Naturopathic Topics in Men's Health

Erectile Dysfunction

This type of hair loss is not a disease. The tendency to lose hair is genetically predetermined. A proper diagnosis is important because there are other types of hair loss as well. Alopecia is categorized as either scarring or non-scarring. Scarring forms of alopecia include types such as androgenic, areata, and secondary syphilis. Alopecia areata is characterized by sudden hair loss and is thought to be caused by an autoimmune disorder. Scarring types include those associated with inflammatory and  autoimmune conditions and severe infections.

Treatment

There are two drugs which are reasonably effective, although if stopped any re-grown hair is lost. Rogaine (minoxidil) can produce up to 50% hair re-growth although the hairs are often small. How this medication works is not fully understood. Finasteride (proecia) works by inhibiting the formation of dihydrotestosternone (DHT) in the scalp. This drug can re-grow hair and can prevent further hair loss.

To our knowledge there are few proven natural treatment for male pattern baldness. Unfortunately some overzealous marketers and unscrupulous "healers" may try to take advantage of the consumer by touting such claims. 

One natural medicine which has shown promise is ViviScal (a food supplement incorporating special marine extracts and a silica compound). We are currently trying to obtain this from Europe and make it available to our patients at a good price.

Good circulation to the scalp is important for bringing nutrients to the hair follicle so exercise and a healthy naturopathic diet plan are probably a good idea.

Male infertility can be cause by low or no sperm production as well as erectile dysfunction and many other factors. A correct diagnosis is absolutely critical if a successful outcome is to be achieved.  Conventional semen analysis may not be enough because it is not very accurate. In our office we would also include an evaluation for hormone problems such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, etc. Other causes must also be excluded including the use of drugs that cause infertility, infection, and a number of other conditions. History of exposure to toxic chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, use of alcohol, tobacco, Cannabis, and caffeine would also need to be looked at.

Causes of infertility

Naturopathic treatment

Elevated levels of the heavy metals lead and cadmium are of the most concern. We like to test for these metals and removal them. Numerous studies support the association with alcohol, caffeine and tobacco use and infertility/impotence. These substances must be avoided while trying to become fertile again.

The following are some medicines we use:

• Vitamin C. This vitamin protects sperm from free radical damage and improves the quality of sperm in smokers. When sperm stick together fertility is reduced. Vitamin C reduces sperm stickiness.
• Zinc. For men with low testosterone levels, zinc supplementation raises testosterone and also increases fertility. For men with low semen zinc levels, zinc supplements may increase both sperm counts and fertility.
• L-arginine. Most research shows that several months of L-arginine supplementation increases sperm count and quality and also fertility. However, initial sperm count is extremely low (such as less than 10 million per ml), L-arginine will have little effect.
• Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient used by the body in the production of energy. While its exact role in the formation of sperm is unknown, there is evidence that it will increase sperm count and motility.

• Vitamin B12 is needed to maintain fertility. Vitamin B12 injections have increased sperm counts for men with low numbers of sperm. These results have been duplicated in double-blind research.

• L-carnitine is necessary for normal functioning of sperm cells. L-camitine has been found to improve sperm motility and sperm maturation.

• Selenium. In a double-blind study with infertile men, supplementation with selenium significantly increased sperm motility, but had no effect on sperm count.

• Asian ginseng may prove useful for male infertility. A study found that Asian ginseng given for three months led to an improvement in sperm count and sperm motility.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
There are three main categories of ED: psychological, hormonal and neurovascular. Various tests need to be done by a doctor to determine what type of ED a person has.  Without a proper diagnosis treatment will not be effective. A physical cause is the most common.

Causes

1. Neurogenic: Disruption of nerve impulses from the brain.
2. Disease: Damage to nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, and other tissues, as a result of disease, is the most common cause of ED. Diabetes, kidney disease, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, vascular disease, and neurologic disease--account for about 70 percent of ED cases. It is very common for men with diabetes to get ED.
3. Surgery: It can harm nerves and arteries near the penis, causing ED.
4. Drugs: blood pressure drugs, narcotics, antihistamines, antidepressants, tranquilizers, appetite suppressants, and cimetidine can cause ED.
5. Psychological factors: stress, anxiety, guilt, depression, low self-esteem, and fear of sexual failure cause 10 to 20 percent of ED cases. .
6. Smoking: This affects blood flow to the penis.
7. Hormonal abnormalities, such as not enough testosterone.

Naturopathic treatments

If allopathic options such as surgery, drugs or vacuum devices are not appealing to you naturopathic medicine does have some alternatives to offer. Our approach involves addressing the underlying causes of ED and enhancing libido.

Few natural medicines actually produce erections but many will enhance libido.

How stressed are you?
Like an athlete who is over- training, typical symptoms of over-stressing include insomnia, depression, fatigue, headache, upset stomach, digestive disturbances, and irritability. Some deal with this by using drugs, overeating, watching excessive television, having emotional outbursts, feeling helpless, or overspending. The best way to find out if you are overstressing is to have a complete workup including an adrenal stress profile.  

It’s how you handle stress that matters
How an individual handles stress plays a major role in determining their level of health. For years researchers have been looking at the association between stress and heart disease, including the beneficial effects of relaxation therapies.  Chronic diseases are usually caused by an inability of a person’s body to maintain optimal balance. Stress profoundly affects the delicate balance primarily through altering your body’s output of hormones, central nervous system, and immune system; although other systems are affected as well.

According to Hans Selye (the father of modern stress research ), stress alone should not be viewed negatively. It is not the stressor that determines the response; instead it is the individual’s reaction which triggers the response. This internal reaction is highly individual. One person's stress may be another person's medicine.

The Important point here is that you need to be able to adequately handle stress.  While eliminating excess stress might be optimal, usually is is not practical (we all have to work and live).  Our goal is to help you develop an appropriate response to stress by "preparing you body to take it."

What should you do?
Before any herbs or supplements can be recommended it is very important to have a physical examination and some tests done. Treatment will take into consideration, blood levels of stress hormones, blood pressure, lifestyle, work and family situation, family history and many more factors. It is not appropriate, for example, to start taking Panax ginseng when you feel stressed because this could actually make things worse by raising blood pressure and stress hormones.

Get a comprehensive stress evaluation. This may include a complete history, physical exam and laboratory or functional tests depending on the case. If you are not in our area we can set up the next best thing through a phone consultation. Our treatments will vary depending on the situation and can include relaxation training, dietary modification, natural medicines, nutrition, and eliminating food allergies or sensitivities.