5 Common Signs Of Hormonal Imbalance That Men Should Be Aware Of

Hormonal imbalance is common and caused by several factors. It can happen in both women and men, of which the latter may or may not be aware. The social stigma or taboo that men shouldn't or do not talk about their problems is still prevalent. Although it can be argued to be a form of "toxic masculinity", in actual fact, there are many reasons behind a man's preference to keep to themselves. Ironically, it could also be a sign of hormonal imbalance.

What are hormones?

According to scientists, the human body has about 50 hormones. Hormones are essentially the body's chemical messengers. They signal the body what to do and when to do something. They profoundly affect the body's growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, reproduction and mood. In a nutshell, hormones are essential to an individual's life and health.

The Importance of Hormones

Hormones regulate the human body's various systems. From the wake/sleep cycle, digestion, and respiration to tissue function, mood and metabolism. Any imbalance, no matter how little, can have a sizable effect on the human body regarding its wellbeing and ability to function.

What Is Hormonal Imbalance?

An imbalance happens when there is too little or too much of something, which also applies to hormones. While some hormonal imbalances are temporary, others are long-term or chronic. A hormonal imbalance may require treatment just so the affected individual can lead a better quality of life and health. Left untreated, it can lead to several detrimental issues.

Causes of Male Hormone Imbalance

In men, ageing is a leading cause of male hormonal imbalance. Typically, male growth hormones tend to decrease after the age of 20. When they hit 40, only half of these hormones are retained. By the age of 80, about five percent is left.

Other leading causes of hormonal imbalance in men include:

• Poor diet and nutrition
• Being overweight, obese or anorexic
• Overuse or misuse of steroids
• Prolonged exposure to chronic stress
  

Also, certain medical conditions or issues are known causes, such as:

• Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
• Pituitary tumours, benign tumours, cancer, and Cancer treatment
• High or low levels of cortisol (Cushing's Syndrome or Addison's Disease)
• Iodine deficiency
• Endocrine gland injury
• Hereditary pancreatitis
  

While ageing is inevitable, staying healthy and minding our wellbeing can help keep the hormones balanced to a certain extent. Still, it can be a difficult challenge, especially regarding hereditary-related issues.

Types of Male Hormone Imbalance

Common male hormonal imbalances can be classified into four types, and these are:

• Andropause - Also known as "male menopause", this is the most common type
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• Adrenal fatigue - This type is caused by prolonged stress. A common symptom is tiredness
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• Hyperthyroidism - This condition occurs when the thyroid glands become overactive
  
  
• Hypothyroidism - This condition occurs when the thyroid glands become underactive
  

Symptoms Of Hormonal Imbalance In Men

There are symptoms that men can look out for, and these include:

• Cognitive decline
• Depression
• Erectile dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Hair loss, including a decrease in beard and body hair growth
• Loss of muscle mass
• Low sex drive
• Memory loss
• Weight gain
• Gynecomastia, or the enlargement of male breasts
• Tenderness in the breast areas
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Loss of muscle mass
• Loss of bone mass, otherwise known as osteoporosis
• Difficulty in concentrating
  

5 Most Common Symptoms Of Male Hormonal Imbalance

While hormonal imbalance can happen to just about anyone and hence can be distressing, there are common symptoms that men can look out for. These are:

Low Libido

Having low libido or sex drive can be a sign of a hormonal imbalance. In men, a downward dive in testosterone levels is a common cause, but it's also to note that high estrogen levels may impede one's sexual desire and performance.

The cause of low libido can be better ascertained with a complete medical evaluation.

Erectile Dysfunction

Low testosterone is often associated with erectile dysfunction. However, other factors or causes include stress, depression, heart disease, insomnia and others. Addressing hormonal imbalance may help in treating erectile dysfunction.

Losing Muscle and Gaining Fat

Testosterone helps to regulate the maintenance of muscles, and when their levels drop, muscles degenerate more easily. Loss of muscles means fewer calories to be burnt (as muscles burn calories), and if an individual doesn't change their eating habits to cater to the change, they're more likely to gain weight.

High levels of cortisol can also cause weight gain and muscle loss. Certain conditions, such as hypothyroidism, can also cause a metabolic disruption, often leading to weight gain. These are generally considered the causes of hormonal imbalance, and getting the right diagnosis is critical to find the necessary and appropriate treatment/s.

Mood Changes

Hormonal imbalance can manifest in mood changes. Low testosterone levels can lead to mood swings, depression, anxiety, decreased motivation and other symptoms, which, if not addressed or treated, can lead to more pressing and detrimental issues.

The reality is many men don't realise that the mood swings they are experiencing are caused by hormonal imbalance and, for that reason, do not know how and where to get help. An affected individual needs to seek qualified help soonest to facilitate the proper treatment.

Gynecomastia

A strong indicator of hormonal imbalance is gynecomastia or male breast enlargement. It is a real problem among men, but due to the social stigma surrounding it, most men are too shy to seek treatment until it is too late.

Gynecomastia is often, among others, the result of a decrease in testosterone levels compared to oestrogen levels. The condition can be painful for some affected individuals and even adversely affect their mental wellbeing. It is an issue that needs to be properly diagnosed and treated.

How to know if you’re experiencing male hormonal imbalance

Setting up a physical examination appointment with a doctor is a recommended first step. Bring along any supplements and medications, and be frank with the doctor regarding the symptoms you are experiencing. The doctor may ask questions that include:

• How often are you experiencing symptoms?
• Does anything help relieve your symptoms?
• Have you lost or gained weight recently?
• Are you more stressed than usual?
• Do you have trouble getting or maintaining an erection?
  

Based on your answers, the doctor may suggest further tests to ascertain the root cause before recommending any treatment.

Gynecomastia surgery with 360-degree Glandular Tissue Dissection (360°GTD) technique by Dr Ivan Puah

In the case of gynecomastia, gynecomastia surgery is the clinically proven solution to eradicate this issue. The 360° GTD® and MDC-Sculpt®️ Lipo techniques developed by Dr Ivan Puah are two forms of modern gynecomastia and fat removal surgical approaches that enable him to effectively address the issues of excess glandular and fat tissues and achieve optimal results for patients.

These proprietary techniques involve making strategic incisions less than 4 mm in size to facilitate the infiltration of anaesthetic fluid into the targeted area. Dr Ivan Puah will remove fat with his MDC-Sculpt®️ Lipo technique. This multi-dimensional fat reduction and removal approach allows him to effectively reach all three layers of fat and remove them efficiently.

Next, he will perform a clean and thorough glandular tissue dissection using his 360° GTD® technique. The combination of two techniques minimises the occurrence of haematoma, which is often seen in traditional gynecomastia surgery.

Recovery is fast, with minimal downtime, and scarring is reduced to the bare minimum with Dr Ivan Puah's techniques. Post-surgery swelling, pain and discomfort are manageable. Most importantly, unlike standard gynecomastia surgery, the patient is not required to use a drainage tube to drain fluid from the operated site, which is often the cause of post-op infection.

End Result? The patient's chest is flattened once the excess glands and fat are removed. Dr Ivan Puah will further sculpt and contour the chest for an aesthetically pleasing result.

Botched male moobs corrective surgery (Gynecomastia Correction)

Have you had gynecomastia surgery done with another medical practitioner and are disappointed with the results? Do you feel helpless and desperate because you are unsure what to do? Botched gynecomastia surgery is not uncommon. In fact, with the popularity of gynecomastia surgery soaring in the last couple of years, medical practitioners with little or no experience or skills in treating gynecomastia are sprouting out locally and overseas, leading to "incomplete" gynecomastia surgery done for patients. Incomplete gynecomastia surgery is largely due to:

• Removal of fat tissues but leaving the glandular tissues untouched (For mixed gynecomastia)
• Incomplete glandular tissues removal (For true gynecomastia)
• Incomplete removal of fat tissues AND glandular tissues (For mixed gynecomastia)
  

Signs of a botched gynecomastia surgery include:

• irregular dents,
• Depressions, rippling and unevenness on the chest,
• inverted nipples, and
• excessive and thick scarring.

As a result, the physical traumas suffered by these individuals are nothing compared to the psychological trauma experienced. Corrective gynecomastia surgery is recommended to correct the "defects" and improve the patient's aesthetic appearance. Due to the complexity of the procedure, the patient must look for a doctor who is experienced in performing corrective cases.

Dr Ivan Puah is an accredited liposuction doctor in Singapore with over 17 years of body sculpting experience and has received dedicated training in gynecomastia surgery. With an in-depth understanding of the technicalities of liposuction and gynecomastia surgeries, he is also meticulous in his approach. Dr Puah always puts his patient's results, safety and wellbeing at the forefront.

His forte lies in liposuction, gynecomastia surgery, fat grafting, and corrective surgeries, which he has been performing for over 17 years.

For more information on gynecomastia or corrective gynecomastia surgery, contact us at 91524140 or customer@amaris-b.com.