to serious complications, such as mesh erosion, mesh contraction and organ perforation. Read more
Related subjects
- A-Z of ailments
- Bone and joint disorders (arthritis, osteoporosis)
- Brain and mental health disorders (anxiety, depression, insomnia)
- Dementia (Alzheimer’s disease)
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence)
- Gland disorders
- Hair and nail disorders
- Headaches
- Heart disorders
- Hormone functions and health
- Improve your sex drive
- Infertility
- Liver disorders
- Menstrual problems
- Nerve disorders
- Obesity
- Pain and inflammation
- Prostate problems
- Skin disorders (eczema)
Join our mailing list to receive your monthly emailed newsletter with all the latest scientific findings for natural health remedies.