Hot Flashes Aren’t Just for Women: The Truth About Male Menopause Part 2. Missed part 1? Check it out here
As men age, they can experience hormonal shifts similar to female menopause. This phenomenon, known as andropause or “male menopause,” affects about 20% of men in their 40s and 50s. While less dramatic than female menopause, andropause can cause significant symptoms that impact quality of life.
In this part 2 let’s look at estrogen’s role in the male body.
What part does estrogen play in Male Menopause?
A man’s normal hormonal makeup includes the presence of a small supply of estrogen. Similarly, a female requires a small amount of testosterone, primarily for bone and muscle development.
In the bodies of both men and women, the balance of estrogen and testosterone is critical!
The two hormones are chemically quite similar. The male body can convert a certain portion of testosterone into estrogen using an enzyme found in the adrenal glands and fat cells called aromatase.
This conversion process is necessary for the healthy functioning of estrogen-sensitive tissues in a man’s body. Estrogen is extremely beneficial to the male brain, especially for learning and memory.
Aromatase Overproduction
However, as a man grows older, he produces larger quantities of aromatase, which can convert too much testosterone to estrogen. If estrogen levels get out of hand, the estrogen to testosterone ratio shifts and estrogen will compete with the masculinizing effects of testosterone.
Estrogen has a powerful opposing or reducing effect on testosterone, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke, as well as a cell growth-promoting effect on the prostate gland, increasing the occurrence of benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.
Also, estrogen increases the body’s production of SHBG, which lowers the amount of the active free testosterone. Conversely, high levels of testosterone will depress production of SHBG.
Estrogen-mimicking Chemicals:
Chemicals, known as xenoestrogens (i.e., estrogen-mimicking chemicals) are found in our environment (plastics, solvents, petroleum-based chemicals) as well as in conventional foods (herbicides, pesticides).
They also have a powerful estrogen-like effect on the human body which can add to the estrogen overload. In contrast, organic, non-GMO fermented soy foods (one serving/day) and flaxseeds (1-2 tablespoonfuls ground/day) have a positive effect on the estrogen overload.
Both contain isoflavones, a type of natural phytoestrogen that competes with estrogen for receptor sites and blocks its action.
The herb Saw Palmetto fruit (Serenoa repens) also seems to have a similar phyoestrogenic blocking effect on estrogen receptor sites.
What is the connection between obesity, estrogen and Male Menopause?
In many cases, obesity, especially in the abdominal area, is attributed to male hormonal imbalances. Fat cells can synthesize the aromatase enzyme, causing male hormones to be converted to estrogen.
An increase in the number or size of fat cells can cause estrogen levels to go up substantially. Obese men often suffer from testosterone deficiency. As well, central obesity (potbelly) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes.
In his book, The Testosterone Syndrome, medical doctor Eugene Shippen states that alcohol, grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase estrogen levels in the body.
Cruciferous vegetables ( e.g., broccoli, cauliflower, kale, radishes as well as Maca powder) help to decrease estrogen levels.
Alcohol decreases zinc levels, and zinc is known to play a beneficial role in the male body as an inhibitor of excessively high levels of the aromatase enzyme.
Many men can help restore a proper testosterone/estrogen balance through supplementation of zinc (citrate or chelate), at a suggested dose of 30 to 90 mg./day for a period of six months.
In men over forty, maintaining a youthful level of free testosterone has many health benefits and often requires dedicated effort. However, studies show that men are often reluctant to admit, even to themselves, that they need help dealing with sexual health problems.
Hopefully, this article has provided some of the information needed to support those who recognize themselves or their loved ones experiencing the “male menopause” phase of life.
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References
The Decline of Androgen Levels in Elderly Men and Its Clinical and Therapeutic Implications. Endocrine Reviews, Volume 26, Issue 6, 1 October 2005, Pages 833–876 https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article/26/6/833/2355179
Sex steroid hormones matter for learning and memory: estrogenic regulation of hippocampal function in male and female rodents. Learn Memory, 2015 Sep; 22(9): 472–493 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4561402/
Mayo Clinic: Sexual Health. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/testosterone-therapy/art-20045728
Mayo Clinic Minute: Low testosterone levels can affect men. June 10, 2019 https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-low-testosterone-levels-can-affect-men/
Mayo Clinic: Male hypogonadism. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-hypogonadism/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354886
Gooren, L. Endocrine aspects of aging in the male, Mol Cell Endcr. 1998 Oct 25; 145(1-2): 153-9 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9922112/
Shippen, E. The Testosterone Syndrome, NY: Evans & Co., 1998
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