Dr. Gott: Male menopause can cause flushing

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am writing in the hope you will write about the effects of male menopause. I am 68 years old, and from time to time, my face will flush. Is this a symptom of male menopause?

Anything you can tell me will be of great benefit. I have learned much from your column over the years, and I truly thank you for all your help in medical matters.

DEAR READER: Some people – both men and women – can pass through menopause easily and without disruption to their daily lives. For others, it’s a difficult process that varies in intensity from person to person. Furthermore, the reality of menopause varies extensively between men and women.

Age-related hormonal changes in men are common. As we age, older men are known to have reduced testosterone levels. By age 70, the decrease can be as great as 50 percent of prior levels. These low levels can result in swollen or tender breasts (gynecomastia), hair loss, depression, insomnia, sleep disturbances, infertility, flushing and hot flashes, an increase in body fat and other unwanted symptoms.

Treatment is both questionable and controversial. While testosterone therapy may relieve the symptoms, the benefits are not well-defined and may actually increase a man’s risk of prostate cancer. This pertains to both prescription drugs and herbal supplements.

Until your symptoms pass, stay active. Exercise and eat well. Routine physical activity will keep you in a better frame of mind. Join a local community center with a swimming pool. Go out to lunch with your friends one day a week. Attend concerts. Read. And, by all means, seek the help of your physician if you become anxious and depressed.

DEAR DR. GOTT: I walk about two miles every morning to keep in shape. I’ve developed a paunch and what my wife calls a bicycle tire around my middle. To get rid of the paunch and tire, is it better to do the morning walk on an empty stomach or to walk after I’ve eaten something?

Twenty years ago, I would run three or four miles every morning right after I got up, consuming nothing but water, and it seemed to work fine.

DEAR READER: The key words here are “twenty years ago.” Unfortunately, our metabolism changes as we age, and what worked then for most of us probably won’t work as easily now.

You should match your energy intake to your energy needs. If you awaken in the morning and plan a rigorous schedule of exercise, you should eat prior. I’m not speaking of loading up on pancakes and bacon before jogging, but I am recommending a lighter meal to give you the energy to partake in the physical activity. Keep in mind that your body customarily burns about 100 calories an hour at rest and while you are sleeping. So, if you sleep eight hours at night, you have already expended 800 calories on awakening. To avoid major fluctuations throughout the day, you might consider what I call grazing – eating small to moderate meals every three to four hours. In that way, you should match your energy intake and output.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “A Strategy for Losing Weight: Introduction to the No Flour, No Sugar Diet.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.