Hormone imbalance is a growing concern as people age, one that is often overlooked in men’s health. The hormonal changes that are noted more readily in women’s health from the various life stages get more attention, but men also experience significant hormone changes that should be supported. The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) covered this in their article “Men’s Health: Strategies From Birth To Male ‘Menopause.’”  The male anatomy and physiology contain complexities and changes that can cause difficulties.

From the fresh-faced time of infancy to the frenetic activity of boyhood, the hormonal overload that is puberty and then finally mid-life and older adult years, the body has to find ways to adapt. For older men’s health, andropause is probably the most significant hormonal change, functioning essentially as the male version of menopause. Chiropractors are a vital support resource to help men of all ages adapt to natural changes in their bodies.

From the Start

From birth, many babies have experienced some form of physical injury or insult during birth that is not always readily apparent. According to Cerebral Palsy Guide, roughly three babies are born with birth injuries every hour in the United States, affecting as many as seven babies in every 1,000 deliveries. Babies born breech or needing additional intervention via forceps or cesarean greatly increases risk. Boys often weigh heavier, born with longer bodies and/or a larger head size that can result in necessary instrument use or C-sections.

Pediatric chiropractors can examine and adjust babies to promote optimal neuromusculoskeletal alignment, giving baby a pain-free start to life. Colic is a common ailment that can be a sign of dysregulation in an infant body. Colic is defined as excessive and frequent infant crying in a healthy infant often without an easily discernible cause. Chiropractic has been seen as helpful in this area, utilizing gentle care for joint support, relaxing muscles and even improved breastfeeding in many cases.

Moving into childhood and adolescence, puberty and growth spurts constantly strain the neuromusculoskeletal framework. Let’s not forget the normal everyday interferences that young children face, from carrying heavy backpacks full of textbooks to tumbles, falls, school sports and tech neck from staring at phones and computers. Periodic evaluation from a licensed chiropractor in the formative years can create peace of mind, knowing that the spine and extremities will be adjusted and grow correctly with the child. Scoliosis is a major concern during this phase as well, a condition that a chiropractor can detect, monitor and counsel or care for, as appropriate.

Boys traditionally hit puberty later than girls, sometime between ages 10 to 16. It’s not uncommon for boys to ‘sprout like a weed’ seemingly overnight, rapidly growing in height and weight. This can often throw off a boy’s equilibrium, creating clumsiness and uneasiness both physically and emotionally. This rapid growth can also turn into dysregulated growth conditions most commonly associated with males, such as Osgood-Schlatter disease. Osgood-Schlatter’s is a common knee pain cause, particularly for student-athletes, but chiropractors can manage cases and get kids back playing the games they love. Chiropractors also often perform sports physicals in which they can detect developmental concerns related to flexibility, stability, heart function, spinal support and more.

Mid-life care and Andropause

The next key life phase of physical note for men is andropause, sometimes coined as male menopause, though it differs significantly in its ramifications for men. Andropause is a natural gradual decline in men’s testosterone and related hormone production, often beginning at about age 40 and continuing for decades. An average of 1% loss of testosterone occurs annually, which can result in a gradual loss of muscle mass, strength, libido, erectile changes and thinning or gray hair. The decline should be slow, so testing and support may be necessary if a sudden dip in testosterone is detected. Symptoms that may be a sign of a larger problem include sudden libido loss, erectile dysfunction, infertility, discomfort of swelling of chest tissue, height loss, low mineral density, hot flashes, sweating, depression or anxiety. Bone density should be monitored, especially in men over 65. Prostate monitoring is also a wise health consideration as men age, and chiropractors will likely refer men to a urologist for a prostate exam when reoccurring low back pain and back stiffness occur, especially when coupled with urinary symptoms.

Chiropractors understand and care for men’s health at every life stage. Whether you play sports, work a sedentary job or lift heavy objects daily, chiropractors take a whole patient personal approach to address the root cause of back pain and other issues to improve posture, ergonomics, muscle balance, joint function, strength and healing.

 

References from original F4CP article

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5178520/
  2. https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3277-boys-births-more-complex-than-girls/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8193522/
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3437340/
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3566258/
  6. https://www.healthforteens.co.uk/growing-up/puberty/7-puberty-changes-only-boys-experience/
  7. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/osgood-schlatter-disease-knee-pain/
  8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388110000617
  9. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/in-depth/male-menopause/art-20048056
  10. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/male-menopause/
  11. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoporosis-men
  12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3557324/
  13. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/what-is-prostate-cancer.htm
  14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279291/
  15. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/enlarged-prostate-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph
  16. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia/symptoms-causes-syc-20370087
  17. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/prostate-problems
  18. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/risk_factors.htm
  19. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/prostate-problems