Men
Without Treatment, Here’s How Aging Affects the Male Body.
20 Years Old
- The World Is Your Oyster.
Seriously. Nothing can stop you. - Testosterone Is On Full Throttle.
Production of testosterone and other important hormones will go strong for most of this decade. But they will peak by the end of your 20s, and then begin to diminish.
30 Years Old
- The Downward Slide Is Underway.
During your 30s, you begin to notice changes in how you look and feel. These changes are subtle, and probably not bothersome—yet. - Maintaining Muscle Becomes More Challenging.
Muscle mass peaks in your 30s. If you don’t take steps to preserve the lean muscle you built in your 20s, you may lose around 6 pounds of muscle by the time you reach 40. - You Gain Weight Without Trying.
Once you reach 30, your body will require 12 fewer calories per day with each passing year. Most men will gain weight slowly, reaching their maximum between ages 34 and 54.
40 Years Old
- Now You Can’t Ignore It.
The writing is on the wall, and the signs are undeniable. Aging has become a reality. Testosterone and other important hormones have declined to the point of deficiency, and you can feel it. - You’re Losing Your Mojo.
Upon entering your 40s, you may feel less motivated. Your drive to succeed at work, in the gym, or anywhere else is fueled by testosterone—and your levels continue to decline. - Libido and Function Become Less Reliable.
Low testosterone and elevated estrogen can equal a libido that is tanked. Performance can also suffer. About 40% of men will have some erectile dysfunction by their 40s. - Who Is This Grouchy Man?
Without balanced hormones, your moods suffer. You may be more irritable and less patient than you used to be. You may also be more prone to being anxious, or mildly depressed. - Insomnia Makes Everything Worse.
Declining hormones may also impact your ability to sleep. Meanwhile, being sleep-deprived aggravates everything else, including weight gain and irritability.
50 Years Old
- It’s Official: Andropause Is Here.
Different men will lose their testosterone and other hormones at different rates. However, in the absence of treatment, no man gets to 50 without experiencing at least some of the effects of andropause by this point. Aging is well underway. - Your Unbridled Energy Has Fizzled.
It didn’t happen overnight, but now it’s impossible to ignore. You don’t have the bounce in your step you once had, and you no longer wake up each morning ready to grab the world by its tail. - Here Comes the Spare Tire.
By your 50s, you may notice more weight accumulating around your midsection. This is mostly due to low testosterone, and also elevated estrogen. This kind of weight will be very difficult to lose, even with rigorous lifestyle habits. - Your Train of Thought Gets Lost.
Or at least it gets lost more often. You probably noticed the beginning of this trend in your 40s, but now it’s worse. This is because your brain’s synapses need hormones to function optimally.
Women
Without Treatment, Here’s How Aging Affects the Female Body.
20 Years Old
- Endless Possibilities Are Ahead Of You.
That’s right. You’re ready to take on the world. - Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone Production Are in Full Swing.
Hormonally you are at your peak. But by the end of your 20s, you will reach maximum production, and then your hormones will begin to decline.
30 Years Old
- Your 20s Are Over, and It’s Noticeable.
As your 30s progress, hormone production continues its gradual decent. Fertility diminishes, and you notice the first signs of aging. - Your Metabolism Slows Down.
Your metabolic rate drops 1-2% per decade starting in your 20s. This will mean eating fewer calories during your 30s to maintain the same weight. - Your Skin Starts to Change.
Estrogen is largely responsible for keeping your skin smooth and firm during your 20s. As this skin-friendly hormone declines, collagen and elastin diminish. The result is skin that begins to sag and wrinkle.
40 Years Old
- One Word: Perimenopause.
Estrogen and progesterone have ebbed and flowed in predictable patterns to this point. During your 40s, these fluctuations become less predictable, and hormones overall continue to decline. - Muscle Is Harder to Gain, and Easier to Lose.
As production of testosterone and other important hormones diminishes, you have to work harder to build and maintain muscle. Remaining strong and fit will be more challenging. - Your Desire For Sex Dips.
Women experience a significant drop in testosterone production during the 40s. Less testosterone, combined with deficiencies in other hormones, can mean a lower sex drive. - Irregular Hormones = Irregular Moods.
Mood swings. Depression. Anxiety. Irritability. You’re at an increased risk for all of these as your hormones shift and change. - Your Body Temperature and Body Clock Go Haywire.
Your body’s ability to regulate temperature malfunctions as estrogen and progesterone become more imbalanced. The result is hot flashes during the day, and night sweats while you’re trying to sleep. Your body clock is similarly affected, resulting in insomnia.
50 Years Old
- Menopause Arrives.
The average age for the onset of menopause is 51. Of course this is just an average—for some women it will happen sooner, and for others later. Regardless, your hormone production isn’t what it used to be, and in the absence of treatment, aging becomes a harsh reality. - You’re Tired. But You Can’t Sleep.
Because hormones regulate energy levels, imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, and other hormones can result in bone crushing fatigue. Meanwhile, imbalances in these same hormones can make it hard to sleep. - Body Composition Shifts.
As hormones continue to decline, your body composition continues to change. It’s much easier to gain fat, and much harder to lose it. Where you carry weight changes, too—less in the hips and thighs, and more in the midsection. - Your Brain Feels Like it is in a Fog.
As concentration and focus become more difficult, you may routinely forget where you put your keys, or why you walked into a room. Many women describe feeling like they’re stuck in a fog. This is because when you lose hormones, you’re also losing neurotransmitters.
Symptoms of Aging
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You can choose how you age by being proactive and managing your health. Spartan Medical Associates gives you the tools and expertise to age well and build a better you. Call (704) 469-5613 for a free consultation today!
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