Half of the patients at a local physician’s new anti-aging practice are men seeking relief from mid-life malaise
As Seen in the Savannah Morning News, December 15, 2009
Jerry Hawkins works out, eats healthy, takes all-natural vitamins and reads books and Web sites on the latest trends in maintaining good health. So, shortly after turning 40, the Savannah businessman sought ways to hold on to his peak years.
“There were no major issues,” Hawkins said. “I just knew I was at the age where I should take a look at things.”
Dr. Mary Kay Ross says she is seeing more proactive, health-minded men like Hawkins in her new practice in Savannah. Many are experiencing what some health care professionals call andropause, the male equivalent of menopause. Unlike the dramatic hot flashes, mood swings and discomfort characterized by menopause, men’s mid-life hormonal changes come more gradually with more subtle symptoms.
Testosterone levels tend to decline as men age, sometimes causing weight gain, fatigue, weakness, depression and sexual problems.
It’s not something most men talk about freely, she said.
“When you sit down with a man one-on-one and he’s filled out your form, he’s put down there that he’s lost his zest for life, that he doesn’t feel happy any longer, that he’s gained weight, that he’s lost his libido,” she said. “These are things that are important.” More
