ADAM or Andropause and Homoeopathic treatment
- Dr Sunitha Devi vannemreddy, M.D(Hom), consult the doctor at drsunithavannemreddy@gmail.com.
ADAM is the term called as “androgen deficiency of the aging male" ("ADAM"), to more accurately reflect the fact that the loss of testosterone production is gradual and asymptotic (in contrast to the more abrupt change associated with menopause. The "D" is sometimes given as "decline" instead of "deficiency". In some contexts, the term "partial androgen deficiency in aging males" ("PADAM") is used instead.
Generally in simple terms called call male menopause or andropause. Andropause may be related to the slow but steady reduction of the production of the hormones testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone in middle-aged men, and the consequences of that reduction. It is also associated with a decrease in Leydig cells. A steady decline in testosterone levels with age (in both men and women) is well documented.
Unlike "menopause", the word "andropause" is currently not recognized by the World Health Organization and its ICD-10 medical classification. While the words are sometimes used interchangeably, hypogonadism is a deficiency state in which the hormone testosterone goes below the normal range for even an aging male.
Impact of low levels of testosterone leads to the "male climacteric" including loss of libido and potency, nervousness, depression, impaired memory, the inability to concentrate, fatigue, insomnia, hot flushes, and sweating. Heller and Myers found that their subjects had lower than normal levels of testosterone, and that symptoms decreased dramatically when patients were given replacement doses of testosterone. Andropause has been observed in association with Alzheimer's disease. In one study, 98.0% of primary care physicians believed that andropause and osteoporosis risk were related.
External factors that can cause testosterone levels to fall include certain forms of medication, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, illness, lack of sleep, lack of sex, stress or surgery. It can also be a symptom of neuroendocrine dysfunction after a mild traumatic brain injury.
Symptoms caused by a drop in the male hormone testosterone include: Anger and social withdrawal, irritability, hypersensitivity, anxiety, hot Flashes, mood swings, depression, lack of libido, back and head aches and insomnia. This drop in testosterone levels is considered to lead in some cases to erectile dysfunction, diabetes, loss of energy and concentration, While andropause does not cause a man's reproductive system to stop working altogether, many experience bouts of impotence.
The theory is that andropause is caused by a very gradual testosterone deficiency and an increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) that occurs from age 40 onwards. By contrast, women have a more rapid onset of menopause at an average age of 51. Testosterone declines 10% every decade after age 30. But many clinicians believe that andropause is not a valid concept. Men can continue to reproduce into old age; their reproductive systems do not stop working completely, and therefore they do not exhibit the sudden and dramatic drops in hormone levels characteristic of women undergoing menopause. Other clinicians are of the opinion that andropause is simply synonymous with hypogonadism or low testosterone levels. But some clinician argues that, some patient with the similar complaints are relieved by Testosterone (T-level) replacement therapy.
Homeopathic approach
Whatever the argument is going on, whether the new disease existed or not, symptoms are existed in some patients. As Homoeopathy is integrative method of treatment which deals with the individual symptomatic presentation, “treat the patient not the disease” concept, it treats the person.
In Homoeopathy there is wide range of medication for loss of libido, depressions and erectile dysfunctions, along with other symptoms. When the person is treated individually, in mental, physical and emotional plane, hormones which are suppressed or reduced will start producing normally.
Some of the remedies which help to treat “ADAM” are following;
Lycopodium
His psychology is often one of ‘I want to be seen as important and high up in the group’. Being viewed as a powerful, accomplished is a high value . Any lowering of status is mortifying. Critical and domineering as a boss. The threat of younger intelligent aspirants to high position is difficult. Depression, irritability and anticipatory anxiety are frequent. Physically they can be spare, sallow with moles and age spots. Weight loss is evident especially in the upper chest and infraclavicular fossa while the middle is well padded betraying blood sugar issues. These people are quite chilly yet enjoy cool air and feel oppressed in a warm stuffy environment. There is often performance anxiety with impotence. The genitals may seem cold and there may indeed be atrophy. Where Lycopodium is indicated expect some digestive issue, commonly a rapid fullness on eating due to flatulence.
Agnus Castus
Depression and self reproach over chances in life that were ‘blown’ and a kind of envy regarding those considered successful. “He sometimes feels as if he were nobody, and would rather be dead than have that feeling; when possessed by that feeling, he has no courage to undertake anything; and when free from it he feels exalted, would like to read like an orator, etc.” [Allen] Boasting about sexual performance, alternating with self-reproach and the feeling he has achieved nothing. Agnus-c. “is especially useful in those advanced in years, who in their youth have carried sexual indulgence to extreme and who, while physically impotent, are mentally as excitable as in early life”.Fixed idea of approaching death ,not of immediate death, as with Acon. Easy spraining of joints [ankles]. Straining of muscles and tendons from lifting. Emission of prostatic fluid during and after stool, during urination Tired and swollen sensation in thighs, towards evening. Coldness of the knees and of the external male genitals.
Selenium
Great dullness, with complete insensibility and indifference to his surroundings. Very forgetful, especially in business, during slumber, however, he remembers all he had forgotten. Oversensitive to Drafts cause headache, pain in limbs and hot weather causes weakness. The hotter the body is, the weaker he is. Strength rises as sun sinks; loquacity, fond of conversing in evening. Imagines drafts of air. Loss of hair of the whole body [head, eyebrows, whiskers, pubic hair]. Pulsation in all parts of body, especially abdomen, after eating; prevents sleep. Erections slow, insufficient, semen emitted too rapidly and with long-continued thrill, weak, ill-humored after an embrace, weakness in loins. Semen thin, without normal odor. Lewd thoughts, but physically impotent. Prostatic juice oozes while sitting, during sleep, when walking and at stool.
Not only above medicines, there is wide range of Homeopathic medications are there to treat the andropause. Like, Cantharis, Nux.v, Merc, Phos, Phos.ac, Pic.ac and Thuja like many other. Homeopathy asks the totality of symptoms to call for a remedy. Allopathy defines a syndrome with a pointed cause and target. Do we utilize a systems approach or move to the other end of the spectrum towards a reductionist model. Both have a place. As Naturopaths we are challenged to maintain both views in a creative tension to the greatest benefit of the patient.
ADAM is the term called as “androgen deficiency of the aging male" ("ADAM"), to more accurately reflect the fact that the loss of testosterone production is gradual and asymptotic (in contrast to the more abrupt change associated with menopause. The "D" is sometimes given as "decline" instead of "deficiency". In some contexts, the term "partial androgen deficiency in aging males" ("PADAM") is used instead.
Unlike "menopause", the word "andropause" is currently not recognized by the World Health Organization and its ICD-10 medical classification. While the words are sometimes used interchangeably, hypogonadism is a deficiency state in which the hormone testosterone goes below the normal range for even an aging male.
Impact of low levels of testosterone leads to the "male climacteric" including loss of libido and potency, nervousness, depression, impaired memory, the inability to concentrate, fatigue, insomnia, hot flushes, and sweating. Heller and Myers found that their subjects had lower than normal levels of testosterone, and that symptoms decreased dramatically when patients were given replacement doses of testosterone. Andropause has been observed in association with Alzheimer's disease. In one study, 98.0% of primary care physicians believed that andropause and osteoporosis risk were related.
External factors that can cause testosterone levels to fall include certain forms of medication, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, illness, lack of sleep, lack of sex, stress or surgery. It can also be a symptom of neuroendocrine dysfunction after a mild traumatic brain injury.
Symptoms caused by a drop in the male hormone testosterone include: Anger and social withdrawal, irritability, hypersensitivity, anxiety, hot Flashes, mood swings, depression, lack of libido, back and head aches and insomnia. This drop in testosterone levels is considered to lead in some cases to erectile dysfunction, diabetes, loss of energy and concentration, While andropause does not cause a man's reproductive system to stop working altogether, many experience bouts of impotence.
The theory is that andropause is caused by a very gradual testosterone deficiency and an increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) that occurs from age 40 onwards. By contrast, women have a more rapid onset of menopause at an average age of 51. Testosterone declines 10% every decade after age 30. But many clinicians believe that andropause is not a valid concept. Men can continue to reproduce into old age; their reproductive systems do not stop working completely, and therefore they do not exhibit the sudden and dramatic drops in hormone levels characteristic of women undergoing menopause. Other clinicians are of the opinion that andropause is simply synonymous with hypogonadism or low testosterone levels. But some clinician argues that, some patient with the similar complaints are relieved by Testosterone (T-level) replacement therapy.
Homeopathic approach
Whatever the argument is going on, whether the new disease existed or not, symptoms are existed in some patients. As Homoeopathy is integrative method of treatment which deals with the individual symptomatic presentation, “treat the patient not the disease” concept, it treats the person.
In Homoeopathy there is wide range of medication for loss of libido, depressions and erectile dysfunctions, along with other symptoms. When the person is treated individually, in mental, physical and emotional plane, hormones which are suppressed or reduced will start producing normally.
Some of the remedies which help to treat “ADAM” are following;
Lycopodium
His psychology is often one of ‘I want to be seen as important and high up in the group’. Being viewed as a powerful, accomplished is a high value . Any lowering of status is mortifying. Critical and domineering as a boss. The threat of younger intelligent aspirants to high position is difficult. Depression, irritability and anticipatory anxiety are frequent. Physically they can be spare, sallow with moles and age spots. Weight loss is evident especially in the upper chest and infraclavicular fossa while the middle is well padded betraying blood sugar issues. These people are quite chilly yet enjoy cool air and feel oppressed in a warm stuffy environment. There is often performance anxiety with impotence. The genitals may seem cold and there may indeed be atrophy. Where Lycopodium is indicated expect some digestive issue, commonly a rapid fullness on eating due to flatulence.
Agnus Castus
Depression and self reproach over chances in life that were ‘blown’ and a kind of envy regarding those considered successful. “He sometimes feels as if he were nobody, and would rather be dead than have that feeling; when possessed by that feeling, he has no courage to undertake anything; and when free from it he feels exalted, would like to read like an orator, etc.” [Allen] Boasting about sexual performance, alternating with self-reproach and the feeling he has achieved nothing. Agnus-c. “is especially useful in those advanced in years, who in their youth have carried sexual indulgence to extreme and who, while physically impotent, are mentally as excitable as in early life”.Fixed idea of approaching death ,not of immediate death, as with Acon. Easy spraining of joints [ankles]. Straining of muscles and tendons from lifting. Emission of prostatic fluid during and after stool, during urination Tired and swollen sensation in thighs, towards evening. Coldness of the knees and of the external male genitals.
Selenium
Great dullness, with complete insensibility and indifference to his surroundings. Very forgetful, especially in business, during slumber, however, he remembers all he had forgotten. Oversensitive to Drafts cause headache, pain in limbs and hot weather causes weakness. The hotter the body is, the weaker he is. Strength rises as sun sinks; loquacity, fond of conversing in evening. Imagines drafts of air. Loss of hair of the whole body [head, eyebrows, whiskers, pubic hair]. Pulsation in all parts of body, especially abdomen, after eating; prevents sleep. Erections slow, insufficient, semen emitted too rapidly and with long-continued thrill, weak, ill-humored after an embrace, weakness in loins. Semen thin, without normal odor. Lewd thoughts, but physically impotent. Prostatic juice oozes while sitting, during sleep, when walking and at stool.
Not only above medicines, there is wide range of Homeopathic medications are there to treat the andropause. Like, Cantharis, Nux.v, Merc, Phos, Phos.ac, Pic.ac and Thuja like many other. Homeopathy asks the totality of symptoms to call for a remedy. Allopathy defines a syndrome with a pointed cause and target. Do we utilize a systems approach or move to the other end of the spectrum towards a reductionist model. Both have a place. As Naturopaths we are challenged to maintain both views in a creative tension to the greatest benefit of the patient.
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