Hormonal Imbalance: How Age Affects Men & Women’s Health
Many people attribute feelings of fatigue and stress to the demands of modern life, but a growing understanding suggests a significant biochemical basis for these experiences, particularly as we age. Dr. Vera Siriugina highlights how hormonal shifts, often subtle and overlooked, can profoundly impact both men and women’s quality of life.
Hormonal Changes in Men and Women
Dr. Siriugina explains that hormonal changes affect both sexes. In men, this process is known as male menopause. However, in women, these shifts often begin long before traditional menopause, during the perimenopausal stage – a period when menstruation continues and reproductive function is still considered active. This earlier phase frequently goes unnoticed.
Key Hormones Evaluated
The same core hormones are assessed in both men and women: follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol. Crucially, it’s not just the absolute levels of these hormones that matter, but also their ratios and overall balance.
The Male Hormonal Landscape
For men, testosterone levels typically begin to decline after age 30, at a rate of approximately 1% per year in the absence of weight gain or chronic illness. However, weight gain can accelerate this decline, often accompanied by decreased physical activity, abdominal fat accumulation, metabolic deterioration, and reduced libido.
The Complexities of Hormonal Change in Women
Hormonal changes in women are often more complex. Even with regular menstrual cycles, deficiencies in progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone can occur. Estrogen levels may remain sufficient to maintain menstruation, potentially masking underlying hormonal imbalances. Symptoms can include weight gain, swelling, emotional instability, sleep disturbances, and depressive episodes. These changes can begin as early as ages 30 to 35, and are linked to stress, environmental factors, and certain medications.
The Nervous System’s Response
Dr. Siriugina emphasizes that the nervous system, particularly the autonomic nervous system, is often the first to respond to these hormonal shifts. This can manifest as hot flashes, palpitations, anxiety, panic attacks, and fluctuations in blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Diagnosis and Evaluation
The Green scale, alongside laboratory and diagnostic tests, is used to assess a patient’s condition before treatment is considered. Accurate hormone level determination is essential, along with breast and pelvic exams, and evaluations of blood coagulation indicators and biochemical markers.
Dr. Siriugina concludes by stressing the protective role of sex hormones in cardiovascular health, bone health, and metabolic processes. Their deficiency increases the risk of associated diseases, making early diagnosis and timely intervention critical for maintaining activity and quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “male menopause”?
Dr. Siriugina refers to hormonal changes in men as “male menopause,” a process impacting their quality of life.
When do hormonal changes begin in women?
Hormonal changes in women can begin long before traditional menopause, during perimenopause, when menstruation continues but reproductive function is still active.
What hormones are evaluated in both men and women?
The hormones evaluated in both men and women include follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol.
How might recognizing these hormonal shifts impact your approach to overall health and well-being?