The improper and dangerous use of testosterone is when it is obtained elsewhere and used with no medial supervision at all. The siren song of "sexual staying power and libido enhancement" "natural testosterone enhancement" "emotional benefits of more testosterone" that you might see online is only telling you one side of the story. The promise of taking pills rather than the "humiliation" of going to the doctor's office for a hormone injection and "Testosterone is manhood" are come-ons directed at men's wallets, not at their well-being. The words "manhood" and "humiliation" strike at insecurities and are designed to initiate immediate action, not calm reasoning.

Testosterone is an anabolic steroid. The word anabolic means "pertaining to process of building up, especially in metabolism". The word steroid is defined as "a class of compounds made by the adrenal gland and reproductive organs in the body. Examples: testosterone and estrogen." Many people do not recognize the connection.

It has become common knowledge that some sports stars have taken or are taking some form of anabolic steroid. Less common knowledge is that adults will use it, for example, in the gym for higher performance on the treadmill or weightlifting, the competitive factor being other people in the gym or workout buddies. Some boys, however, have been given testosterone in Little League, for a better performance edge.

The point about what you do in private to your body may be one thing, but what is done to a growing child for such a negligible reason is totally another. Some parents may justify it by saying that baseball is their child's ticket to a better life. The kindest term for those parents may be shortsighted.

Steroids or performance enhancing drugs can be used to increase certain physiologic functions such as muscle strength, endurance, enhanced ability of liver and kidney function, and ability to pump blood. On the down side, they boost mood swings, anger and aggression, make for risky behavior; they can damage the liver and make cancer of the testicles and other organs more likely. Males with high testosterone counts are more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs, to smoke, and to engage in unprotected sex, among other things.

A child, whose body is still growing, is making hormones of his own. His brain is still developing and can be seriously damaged by the inclusion of testosterone. He may be taught to throw a wicked curveball, but his bones, tendons, and muscles are still growing. Serious injury and joint malformation are so much more likely. He may be a star on little league, but ruined for professional ball or any life of sports.

A doctor should be the first one consulted about testosterone therapy in male menopause, not websites. There is no "humiliation" in taking good and prudent care of your health.

At different times in their lives, most young males will give up their risky behaviors. Indeed, many come to recognize that living life, raising a family, and making the mortgage is risky enough in itself, thank you very much. Young women come to realize that Daredevil Johnny is not the marrying kind and they begin to cast their eyes on some less flamboyant men that can give them the life, family, and mortgage that Johnny never could.

After twenty years or so of marriage a woman knows her husband pretty well. The kids are looking at college soon, life is taking on a less frenetic tone, and there's equity in the house. They've been lucky, things are looking good…

And suddenly her husband has lost his mind.

It starts in little ways; new hairstyle, a couple of loud ties, sucking in his stomach when he walks by a mirror. All that is OK, even cute…then he buys a motorcycle. It's red, it's loud, and he's riding it to work.

Her mother says something about male menopause, but she's worried and not really listening…He's talking about rock climbing, he's joined a rugby team he's taken to dropping by a bar for a quick one after work …and then he rides the bike home when he's obviously drunk.

She loses it and blows up at him. He blows up right back and sleeps on the couch that night.

Actually, for once in her life, she should have listened to her mother. Male menopause, (also called Andropause or viropause) is a very real condition that is just beginning to be recognized and studied by the medical community. Unlike the female version of menopause, that has well recognized symptoms and takes place over a shorter, definable timeframe, male menopause takes place in tiny increments over a number of years. A male, around the age of thirty, starts to lose testosterone, but his testosterone level only goes down by about 1% a year. Gradually, he may notice his libido is decreasing, he may be feeling a lack of bodily strength and he may be having trouble achieving and sustaining an erection.

Reactions to this change of life vary from man to man. Some become reckless thrill seekers, some sink into depression, some commit suicide, many lead lives of quiet desperation, wondering what's wrong with them. Some lucky guys never feel a thing.

What women can do for their husbands, if they are seeing uncharacteristic behavior, is to make an appointment with the family doctor for a physical. It is possible that he is testosterone deficient and/or nursing a depression. Medication and/or counseling can help him in more ways than one.

All the stuff about money and carpools and orthodontists and marriage counselors all came later; the first thing we had to do was survive.

While the two first folk are busy learning to survive, here is an interesting fact to ponder. Men's brains are nine percent larger than women's, while women have the higher percent of grey matter (that being central bodies of nerve cells). Men have more of the brain's white matter (that is long thin filaments that connect nerve cells). Between the two hemispheres of the brain is the corpus callosum, made of white matter, is proportionately smaller in men than women. OK, now, science lesson is over, you can wake up now, because all this stuff will attain relevance in just a second.

Until the eighth week of gestation, every human brain looks female, which is until a surge of testosterone makes it a boy. Within a year, girls and boys will usually choose toys, or will play with them in a way that in the girls is nurturing. Boys choose cars, balls and guns, preferring those which can be played with actively or hurled into space. I know, when I read that study I thought the tone was a bit snarky. But then I read something else that gave it a bit of perspective: if you do that same study with baby monkeys, the sexes chose exactly the same. I mean, if this is a genetic imperative with every male mammal, maybe we've been too hard on the boys, and here's a way to help them with their Andropause, which sounds much more distinguished than "male menopause."

Researchers are coming to the conclusion that the same herbs that women find so efficacious also fill the same bill for some men. Many of the holistic practices such as acupuncture and massage work for either sex. And anyway, in the final analysis, isn't this the best way for it to be? You shared love, marriage, carting around all that baby equipment; you shared secrets and jokes and heartaches and you can probably share each other's glasses to read a menu; I'll bet you even share each other's prescription muscle relaxants, if the truth be told.

So take a deep breath, hold hands, and walk through this stage of life like you've walked through most of the others: together!

Presently, we see a man, half in shadow. He has short dark hair and a dark suit. The man climbs the stairs and walks to the lectern which is lit by a single spotlight. He will be our narrator for the night. The man stands behind the lectern, and as the light hits his face, we realize that the man resembles Rod Serling.

NARRATOR: Good evening.

A projector starts to hum, and onscreen, we see an outline of a man's body, with two bright lights highlighting his forehead and his groin.

NARRATOR: Submitted for your approval. This man is named Andy Androson, a man in his mid-fifties who lives in Southern California. Andy is a happy man who lives a life of excitement. He is a hard charger at work. Andy has a full social life. Girls love him. When he's not romancing the ladies, Andy is a rugged outdoorsman who excels at hunting and fishing. In his spare time he likes to lift weights and prizefight.

Suddenly, on Andy's outline, the two lights begin to flash.

NARRATOR: Andy would not be where he is today without his three closest friends.

NARRATOR: This is Brian Brain, Andy's chief advisor. When Andy needs quick decisions and intelligent opinion, Brian is right there to give them to him. Andy's nickname for him is "Brainy".

NARRATOR: And these are twins, Tim and Tom Testes. They are fun guys who like action and excitement. Don't get them riled, though, or you might be looking at a knuckle sandwich. These guys think and act alike, and so Andy's nickname for them is "The Twins."

The outline on the screen is a picture of a tanned, muscled man in a pair of Speedos. He is relaxing against a wall, smiling, and watching people pass by. Someone begins to speak, but it is not the NARRATOR. It is Andy's friend Brainy.

BRAINY: Hoo-boy, guys, check out that beautiful redhead in the bikini! She has got it going on…I think we'd like to…like to…?Twins?

TWINS: Huh?

BRAINY: I said I think we'd like to…to…

TWINS: Listen, Brainy, it's been a hard week and we just want to hang out.

BRAINY: I can't believe you said that! Andy! Andy! Hey, are you listening to this?

ANDY ANDROSEN: Yeah, well you take care of it, Brainy (yawns). I think I feel like a nap.

BRAINY: ARRRGH!

NARRATOR: The Chinese possess ancient wisdom. Young men, flush with testosterone, will strive and compete and fight while they accrue possessions, power, and position. As the years fly by, testosterone wanes until a man finds himself at the end of the first phase of his life. Now flowers the second half of life, when a man may nurture, mentor, and take a nap when he feels like it. Some call it the male climacteric. We call it…andropause.

In fact, if you are taking the holistic (or "whole being") approach to your treatment you have also consulted with a counselor who can help you through those rough patches about anxiety and self-esteem that often pop up during this kind of treatment. And heaven knows that if you've had some frustrating moments (seems like hours) at intimate times in the bedroom, you've begun to understand that male menopause has profound effects on several levels of your being.

So, if we have our physical, hormonal and mental therapies all mapped out, and we're sticking to it like we should, what is left for us to do? Ideally, we have increased our amount of exercise, we've decreased our intake of fatty foods and alcohol, and we have introduced medicines and/or beneficial herbs to our systems that all work together to make us healthier and happier.

Ah, happier, there's the place we want to be! Why is that? We want to be happier because our attitude has a profound effect on our healing and well-being. It has been shown time and again that patients with upbeat and lighthearted outlooks will respond to healing therapies far more readily than miserable sourpusses will. Folks who are prepared and inclined to laugh at themselves and the world around them can have far more success at regaining their health than passively dejected individuals will. We're not talking about medical depression here, we're alluding to the attitude that people muster when they go into a difficult situation.

So, let's lighten up on ourselves and have a few laughs. You've probably heard the famous anecdotal tale of the fine fellow who was diagnosed with a grave illness and proceeded to augment his medical treatment with hours and hours of Three Stooges films. Larry, Moe, and Curly Joe may not be your specific cup of tea, but you get the idea. Avoid the depressing entertainment options and go for the sure-fire gigglefests that you already know will greatly amuse you. The Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, and Red Skelton are just a few of the early comedians that rarely fail to provoke laughter, and they can all be found in the classic film or comedy section of your local video shop.

If nothing else, find humor in the difference between the way men experience menopause and the way women do. As Rita Rudner says in her live comedy routine, "male menopause is a lot more fun than female menopause because with female menopause you gain weight and get hot flashes. With male menopause you get to date young girls and drive motorcycles." Laugh it up!

Well, anyway, you guys have been together a lot. He saw you through how many pregnancies? On that basis alone he deserves a medal. You know, soon he's going to be going through some biological minefields of his own, and you can help him, even if he doesn't know you are helping. Let's talk about the care and feeding of an andropause male. That sounds much better than menopause, doesn't it? A rapidly shrinking minority of medical professionals doesn't believe there is such a thing; yeah, tell that to my fibromyalgia.

Female menopause is a much more easily observed phenomena, but if menopause is defined as the gradual decline of gender-specific hormones in a human body, then, bingo, we have andropause, because that is exactly what it is. Somewhere around forty years old, in some cases younger, the male hormones begin to gradually diminish. Men may begin to notice thinning hair, less endurance, weight gain, sleep disturbances, not all at once, but gradually. It is usually the first time a guy has problems getting and maintaining an erection that this new phase of life introduces itself.

That first time is brushed off with he was too tired, or stressed, or whatever; all males have that problem at one time or the other. But this erectile problem thingy starts popping up more and more until that tried and true loving scenario that never fails, fails. And then, sister, you and your man have some talking to do.

But do it gently, very gently. This great big guy who has faced down big trouble and danger galore is now a sad, frightened little guy who needs someone to tell him it's alright.

And that would be you. Remember all the times he comforted you because you felt you were too fat, too ugly, too pregnant, too old…you get my drift. There is no one more qualified to explain to that man that everything really will be alright.

It's time for a lot of hugging and holding, of embracing sexual changes when they come, and both of you learning that love and intimacy can make the both of you feel better. Now is the time for being patient, reducing stress on him, and doing your best to see to his physical and emotional health. More antioxidants like C and E should be stepped up, and in fruit and vegetables, with their healthy fiber. Read up on ginseng, yohimbe, ginko, and other herbs that are being found to help with men's health.

You guys are proud of everything you've been through together. Here's one more thing to go through as a couple and be proud of mastering, together.

What do these numbers signify? They indicate the number of men who are between forty and fifty-five. Why is this significant? Most of these men are experiencing some part of male menopause. Some are just beginning to realize some of the symptoms of male menopause are happening to them.

There are three areas that symptoms occur. There are physical symptoms, Psychological symptoms, and Sexual Symptoms.

The physical symptoms manifested are: longer time required to recover from injuries and illness, hair thinning or loss, endurance for physical activity slows, weight gain and a bloated feeling, requiring prescription eyeglasses, and sleep disturbances.

Psychological symptoms include: Fear and/or anxiety, increase in irritability, indecision, loss of self-confidence, depression, lack of purpose and direction, feeling unloved, unattractive and lonely, forgetfulness, and difficulty with concentration,

Sufferers with sexual symptoms feel reduced interest, fear of impotence, fantasies, sex and intimacy issues in a current relationship, and fear of loss of erection.

Just as women do, men are experiencing fluctuations in their hormone balances. Just as women do, men can experience complex hormonal fluctuations that can affect their sexuality, mood and temperament. In testosterone itself, there are rhythmic fluctuations not only weekly and monthly, but can even be four to five times in an hour! No wonder they can get so surly!

It is of interest to note that men will have physical and emotional reactions that are very similar to PMS. These guys can't catch a break!

But actually, men and women in their midlife are much more alike than different. Another way in which men and women are identical is in their need to consult their doctor if they experience painful, troubling, or anxiety-producing symptoms. The doc can explain what's happening, what should happen next, and give any directions he might have to the patient. The doc may prescribe a little hormone replacement therapy, but he might be as apt to prescribe lifestyle changes that can cure the bad and enhance the good; Eating right, eliminating animal products, limiting dairy products, increasing intake on veggies, fruits, beans, rice, and grain, Getting exercise, being fit aerobically, getting and maintaining strength, flexabity, and endurance, taking your vitamins and supplements, reduce stress, and be sure to have your checkup! Did you know that men make 130 million less doctor's appointments than women do? Another thing that you men can do is to stop beating themselves up about the sexual changes that are happening to you. Erections can be a bit problematic at this time, and the logical part of your mind will tell you truly that is a normal fluctuation. Your knees creak at this age, you need glasses, and none of those things will cause you half the anguish as an erection that you felt wasn't full or lasted as long as it should. If you can allow yourself to answer that question truthfully, you will truly have done the hardest thing in all the things that constitute male menopause.

If you don't keep yourself adequately hydrated, your whole body could be perishing for a drink! You can feel thirst as one of out primary senses. But once you drink a few swallows of water you're done. But are you?

Your muscles may cramp, your joints may creak, your skin can parch, your brain might go on strike, but do you recognize these as symptoms of dehydration? They can be!

One of the easiest things you can do for your body, including your male menopausal symptoms, is to drink several big glasses of fresh, pure water. "Dehydration can cause an imbalance of minerals," says Dr John R Lee, "which can affect hormone balance". Getting those hormones in balance is about Job #1for men in andropause (another word for male menopause). Your brain is 75% water and your muscles are 60% water, in fact, your body is made up of 55 to 75% water. Drinking enough of the cold clear stuff can help to reduce water retention (sounds wrong but isn't, if your body feels dehydrated it will store and not eliminate water in your tissues as a survival tactic), bloating, and recurring kidney stones.

Water is also nature's original #1 cure for appetite suppression; just have a glass between and before meals. Water helps to metabolize fat, clear waste and toxins from the body, and also lowers level of histamines in the body to help reduce allergy symptoms. It also plays a vital role in regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells, cushioning joints and protecting organs and tissue. That's not only a key to health, but that also addresses a whole slew of male menopausal symptoms!

A quick and easy way to figure out just how much water you need in a day is to take your body weight and divide it by half. So if you weigh two hundred pounds you need one hundred ounces of water a day for adequate hydration.

In case you're getting a little seasick thinking about all those glasses of water, you will be pleased to find out that there are quite a few water-rich foods that are not only delicious but can help to hydrate you. Melons of any kind are high on the list. Take out a big slice of watermelon on a hot sultry summer night and let the juice run down your chin and spit the seeds as far as you can. If that isn't a prescription for the male menopause blues I don't know what is!

Nearly any type of fruit and veggie has good water content. Juices and milk as well. Just make sure that the salt or sugar content is not so high that is negates its water value, and that the milk is low fat or skim to avoid the cholesterol. Sorry, your favorite Starbucks coffee just won't cut it because, unfortunately, caffeine is a notorious dehydrator.

A.D.A.M.

WHAT TESTOSTERONE WON'T DO FOR YOU: It won't make you an automatic hit with the ladies. Now let's face it, the only way pretty young girls are going to wind up beating a path to your door was if Johnny Depp happens to be visiting you for the weekend!

WHAT TESTOSTERONE WILL DO: Testosterone will give you noticeably more strength and give you more endurance at the gym, so you can really whittle down those extra inches that male menopause has put on your waistline. Your mood will improve so you won't be working on those old man creases on the side of your mouth. Give the girls a smile and see if they smile back!

WHAT TESTOSTERONE WON'T DO FOR YOU: It won't turn you overnight into a male icon of classic cool like Humphrey Bogart or Clark Gable.

WHAT TESTOSTERONE WILL DO: It can help to improve your memory so you could try some of Bogart's best world-weary lines on your next date. A trench coat wouldn't hurt, either. It will help to lighten your mood so you won't "Give a damn!"

WHAT TESTOSTERONE WON'T DO FOR YOU: It probably won't help you to write beautiful love songs to sing to your sweetheart or to play the guitar as well as Lennon and McCartney did.

WHAT TESTOSTERONE WILL DO: Maybe so, but at least, with your improved mood and reduced mood-swings you won't scare your sweetheart into thinking that you're Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde.

WHAT TESTOSTERONE WON'T DO FOR YOU: Testosterone or no, you're very unlikely to get to realize your dream of being a Major League Baseball player.

WHAT TESTOSTERONE WILL DO: With your increased aerobic capacity and increased fun capacity, you can make a damn fine Little League Baseball coach!

WHAT TESTOSTERONE WON'T DO FOR YOU: It won't make you a famous lover like Rudolf Valentino.

WHAT TESTOSTERONE WILL DO: It will help to even out your skin tone, so you won't be confused with Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer

WHAT TESTOSTERONE WON'T DO FOR YOU: You have always wanted to be a famous magician and work in the exciting world of magic, sawing girls in half and making tigers disappear. Now that you are middle-aged, there isn't enough time left to learn amazing tricks; you don't even have enough time to wave a magic wand!

WHAT TESTOSTERONE WILL DO: Well, uh, yes you do, and your girlfriend will love you for it. Anyway, you can always learn magic in your spare time.