Tackling the aging process

Their average age is 50, and they're beginning to wonder if they've lost a step, if time is finally catching up with them.

For men, it's commonly known as a "midlife crisis," a time when some try to disguise the natural process of aging by buying a new sports car or trading in one wife for another, younger model.

But apparently there's more to it than that. The causes can be physiological as well as psychological.

"A common complaint among men of this age is that they feel like they're a little off their game," explained Dr. Mickey Barber, a Charleston physician who runs Cenegenics South Carolina (www.cenegenics-carolinas.com), a practice that specializes in age management.

She says 70 percent of her patients are men.

"Some say they lack focus, have sleep problems or sexual issues," she said. "But it's usually a series of life events -- a divorce, change in profession, death of a loved one -- all these things can cause what we commonly refer to as male menopause."

Life is unforgiving

This change of life is common for women and happens rather suddenly, according to Barber. But it's different for men. It even has a different name -- andropause.

"Most women know when menopause hits," Barber said. "Estrogen drops and you get hot flashes and night sweats, all that stuff."

But for men it can be more insidious.

"The average man loses one percent of his male hormones every year after age 35," she said. "A lot of men ignore all the symptoms and try to make up for not feeling as male as they used to feel."

The problem, therefore, is complicated. Some men feel they are losing their vitality, but the world in which they live and work is still unforgiving.

"The majority of our patients are CEOs and executives who have demanding jobs and full lives," Barber said. "Most are going through a change and are looking for solutions. Some just want to take their game up a notch."

Fountain of youth

Cenegenics uses exercise, nutrition and the use of testosterone and hormones to bring men into balance, according to Barber, a graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina. It is not without controversy.

"Everything's controversial in medicine," Barber said.

Facing mortality this way isn't cheap. The initial evaluation is $3,500 with annual costs running up to $10,000. And, it's not covered by health insurance.

Read more columns by Ken Burger

"We get men who are successful in every area of their life," Barber said. "They've built a company, have a fantastic family, but just feel like crap. I just don't think conventional medicine, yet, really is able to help that kind of person."

Reach Ken Burger at kburger@postandcourier.com or 937-5598.