Hormone Imbalance in Men: Signs, Causes, and Natural Solutions
It’s easy to assume that women have hormones – and men don’t. But that’s not the case; men have just as many hormones spanning their lives from testosterone to estrogen (yes, men need estrogen), cortisol, and thyroid. The moment any is out of balance, they inhibit energy, mood, sex drive and performance. Unfortunately, the reality of most men when it comes to hormones is that this change is gradual. In other words, men rarely realize their hormones are changing until their lives are overtaken with debilitating symptoms.
How to Identify The Symptoms
Hormonal imbalance doesn’t just sneak up on a man like a thief in the night – but it does sneak up on him with a plethora of symptoms he chalks up to aging or a stressful life. The first clear symptom is fatigue; we’re talking low energy – without a good night’s sleep. Men mistake being tired after a long day at work – or a strenuous workout, but when putting shoes on to get to the gym is as challenging as climbing Mount Everest because it’s the only time of the day a man can find peace and motivation, something is not right. Involuntary sexual changes are another clear indication – while decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased performance for men all happen – these are more linked to lower testosterone – but at the same time, they could be the spawn of stress, relationship woes and comorbidities – which is why many men disregard it.
Middle-aged weight gain – and fat redistribution from younger days to the gut happens when least expected, aided by stress increasing cortisol while simultaneously lowering testosterone. Men who work out on a regular basis maintain their muscle mass and burn fat – men who don’t see fat storage occurring instead. Along similar lines do mood changes get the best of men; that’s compounded by increasingly irritating jobs as men fail to see another alternative; lowered motivation to intensely depressive levels – and while many men assume these are because of work or life’s general stressors – in time, it’s a symptom of hormonal disconnect.
Sleep deprivation comes knocking, as well; poorly functioning sleep means poor hormones tomorrow or consistent night sweats/hot flashes – symptoms categorized too often with women in middle-aged menopause – rendering what should be basic life impossible; should brain fog get in the way of no reason (or at least reason outside hormone association), there’s cause for concern.
What Happens to Cause This
The first contributor is age; age is a natural contributor – a natural phenomenon that many cannot control. Most testosterone is produced at ages 18-30 – after 30 years old testosterone decreases by 1% per year; although for some men it takes drastic reduction around 50 for others it takes more gradual declines – but even thirty-something testosterone levels are enough to throw a man off kilter. Other problems arise from chronic stress where increased cortisol from stress castration induces need for adrenal component production however limits testosterone – or in the world where technology occupies ever-younger populations, it makes sense that populations fail to keep up as they age effectively – and it makes sense.
Diet plays a role – but many men are unaware that their dietary choices directly impact hormonal function. Since hormones are made of different variations of fatty acid compositions/and cholesterol elements, processed foods don’t give hormones stable living in the male body. Furthermore, alcohol severely limits testosterone production; healthy functioning from the liver comes from little to no consumption (or too much over prolonged amounts) but for whatever reason, it’s an offshoot that many men fail to acknowledge.
Chemicals replace any naturally found substance for men and women alike; plastics, pesticides, chemicals – from soap/lotion/hair gels – all endocrine disruptors which switch what was once natural hormones with supplemented hormones – that’s life – and instead of limiting exposure, we provide excess opportunities.
When a man either exercises too much or doesn’t exercise enough it’s problematic; when these warriors fail to flex their muscles, working out fails to create effectiveness for hormones – and without extra-simulated muscles meaning naturally-low testosterone working in other areas, no other areas benefit; when a man works himself into the ground, overtraining succeeds while testosterone production declines as failure wins – but then man gets frustrated instead of reproductive efficiency.
Natural Remedies to Restore Balance
Of course – and natural option presents itself which could limit or alleviate such concerns – suggested solutions that give hormonal balance a fighting chance since signs do not occur overnight but instead twist and turn over days/weeks/months – which means it’s better to catch an imbalance early and make changes before it snowballs into something worse.
Most importantly, realignment with diet occurs – more healthy fats – avocados/olive oil/nuts/fatty fish – for good fats/lipids which help create stronger attributes from cholesterol have been shown to stabilize versus nasty characteristics. Cruciferous vegetables metabolize extra estrogen while focusing on zinc (oysters or dark chocolate) help testosterone production, too.
Exercise helps with testosterone production – with strength/flexibility/compound movements as appropriate use helps gains without fail – as it proactively promotes better physical attributes/support as testosterone increases plus insulin sensitivity also increase with appropriate levels/intensity combined with activity levels – compound movements with joints work best with limited rest (gives them support) – and in addition pushes down body fat percentages while increasing muscle utilization.
Sleep becomes critical for hormonal balance – studies show over time that throughout sleep hormone production takes place; without sleep (or poor sleep), hormones barely stand a chance. The best sleep potential before bed has been shown to come from no blue light exposure/caffeine/exercise two hours before bed – and ideal atmospherics which are dark/cool/quiet are optimal for best hypoallergenic results.
Stress reduction occurs through whatever means necessary or works best – even if breathing exercises/yoga – or activities/nature walks/running/reading/hobbies – whatever alleviates stress supports a man best to limit complications – sometimes they just need to learn how set boundaries instead of additional avenues of finding stress reduction.
Botanical topical solutions work well in lieu of testosterone replacement therapy – which is the conventional option; for instance, Wild Yam Cream for Men carries plant-based properties to support hormones through dermal application; wild yam has been used anecdotally over years for hormonal assistance – but only more recently has it developed formulas exclusively for topically applied avenues in males with more studies/explored further.
Internally herbs/supplements have yielded mixed results – ashwagandha has shown studies through testosterone assistance successfully. Plus Tribulus Terrestris/fenugreek/maca root all support additional findings through traditional medicine support but variable per case/client with quality needed over cheap formulations which yield fillers instead of valid nutrients.
Vitamin D makes common sense since testosterone levels have been found deficient (especially post-pandemic); testing makes sense so men know where D stands – and whether they additionally need vitamin B and/or C; since levels have been found higher than anticipated since they often don’t consume micronutrients without realizing it – magnesium/zinc/Vitamin B levels are prime supporters – but they aren’t often found without male intervention.
When Medical Attention Is Necessary
It’s unfortunate one should research natural solutions before bringing it to someone’s attention but there are severe symptoms/severe sexual changes/breast tissue induration/gynecomastia/nipple sensitivity have sidelined chances worth medical evaluation as bloodwork will confirm clinically low testosterone levels; physicians/natural practitioners should run open assessments for T replacement (TRT) is their only option, but TRT becomes a joke since negative side effects rarely make it worth it – and sometime good female counterparts provide negative realities they’ve used on them but sometimes good female counterparts bring them home but end up more disappointed than ever.
The Long Game
When natural solutions are effectively exercised, time frames emerge – which should not be drastic changes because they never work – and not big risks because they’re overwhelming; it’s better one change per week/month at a time over time which can stick without attempting to overhaul everything right away – but legitimate findings absorbed over time may occur within days compared to weeks/months.
Focusing on what’s changed highly assesses whether it’s placebo vs what’s actually working; notes kept between daily energy/sleep issues/ambiguous emotional qualities and physical changes will be data compiled for assessment – not much significant change should happen over time since it’s changed naturally over time – however since hormones were internally manipulated without notice beforehand it’s logical hormones will shift based upon what’s done over weeks/months, not overnight, to justify adequate differences.
No single option will work for everyone, but cumulative lifestyle approaches best together through food intake/stress reduction efforts compounded with targeted options that make medical intervention optional instead of mandatory, when most often it’s not necessary at all. If men want this to be their lives they’ve got to put forth the effort that makes it happen because compounded negatives are not worth fighting for naturally without questionable synthetic efforts deemed necessary forever without any proof they’ve ever worked well before anyway.
