Men also develop hormonal problems as they get older. They simply do not discuss these as openly as women do menopause. Men often find it embarrassing to admit that they ‘can’t’, or at least that they cannot do something the way they could when they were younger. Skin begins to sag, muscles grow flabby, and it becomes increasingly difficult to get a toned body. And then there are the phases of lethargy, depression and forgetfulness. For some people the symptoms are severe, for others less so. The fact is, though, that these things are quite normal.
As a result, the real question is: ‘Which hormone is responsible for destroying masculinity?’, and what can be done about it. In other words, it does not always have to be the result of low testosterone.
It is usually caused by one or more of the hormones testosterone, cortisol and oestrogen.
In the following, you will find a test that helps identify the culprit.
Please complete and evaluate this yourself!
Group A
Please say whether each of the following statements applies to you:
YES
NO
1.
I am particularly prone to gaining weight around my hips.
2.
I suffer from diminished libido.
3.
I am frequently irritable.
4.
I often suffer from uncertainty/anxiety.
5.
I suffer from gynecomastia (enlargement or swelling of breast tissue in males).
TOTAL
Group B
Please say whether each of the following statements applies to you:
YES
NO
1.
I have reduced muscle mass / I find it difficult to build up muscle tissue.
2.
I suffer from diminished libido.
3.
I suffer from reduced mental performance.
4.
I suffer from depression-like symptoms (e.g. a lack of drive).
5.
I am particularly prone to gaining weight around my belly.
TOTAL
Group C
Please say whether each of the following statements applies to you:
YES
NO
1.
I frequently have trouble concentrating.
2.
I often have a craving for something sweet.
3.
I feel very stressed right now.
4.
I feel more tired than normal and am quickly exhausted.
5.
I suffer from an increased sensitivity to pain.
TOTAL
Please enter the number of your “YES” answers here:
Total number of questions answered with a “YES”
Group A
Group B
Group C
The group with the highest total may indicate one of the following hormonal imbalances:
Group A – Oestrogen dominance
Group B – Testosterone deficiency
Group C – Cortisol deficiency
If Group A has the highest score, this might indicate oestrogen dominance.
Oestrogen is a female hormone, but men produce oestrogen as well. If there is a strong oestrogen deficiency combined with low testosterone, this can result in a man feeling listless and weepy and cause poor blood values. Oestrogen dominance frequently leads to the formation of fat tissue around the breast area and a very female body shape overall. This ‘imbalance’ is usually associated with a high percentage of body fat. In most cases, reducing body fat also eliminates the oestrogen dominance. Men who are also suffering from low testosterone should start off by reducing their percentage of body fat. The worst thing you can do for a man suffering from low testosterone and oestrogen dominance is to give him testosterone supplements. This would simply result in the creation of more oestrogen, leading to even more weight gain.
In most cases, losing weight is sufficient to alleviate the situation. However, a physician should be consulted when in doubt.
If Group B has the highest score, this might indicate a testosterone deficiency.
Evaluation B: Testosterone deficiency
I have the feeling that testosterone deficiency is occurring with increasing frequency, particularly amongst men over the age of 30. Our hormone system is a bit like a mobile – if one hormone goes up, the other one goes down. Stressful everyday life results in an increase in the stress hormone cortisol, leading to a reduction in testosterone production. However, a drop in testosterone levels can also be a result of a person’s nutrition or age.
Saliva tests or blood tests always offer clarity here. Simply ask your urologist which procedure is best suited to your needs.
As to diet, it is a good idea to reduce the sugar intake while increasing the consumption of good fats. More than anything, men need cholesterol so that they can produce testosterone. Cholesterol is the precursor of all hormones. And naturally this is also the case for women. Organic eggs and beef from grass-fed cattle are excellent sources.
Creative breaks should be taken during the day, and it goes without saying that it is important to get enough sleep. Men can also help themselves by taking nutritional supplements. Please feel free to write to me. There simply is not enough space in this article to go into detail about that here.
If Group C has the highest score, this might indicate a cortisol deficiency.
Cortisol is the power hormone, the thing that allows us to make an energetic start in the morning. It gives us our drive for daily life and for doing sports. Anyone who has been pushing themselves too hard for too long without taking enough breaks will reach a point where they are unable to produce enough cortisol. Please don’t misunderstand me: too much cortisol is bad, because it eliminates muscle mass and leads to more body fat. It also makes it hard for a person to relax. Too little is also bad, because that results in too little drive. As with anything, it comes down to achieving the right balance. Cortisol levels should be high in the morning and low at night.
Just measuring a single value is not enough – the key is to measure its level in the saliva over the course of the day. Measuring how these values change over time makes it possible to see where levels might be too high or too low.
People who need more power should start their day off with salty foods that are rich in protein and fats – this relieves the burden on the adrenal glands while delivering a long-term boost to cortisol levels in the morning. Nutritional supplements such as liquorice and cordyceps can also help.
Interesting real-life examples on the topic of hormones
Figurmacher® FSH programme – calliper body fat measurement
Firming your figure, boosting your metabolism and optimising your hormone balance.
With the assistance of calliper body fat measurement; the evaluation of questionnaires concerning the digestive system, stress and hormones; saliva tests and blood tests, it is possible to identify imbalances in a person’s hormone levels.
What body folds can be indicative of which metabolic disorders?
The FSH programme cannot take the place of a healthy lifestyle or training. In fact, this system rests on a foundation of healthy nutrition. It is based on Charles Poliquin’s principles of BioSignature Modulation, the YPSI skin-fold method developed by Wolfgang Unsöld, and Daniel Knebel’s Endobalance method. In conjunction with the findings in my book ‘Der Figurmacher’ (The Figure Shaper) and 25 years in the field of nutrition consulting, I’ve been able to refine this system even further.
The laws of thermodynamics also apply
To lose weight, a person needs to burn more calories than they eat.
People can only gain weight (build muscle mass) if they eat more than they burn.
Calliper body fat measurement is more useful as a means of helping someone find their personal problem areas and tailoring their training and supplements to remedy these precise issues. The measurements make it possible to document the successes. It is like accounting for your body.
Please send me an email info@figurmacher.deif you would like to have yourself measured. My ‘Figurmacherei’ figure studio is located in Hamburg, but I am frequently on tour in Germany, Switzerland and Austria giving seminars – perhaps one of these will offer you a convenient opportunity.
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