Man-o-pause and Longevity
While Man-O-pause has been hushed, the hormonal changes associated with the maturation of both men and women is easier to deal with, once you accept it, and learn how to skillfully work with it. How to ride the wave so to speak.
Picture of monks on roller coaster with their hands up in the air.
Manopause, another name for Andropause, is gaining recognition but it is not as well-known as menopause, Estrapause and Testopause is what is comes down to, a diminishment of sex hormones. I wil share with you a few of the pointers I teach my clients for putting the glow in to your golden years. Its never too soon or to late to start!
In 1943, Maslow’s described a hierarchy of needs and how we rank the importance of our needs as humans during the different stages of our development. You can see sex is at the foundation of the hierarchy and listed at every stage of our developmental tasks as humans in the western world. For greater fulfillment after the change of hormones you want to use every tool that is useful to you. Fruits and vegetables are not our only kind of food. Sleep, exercise and touch are also required for the fulfillment of the basic needs. Particularly for the post- pausal male, needs involve primary relationships with others and a sense of being connected to a bigger community. While the change of life has long been accepted in women, when their period stops, the male hormonal changes are less marked. Yet, a great percentage of post-pausal women can enjoy intercourse, even if they use a little aloe vera gel to help with lubrication. Its reported that over 50% of men over the age of 50 years old are experiencing erectile disfunction. Perhaps as we accept the hormonal transformation during manopause, we will also use the natural common sense approach to making it the best it can be.
If the pre or peri menopausal man was symptomatic, is was referred to as a “mid- life crises.” This view must change. No need for a crisis! There are a variety of signs, such as softer muscles, belly fat, diminished sex drive, and possibly difficulty sleeping along with mood swings, depression, and irritability. These hormonal changes can rock the foundation of the values in a man’s life affecting his very sense of self. The changes he notices in himself and his peers, may tend to make him want to hold on to his youth by buying the red sports car or getting a trophy wife.
In a situation that used to switch on his senses and create a pulsating desire in an instant, he finds his physical doesn’t quite match his mental arousal.
Some of these symptoms appear to be something like role reversals with a woman of a similar age. He is the chilly one while she is a bit too warm.
There is an “Adam Quiz” on line at Mr. Michael Werner’s site where you can check to see if the signs of hormonal transition are occurring.
Perhaps not as noted or even identified by the men going manopause is a blossoming of the emotional components of sexuality. Its like a softening that occurs inside. Even if no cardiopathy is present, the man will become more aware of his heart. As a man matures and his testosterone diminishes, his interest in his partner and their intimate emotional and physical life may lead him to experiment with the ways of foreplay, romance, or exotic lovemaking as well as a more supportive diet. He finds himself enjoying the emotional connection, and warmth of holding his partner. In the healthiest situation, his need for and tendency to seek emotional connection with a partner becomes more operational in all parts of his life.
The awakening to the heart could be the developmental task to bring great satisfaction. He finds new frontier, perhaps including the frontiers of relating to lovemaking for vitality and health. Mother nature supports us in wonderful ways. Hormones are related to our environment and the bigger picture of how we are all part of the Earth and its life support system. The decrease in testosterone and changes in hormonal balance help us transition through the stages of life. The heart opening can be the gift of manopause. The inclusion of emotional intimacy and connected sexuality creates a greater opportunity for health and wellness for men and women.
Wives, if you can hang in there with your hubby until he gets here, get ready to be spending more time with him bonding. You can support him with eye gazing and talking about how to develop trust, cooperativity, mutuality, transparency, and authenticity. I suggest the ESO book is an excellent one to give you some ideas. Some enjoy going through the Joy of Sex and trying the idea on every page.
Based on 35 years of research Sue Johnson, author of Love Sense, works with folks approaching, in the middle of, and post-pausal changes. Neuroscience is highlyghting what we had perhaps always known in our hearts – loving human connection is more powerful than a basic survival mechanism: fear. She says that we are … healthier and happier when we are close and connected. Consistent emotional support lowers blood pressure and bolsters immune system. It appears to reduce his death rate from cancer as well as the incident of heart disease and infectious disease.
Married patients who have coronary bypass surgery or three times more likely to be alive 15 greater then their unmarried counterparts.”
“A good relationship is better health insurance than a careful diet and a better anti-aging strategy for taking vitamins.
In terms of mental heath, close connection is the strongest predictor of happiness, much more so than making masses of money or winning the lottery. It also significantly lessens susceptibility to anxiety and depression and makes us more resilient again stress and drama.”
Start early in life to build good relationships. If you have a committed relationship, especially with children, strive to keep it. Many of the same problems that are challenging you will still be there once you are divorced. Divorce also comes with an emotional cost. Marriage is important in your golden years.
Supporting your self with good diet choices is a wise way to help maintain stability and strength while adapting to life’s hormonal changes is simple on the Hippocrates Program.
Fenugreek comes in as a top testosterone booster for men. Found on the daily sprout buffet at Hippocrates Health Institute, sprouted fenugreek are one of the oldest parodies foods, reputed to increase roundness and firmness of breasts. Now, research shows that fenugreek benefits testosterone levels and availability in men in a placebo study. I think research is great and often documents what’s been successful for human for generations, eating whole plant based foods, living foods, cultured foods and local foods in season.
Clinical Studies
For 8 weeks, a study was conducted at Texas A&M University to determine if fenugreek benefits testosterone levels and availability. Each day of the study, 30 male subjects were either given 500 mg of fenugreek or a placebo. During the study, subjects who received fenugreek had a 6.57% increase in total testosterone and a 12.26% increase in “free” testosterone.
Another study published in the February 2011 issue of Phytotherapy Research involved 60 male subjects, who were given 600 mg of fenugreek a day for six weeks. The subjects who were given fenugreek reported an increase in sexual arousal, energy, stamina, and testosterone levels.
AFA is another Hippocrates staple. AFA , aphanozomonen flos aquae is an aquabotanical from Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. This edible algae is uncommonly nutrient-dense and mineral rich, and easily absorbed by the body. While AFA is helpful on many levels, in particular AFA has PEA Phenethylamine. PEA, also found in chocolate and cheese, is thought to produce effects on mood. AFA contains approximately 50
times more PEA than chocolate. Numerous studies exist demonstrating PEA’s efficacy
as an anti-depressant, and its effectiveness for ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), as
well as being involved with “runner’s high” and even the chemicals responsible for
romantic love.! Imagine how flooding your brain with PEA might affect your ability to connect and bond and open your heart with lovemaking after 60 and beyond.
Exercise is a real need for our bodies at any age. Dr Amen says that at 70 if you can walk 3 mph you are most likely to live to be 80. If you walk only 1 mph you are not likely to live to be 80. Less than 100 years ago most people did physical labor. At least they stood up. Now sitting is the new smoking! Sitters are waking up to the same health risks as smokers
Just stay active. Since the pausal changes lead to bone loss, muscle reduction and loss of flexibility whatever gentle movement you can do will help. Being active is your best protection. Be sensible, marathons aren’t recommended. Walking, weight lifting, yoga, qigong, and sex are highly recommended. Starting early in life to build good exercise habits is wise.
| © Rhodri Cruz |
Take time to count your blessings. Being grateful for the changes of life wherever you are in them if an excellent way to make of the most of them. I pray that you graciously flow through the changes of your life. I frequently say to myself. I am willing to change and I am changing. I hope that that this article is
Empowering you to enjoy your life fullest. Respond to my blog katharineclarkinternational.com
References
————Since 1943, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs describes how we rank the importance of our needs as humans. You can see sex it at the foundation of the hierarchy. Sex is listed at every stage. The transition into the golden years of full self-actualization revolved around your relationships with others and your sense of being connected is well documented.
1 The stages
- 1 Hopes: Trust vs. Mistrust (Oral-sensory, Birth-2 years)
- 2 Will: Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt (Muscular-Anal, 2-4 years)
- 3 Purpose: Initiative vs. Guilt (Locomotor-Genital, Preschool, 4-5 years)
- 4 Competence: Industry vs. Inferiority (Latency, 5-12 years)
- 5 Fidelity: Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence, 13-19 years)
- 6 Love: Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young adulthood, 20-24, or 20-39 years)
- 7 Care: Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle adulthood, 25-64, or 40-64 years)
1.8 Wisdom: Ego Integrity vs. Despair (Late adulthood, 65-death)
| Fundamentals of Nursing Practice © Rhodora Cruz | © Rhodora Cruz |
Katharine Clark, RN 