Men's Hormone Health

Prostate Health

The father of the bioidentical hormone replacement movement, the late John R. Lee, M.D., identified the hormone imbalance known as “estrogen dominance” as the primary cause of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. In men, estrogen dominance occurs when progesterone AND testosterone levels drop too low to keep circulating estrogen levels in check. As Dr. Lee explains it, the same things that cause breast cancer, cause prostate cancer - abnormal cell growth fueled by excessive estrogen activity – estrogen dominance.  He also points out that, “it is highly unlikely that testosterone is the cause of prostate cancer. The highest testosterone levels in males are made during one’s late teens, at a time when no one gets prostate cancer. Conversely, prostate problems in men rise when their testosterone and progesterone has fallen and their estrogen has risen.” (Hormone Balance for Men, 2003) Current research supports his findings, linking estrogen dominance in men to hormone-dependent prostate cancer. When you consider that the prostate is the embryonic equivalent of the uterus, it all makes sense. In women, estrogen dominance occurs when there is not enough circulating progesterone in the body to balance the cell-growing tendencies of estrogen. The imbalance has been linked to uterine, breast and ovarian cancer, as well as other diseases.

It is also important to understand how hormone imbalances can reduce PSA (prostate specific antigen) production in men. PSA protects against prostate cancer by inhibiting the growth of blood vessels that feed tumors. We know that testosterone and progesterone levels fall as men age. Both of these hormones are anabolic – they produce energy, rather than using it up. So when levels fall below normal, cellular energy wanes and less PSA is produced.  Dr. Lee found that when testosterone deficiency was restored, PSA levels normalized.

Low DHEA levels may also put men at risk for prostate cancer. Declining DHEA production caused by stress and aging have been linked to a heightened risk for a number of diseases, including cancer. Supplemental DHEA has been reported in study after study to have a positive effect on the immune system and to be involved in the prevention of diabetes, cancer, hypertension and obesity. There is controversy about DHEA supplementation and prostate cancer, but in our opinion, medical science overwhelming demonstrates the benefits of medically supervised Bioidentical DHEA replacement.

Needless to say, it is extremely important that men with symptoms of hormonal decline get tested for imbalances of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.  Bioidentical hormone therapy (with guidance from a trained medical professional) is fundamental to restoring healthy male hormone levels. Hormone-free foods and products, optimal nutrition, exercise, strength-training and stress relief are also part of the big picture.

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