There are 3 important “sex” hormones—testosterone, progesterone and estrogen. The testes produce
a lot of testosterone and a little progesterone and estrogen. The ovaries produce a lot of estrogen and
progesterone and some testosterone. We should say, the above is true when we are younger.
At age 30 both men and women start producing less testosterone. Many men will decrease by 90% their
production of testosterone from age 25 to 70. Most of us do not want to be producing 90% less of
anything we had when we were 25. Men will usually develop a belly even though they haven’t changed
their diet. They do not have the energy to participate in sports, but just watch. To perform at optimal
levels (our peak in life) we need to replace this lost testosterone. Even in the penis the normally
functioning smooth muscles that cause strong erections and propulsions is replaced with fat. This is
seen by erectile dysfunction but also what is known as a “flacid (flabby) penis”.
Women will see a much greater drop in testosterone because the ovaries stop production of all sex
hormones fairly quickly at menopause. The production of testosterone is the first hormone to begin
decreasing. Men and women see this as weight gain and loss of muscle mass. Most will lose 10 ounces
of muscle per year after age 30. This is about the size of a good steak. Lost every year. And replaced
with fat.
The loss of testosterone is seen as loss of energy, stamina, erectile dysfunction in men, decreased sex
drive, decreased intimacy, decreased orgasm, being more forgetful, not able to maintain concentration,
loss of calcium from the bones (osteoporosis) in men and women, loss of muscle strength, and
decreased vitality.
Women depend on progesterone for stability of mood. Progesterone begins to decline by age 35. This
is seen as more irritability, poor sleep, depression, anxiety, and hair loss. The menstrual cycles may
begin to change. With the loss of progesterone there are more breast cysts, uterine fibroids, ovarian
cysts, and breast cancer.
Estrogen begins to decline very quickly when the ovaries fail. This is usually after age 40 but 8% of
women go through menopause before 40. Most have complete failure of the ovaries by 50. This is seen
as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, dry skin, thin skin, osteoporosis, urinary leakage,
forgetfulness, skin wrinkles, loss of sex drive and inability to have an orgasm. With loss of hormones
there is an increase in coronary artery disease and Alzheimer’s.
One author said, “Losing our hormones is like a vacuum sweeper sucking the life right out of you.”
But the good news is that we do not have to tolerate the ravages of loss of hormones. These hormones
can be replaced by natural hormones that are exactly like the hormones you had when you were 25.
You can live a longer and healthier life. We all want our health to last as long as our life. Please let us
help at HRC Medical.
show less
show more
