HORMONAL CHANGES IN MEN: HOW TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF BELLY FAT AND ED

Just as hormonal changes occur in women in their menopausal years, hormonal changes in men are common after the age of 40. Known as andropause, this decline in male hormones often leads to symptoms like depression, fatigue, increased belly fat and ED (erectile dysfunction).

While these changes are a natural part of aging, symptoms like belly fat and ED are not something men have to accept as part of an inevitable decline in quality of life. By recognizing the symptoms of andropause and seeking appropriate medical care, men can effectively manage these symptoms and enhance their confidence, masculinity, and vitality.

Macho Men & Andropause

Stereotypes about men abound. For example, the macho man is tough. He never whines about pain. He just keeps on going, no matter what. In fact, pre-GPS, he’d never stop to ask directions because that would be admitting he was lost!

Macho, high-risk behavior—ignoring the body’s symptoms, like belly fat and ED—is one theory for why women outlive men. In my practice, it’s usually women who are more proactive about preventative health care than men. It’s usually the wife who drags her reluctant husband to see me. “There’s nothing wrong with me!” he says. At first. Later, he’s grateful.

The “Pause” That Depresses (Manopause)

In both males and females, hormones decline as we age. Menopause signals the cessation of menstruation and the end of a woman’s childbearing years. Andropause, also called “Manopause” or male menopause, refers to the 60% decline in hormones that men may experience between the ages of 40 and 70 years. 

Lower hormone levels in men (specifically testosterone, DHEA, and thyroid) result in symptoms commonly associated with aging, such as:

• Depression
• Low sex drive
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Loss of muscle mass & increased belly fat
• Erectile dysfunction

Men often think if a symptom appears, it’s “just” due to aging. And when they think nothing can be done about it, they ignore their symptoms. This can be dangerous, even fatal.

Does Hormone Decline Affect Belly Fat?

Lower testosterone levels during andropause can lead to changes in body composition, including a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in fat mass, particularly around the abdomen. This shift in body composition is often associated with a decrease in metabolic rate, making it easier to gain weight, especially in the abdominal area.

Additionally, hormonal imbalances during andropause can influence appetite regulation, energy expenditure, and fat metabolism, further contributing to the accumulation of belly fat.

Does Belly Fat Affect Testosterone?

Excess belly fat, in return, can affect testosterone levels. Fat cells, especially those in the abdominal area, can convert testosterone into estrogen, leading to low-testosterone belly fat. Additionally, higher levels of abdominal fat are associated with increased production of the hormone cortisol, which can further suppress testosterone production, creating a connection between belly fat and ED.

The Connection Between Belly Fat and Ed: Can Belly Fat Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Weight and erectile dysfunction are in fact closely linked. Reduced testosterone levels due to abdominal fat accumulation can directly impact sexual function and libido, often contributing to erectile dysfunction. 

Additionally, belly fat contributes to conditions like insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and chronic inflammation, all of which can impair blood flow, endothelial function, and nitric oxide production—the key physiological factors involved in achieving and maintaining an erection. This cycle of hormonal imbalance, belly fat and ED can be tough to break.

Demystifying Erectile Dysfunction

When men experience erectile dysfunction (ED), they may blame aging or stress. The macho man may not want to talk about it, feeling his manhood or identity is threatened. This can be especially true when both excess belly fat and ED are present.

Often, the result is that having sex then becomes a stressful event. Talking about it can embarrass both husband and wife, with feelings of guilt and blame affecting both partners. In attempts to address the issue, some turn to erectile-enhancing medications like Viagra, which work by increasing blood flow to the penis, facilitating a firmer erection when sexually stimulated. 

However, relying solely on such medications without understanding the underlying cause can perpetuate the cycle of stress and anxiety surrounding sexual performance, which can further drive that cycle of hormone imbalance, belly fat and ED. This is why it’s crucial for individuals and couples to confront ED openly, seeking to understand the physiological factors at play to effectively address the root cause and heal.

What Exactly Is ED? 

When a man is sexually aroused, the arteries to his penis relax, allowing more blood to flow into it. The increased blood in the penis fills the spongiform bodies (tissue that swells like tiny water balloons), making the erection firm. 

Although the arteries relax to allow more blood to flow into the penis, just the opposite happens to the veins there. Normally, the veins carry blood away. But during arousal, the veins clamp off, causing the blood to stay in the penis. This maintains the erection.

Erectile dysfunction may signal that the blood supply going into the penis is blocked or that the veins are leaking the blood out the other side.

The Connection between Cardiovascular Disease, Belly Fat and ED

The blood flow issues that characterize ED can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes. 
In other words, ED is usually a circulatory issue, and it can be fixed. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, but it is something to take seriously, as ignoring it could lead to an early grave.

CVD, also known as the silent killer, is still the world’s leading cause of death. It’s called “silent” because few, if any, warning signs appear before a heart attack or stroke kills. Even athletes in their 40s, seemingly in perfect health, die from CVD. 

It doesn’t have to be that way. By getting screened for these seemingly silent processes and receiving medical guidance to address early indicators like excess belly fat and ED, you can eliminate risk factors, increase your joy, and restore your love life at the same time. 

You want your love to last, right? (Wives, you want your husbands to last, too!) Healthy sex has been proven to extend your life. The more you have it (for men) and the higher the quality (for women), the healthier you can be.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t happening for Eric.

Belly Fat and ED: A Case of Low T and Cardiovascular Disease

Eric was a successful, busy executive. He worked long hours, often missing meals or grabbing fast food, running to his next meeting. His wife and kids understood how important his work was to him. 

The years rolled by and the kids grew older. In his off-hours, Eric slumped into middle age on his recliner with his beer, chips, and remote control close by. He said he was just tired from work, but his wife worried about him.

He lacked the energy for anything beyond his cycle of work, eat, TV, sleep, and repeat. His belly (even his breasts) grew bigger, and his daily rut grew deeper.  

Fat and fatigued, Eric lost his desire for most activities, including sex; and he had difficulty sustaining an erection. His wife was smart. She knew his symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. Even though he didn’t want to talk about it, she loved him enough to keep urging him to seek answers. He finally booked an appointment with me. Eric was sheepish about his increased belly fat and ED struggles. 

I explained that belly fat is especially toxic—it’s almost a self-perpetuating monster in middle age. As hormones dip, weight gain around the middle is common. Compounding the problem, when vital organs are surrounded by fat, they become sluggish.

Even worse, belly fat changes what testosterone is there into estrogen! Low testosterone suppresses the urge for physical activity. Plus, Eric’s blood sugar was leaning towards diabetes, which explained his junk food and alcohol cravings. 

Eric’s lab tests revealed that his estrogen was too high and his testosterone was too low. This helped explain the breast enlargement and exhaustion. His suboptimal thyroid hormones were another culprit of fatigue, excess belly fat and ED. 

In addition to these factors, Eric learned the main cause of his ED. He had markers for circulatory inflammation—an early warning of cardiovascular disease. If blood vessels become hardened, blood can’t flow properly and erections can’t happen normally.

Can Losing Weight Help with ED?

Because his father died when he was a teen, Eric was now motivated—he didn’t want to follow that path.
With his wife and family’s support, Eric changed. Together, they committed to a better lifestyle: healthy meals, less screen time, and more movement. 

After correcting his nutritional deficiencies and balancing his hormones, Eric regained his energy and enthusiasm for life (including in the bedroom). He became more physically fit, less stressed, and more productive at work. 

Eric’s family and career benefitted from his commitment to becoming healthier.

Losing weight through healthy lifestyle changes, just like Eric did, can significantly improve ED. And, more importantly, breaking the cycle of excess belly fat and ED means addressing the serious underlying causes, such as cardiovascular disease, which can have severe consequences if left unchecked.

Addressing Belly Fat and ED: Preventing Cardiovascular Disease with Natasha Thomas, MD

If you know someone who, like Eric, is stuck in the cycle of hormone imbalance, excess belly fat and ED, I urge you to discuss that “difficult” topic with him—for his sake.  Let him know that there’s nothing to be ashamed of and that ignoring a problem doesn’t help, but that it could hurt—a lot. 

It’s easy to book a consultation with me, and together, we can uncover the root causes of increased belly fat and ED issues—to not only restore vitality, masculinity, and a more fulfilling sex life, but also to prevent the development of serious disease, promote healthy aging, and enhance overall wellness.

Revitalize your life and promote healthy aging through personalized lifestyle medicine with Dr. Natasha Thomas. Schedule a consultation now to take the first step towards a healthier, more vibrant you.