Men have unique health issues that often times can benefit from medications prepared by a compounding pharmacy. Just a every man is unique, so too are the custom medication therapies prepared by Stanley Apothecary's staff of pharmacists and certified pharmacy technicians. Outlined below are a few health issues men often deal with.

Andropause

Andropause, the male menopause, is the result of a gradual drop in testosterone. Symptoms manifest themselves in a number of ways including physical, emotional, psychological and behavioral changes. Frequently men notice a gradual loss of energy, loss of muscle, loss of mental focus, increased fat, decreased stamina, loss of libido, and sexual dysfunction. Virtually all men will experience a decline in hormone levels with age. Unfortunately, there is no way of predicting who will experience andropause symptoms of sufficient severity to seek medical help. According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 4 to 5 million men have low testosterone levels of which only 5-10% of these men will seek treatment.

A recent World Health Organization (WHO) report stated "male androgens progressively decline with age." In this study it was found that the testosterone level of the men 70 years old was only 10% of that of the men 25 years of age. By the time men are between the ages of 40 and 55, they can experience signs similar o female menopause. Known as andropause, its symptoms include changes in body mass, resulting in less muscle and more fat, changes in attitudes and moods, fatigue, a loss of energy, sex drive and physical agility.

Men's symptoms of andropause include:

The symptoms of andropause are also driven by your level of stress, quality of nutrition, amount of exercise and the environmental toxins you are exposed to on a daily basis.

A treatment for andropause often includes the use of compounded bioidentical hormones, hormones which are identical to the body's own chemistry, integrated with nutrition and fitness. This provides a natural treatment that helps men suffering the symptoms of andropause to live the best life possible.

To determine your hormonal needs, a physician should thoroughly evaluate your symptoms and hormone levels. Saliva hormone testing and/or blood tests can be used to determine what your unique hormonal needs are. Stanley Apothecary can assist you by providing saliva hormone testing (doctor's order required) and locating a physician in the Charlotte, NC area to start you on your journey back to prime health. Click here to request assistance.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

It's estimated that erectile dysfunction (ED) affects more than 20 million men in the United States alone. The majority of those men are over 40 years old, but it can strike no matter what your age. Sometimes ED is an unfortunate side effect of a disease. For instance, men who have diabetes, decreased testosterone levels, high blood pressure, an enlarged prostate, or some other health conditions may get ED. Often times after prostate surgery men experience ED due to nerve damage or other trauma to the male body. Sometimes smoking, alcohol use, or certain medications can all cause ED. It can even be the result of everyday pressures such as stress, anxiety, or just nervousness. Fortunately, no matter what the cause, Erectile Dysfunction can be successfully treated.

While some men respond well to oral ED treatments such as Viagra or Cialis, others do not repond to these treatments or have uncomfortable or even dangerous side effects to these medications. In those cases custom compounded medications can often be used successfully to treat ED.

The injectable medications Alprostadil (prostaglandin E1), phentolamine, and/or papaverine are used individually or in combination. While an injectable ED medication may sound intimidating or even painful, the truth is, the treatment involves very little discomfort and is an easy and very effective way to treat ED.

Common preparations:

• Alprostadil (PGE1):  Available in a variety of premixed concentrations
• Triple Mix (aka Tri-Mix):  A combination of Alprostadil (PGE1), Phentolamine & Papaverine
• Super Triple Mix:  A highly concentrated version of the standard triple mix injection
• Bi-Mix:  A combination of Phentolamine & Papaverine
• Papaverine:  Typically available in a standard 30 mg/ml concentration
• Custom combinations and concentrations available

Click here to view our illustrated guide on how to properly inject these medications.

Attention Men:

Contact any of our well qualified staff members at Stanley Apothecary and learn how you can benefit from anyone of the treatments outlined above. Don't wait another moment, a better quaility of life is closer than you think.