Men's Health

FIND ME!

Transcript

Bri Hurlburt  0:00  
Hey everybody, welcome back to Homeopathy at Home with Melissa! Today we're going to talk about something a little bit different for us, but I'm excited about it. We're going to cover men's health. We just had an episode about dads and thought it would be a good time to cover some men's health issues for any men listening, or for those of us who have men in our lives in various degrees. This will be helpful for all of us, I think.

Melissa Crenshaw  0:54  
Men's Health is not something that I don't often hear talked about. We have a lot here to talk about that concerns men.

Bri Hurlburt  1:07  
Okay, so you might just need to take it away, Melissa, because even though I have a husband and three sons, I think you know a lot more about this than I do.

Melissa Crenshaw  1:19  
What if we go down the list and you add comments or ask questions? The first thing on our list is tinnitus. Tinnitus is huge right now with a lot of people. I don't know why that's happening, But men tend to really struggle with tinnitus, I think, more than women. Vertigo can go along with tinnitus, but often tinnitus comes first, at least in my experience, and then vertigo comes later as the damage worsens. Dizziness starts, and then vertigo because there's damage in that ear. The Banerji Protocol for tinnitus is Tellurium metallicum 200c every three days, and Conium maculatum 6c twice per week, which is also about every three days. I wanted to read you the Banerji Protocol the way it's written because really you should follow it the way it's written. The way it's written, you don't mix the two together. I have had plenty of people mix the two together and still have good results, so just want to throw that out there. If you want to follow it exactly, you'll take them separately. If you want to mix them together, I've seen it work, so that's a great place to start.

Bri Hurlburt  3:08  
Do you know what causes tinnitus? I know we're not doctors, but I wonder if there's a reason it does affect men so much more often.

Melissa Crenshaw  3:22  
I think it's the damage from loud noises. Teenage boys listening to loud music in their cars or whatever, and then the the jobs that men have often are in loud environments. Men also don't always concern themselves with hearing protection. Some do, of course, and my husband does. He's worked in landscaping for 20 something years and he wears ear protection when he uses the loud equipment. We have a big, huge I don't know what you call it thing we cut the grass with, and he and my son wear ear protection when they're driving that thing around. All those loud noises can damage something in your ears.

Bri Hurlburt  4:23  
So, men, protect your ears!

Melissa Crenshaw  4:25  
Yeah. But you know, I remember as a teenager riding around with friends of mine who were boys, listening to their music thumping loud! 

Bri Hurlburt  4:39  
My four-year-old boy will say, "Mom, will you play the Star Wars theme song bursting loud?!" That's what he calls it.

Melissa Crenshaw  4:55  
See? Guys like it loud. I remember riding around with a guy who had the loudest system of anybody, and I remember feeling like this hurts, this doesn't feel right. And I remember going to concerts or clubs,, and I remember feeling like it was too loud. I say that because I have tinnitus now. It can also come from a head injury, from the mercury fillings, toxins in the body, and then of course, the damage from loud noises. The next thing on our list is viral induced hearing loss. I hear this a lot with men, too. For some reason I hear it more with men than women that after they get a virus, hearing loss can happen. I've heard of men that have had hearing loss and tinnitus come on after a flu shot, and the flu shot is injecting the virus into your body.

Bri Hurlburt  6:33  
I think a lot of times we don't consider shots in looking back on our health. We look back in our past, and we remember that we might've gotten the flu, but we often look over if we got the flu shot, unless you had an immediate severe reaction. Unless you ask someone if they've had a shot recently, they usually don't think to link that and any later issues that came as a result.

Melissa Crenshaw  7:05  
That's great. You know, that's a great thing to ask people when when people come to you for help with homeopathy. There are questions to be asked - what happened just before? With viral induced hearing loss, that is where I would look at "never well since a virus." There are plenty of remedies that are great for "never well since a virus," but one I use often is Gelsemium 30c or 200c, once per day, until you're very much better. With that being a chronic thing, you want to reassess the situation after eight weeks - see if it's any better after eight weeks, and if it's not then you might need to do something else. If the ears are clogged because this virus, then Kali mur 30c or 200c every day, and see a good chiropractor. With or without clogged ears, see a chiropractor. Same thing for tinnitus - a chiropractor can help. 

Bri Hurlburt  9:01  
We see a chiropractor often just for general wellness, but especially with ear problems. I have seen a huge difference with this, so I thought it would even help as you're healing from tinnitus. I know it's not the same since the damage is different, but I do think your whole body is connected and it's always helpful. It makes a huge difference for us.

Melissa Crenshaw  9:23  
Yes, love it. The next thing is endurance during intimacy. It really depends on the etiology when we're talking about things like this with men - it depends on what the reason is. The predisposition to low endurance during intimacy is increased in smokers. That means smokers are going to have a higher likelihood to have trouble with endurance during intimacy. If you didn't know that, and you smoke and you're having trouble, your first thing to do is to quit smoking. Homeopathy can help you to quit smoking! You probably need a chronic console, but just contact me, and I can help you with any addictions (which is also on our list). Also, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, circulatory diseases, or arterial sclerosis - those things can predispose you to having trouble with endurance. Again, overall health. Eat well, protect yourself, and use homeopathy to uproot conditions. The causes of endurance problems are often due to psychological problems. However, 75 to 80% are physiological and have their origin in, again, circulatory problems or even prescribed medications. If you're on prescribed medications, you need to go to drugs.com and look up the side effects of the medications that you're on. If this is a side effect of a prescription that you're on, then we need to address why you're on the prescription. Is it a skin condition? Is it a gut condition? Is it a heart condition? cholesterol? Whatever it is, we need to address that with homeopathy so that you can possibly come off of or reduce that prescription so that that side effect will go away. 

Bri Hurlburt  12:19  
Often it can start maybe physically, and then it becomes psychological, because that's a hard thing for men to deal with and not know what the problem is, or to not understand that it's related to something that is physical that you can change or that can heal. So hopefully this has encouraged you that there are many avenues to help take care of this.

Melissa Crenshaw  12:47  
I hope so, too. I was gonna say, it's like the person who eats at McDonald's every single day and then is sick and wants homeopathy to fix it. No, that's not health. You might as well go the allopathic route if you want to continue living the lifestyle that's causing your problem. I do hope this is encouraging also, because if you're doing any of these things or you can change any of these things, homeopathy can help you. Also, nerve disorders and pelvic trauma can be causes of endurance issues. 

Bri Hurlburt  13:32  
In the same way that our environment really affects women's hormones and our health, I don't think men are generally as aware that the environment they're in can also affect them. This could be chemicals in the environment, in clothing, in plastic or things like that, that you don't really think about all the time. Something to also consider - at home, what it's like and then at your workplace, what it's like. @hat you're being exposed to? How can you mitigate some of that? To me, that could play a huge role in this, too.

Melissa Crenshaw  14:09  
I agree. I hope this doesn't sound like we're putting men down, but it's often the women in the families who are doing all the research and the health stuff. That's what me and Mike Dixon talk about in the Dads episode. He's encouraging dads in how to get involved in their family's health care because the men are focused on providing for their family. "I am going to work, I'm going to provide food on the table and a roof over my family's head," and that's what they're concerned with. That's okay, that's the way we're made different. We're made different. Women who are listening to this, maybe the men in your life will never listen to this, but at least you'll have the information. And if they would listen to it, then hopefully it could bless them. We're all wired different or made different, and that's okay, but you do have a responsibility - man or woman - for your own health. Hopefully, this is really encouraging. 

A physiological problem needs a consult, so you need a chronic consult for that, but if it's psychological, here are some things that you could possibly try. If you're depressed and that's why you're having an endurance problems, then Aurum met 200c, every other day or every three days, either one is okay. If you're angry all the time, it might be hard to recognize. Sometimes, men, you might have to ask your wives or your family members or your friends what they see, and then be open to hearing the truth. If someone says to you that you're pretty angry or you get angry easily, or anything about anger, then that's Nux vomica, 200c, once or twice a day. 

Bri Hurlburt  16:35  
Something to consider, too, is that depression in men - really in anyone - can even show up differently that you'd think it would. You might initially say, "There's no way I'm depressed," because what we think depression looks like is laying in bed all day, can't get out of bed, or really sad. Maybe look into how depression may present differently, and maybe ask other people in your life, like you said. Other people that are close to you, that you trust, are often a really good sounding board for that kind of stuff.

Melissa Crenshaw  17:10  
Very good. Yes, I agree. Like I said already, addictions is on our list to talk about. Men often don't realize that they are self medicating with their substances, and if they didn't have those substances or if they looked back to before they started those, why was it? It's hard, I think, for some men to self reflect, and say, "I started using all this because I was angry/sad/mad/overwhelmed." Feeling overwhelmed can lead to depression. depression can lead to anxiety or vice versa, and worry. I love that you brought that up. Another thing is if you have low self confidence and gut issues like bloating, or indigestion, heartburn, then Lycopodium, 200c, once a day to a couple times a week. However you want to do that is okay, so you can work that out how you want to.

Bri Hurlburt  18:41  
Now, I know you said if this is a physiological problem to do a consult, but maybe just to ask the question, if this is a result of low testosterone for whatever reason, whether that's biologically in your body or because of environment, are there any remedies that you could recommend for that?

Melissa Crenshaw  19:07  
Yes, and let's talk about that. The first thing to remember is that homeopathy brings homeostasis, so the same remedy can raise or lower testosterone based on what your body needs. If you get the right remedy, it's going to bring balance to your hormones and to your body, whatever that is. You don't have to go get extensive hormone tests and then come and say, "Okay, I have low testosterone, which remedy do I take? Okay, I have high testosterone, which remedy I take? Okay, I have low androgens. I have too much estrogen..." None of those things matter. I don't have to know those things in order to help you. Let's differentiate some remedies for testosterone issues here. If you're low testosterone comes along with hair loss, then Selenium 30c might be a good choice, and Acidum phosphoricum might be a good choice. These really aren't protocols, so I can't tell you potency and frequency for these. This is where you just decide, or you get help from a homeopath. If there's melancholy, premature aging, lack of desire, Agnus castus might be a good remedy to introduce. Agnus castus is also great for erectile dysfunction, flaccid genitals, and low sex drive. Again, all those things go along with low testosterone. Argentum nitricum is good for when it presents with nervousness, the inability to achieve an erection, and lots of cravings for sweet and salty foods. A lot of people have cravings for sweet and salty foods, but when it also presents with these other things, consider that remedy. 

Then, let me urge you to look in your Materia Medica. Read these remedies and see which one actually fits the best, but these are just some good starting points. Low energy, poor concentration, and sleeplessness that presents along with your low testosterone, your endurance problems, your low libido, then Avena sativa is a good one to start with. Reduced libido with impotence could be Baryta carb, or some people say Baryta carbonica. Since we're not giving potencies and frequencies here, start low and slow, low potency like 6c or 12c, maybe 30c once a day. That's just a good starting point, and just see how you are in eight weeks. If this issue presents with irritability, depression, and decreased erections, then Caladium is a good one. Kali phos is a cell salt, and you could use that in a 6x, 12x, or a 30c or 200c - however you want to go about it. It's great for fatigue, depression, exhaustion, and frustration that presents as a part of your low testosterone picture. Lycopodium is also so good. I've seen Lycopodium work beautifully in men with low desire, endurance issues, impotence, and just being physically weak. I worked with a man earlier this year who works on a farm and he said he was physically weak which was not normal for him. I'm seeing that in a lot of people, not just men, in the last two years - there's just this weakness that's coming in, especially after they've been sick. Lycopodium is going to present with insecurity maybe, but maybe not. Remember, we don't have to have 100% of the picture. Low self esteem, low self confidence, bloating, gastrointestinal issues, especially when there's bloating - Lycopodium. The last one is if this issue presents with the sexual desire being there, but the ability is weak and there might be fatigue, that is Selenium metallicum. Did we say selenium earlier? I felt like we did.

Bri Hurlburt  25:07  
That's a long list to work with. Many are very similar, I think in fatigue, exhaustion, and seems to be linked a lot with low testosterone. So, if you feel like working your way through using a Materia Medica, that's a great idea. A lot of the 30s, you could probably find locally, otherwise I do see how by consult might just be less overwhelming - to have somebody experienced look at the bigger picture and give you somewhere to start might be more doable.

Melissa Crenshaw  25:41  
Yeah, and this is why I love to do these podcasts. There are plenty of people, mostly women, out there that want to dig in and figure the things out - they have the time, they have the energy, and they want to do it, and I'm giving you some great starting places. But maybe you're single man listening to this, and you're like, "I don't know how to learn this." Maybe you just need extra help. 

Bri Hurlburt  26:10  
Sometimes you'll look up remedies and think you need all of them, because they all seem very similar, and you don't know how to figure out which one to do. 

Melissa Crenshaw  26:25  
If you have the energy and the time and you want to learn more, then listen to podcasts - we have lots of podcasts that help you with taking a case and case management - or come take a class. You can get a consult if you don't want to learn all of that, but these are really great starting points, especially for those that want to dig deep and get into the Materia Medica and figure it out. What else have we got on our list, Bri?

Bri Hurlburt  26:56  
Okay, moving on from testosterone and endurance problems, we have other things men do with like hair loss and back problems. I'm thinking of my husband - his back is always hurting him, and he's too young! This is not normal.

Melissa Crenshaw  27:17  
Mhm. Lots of men have back pain. A chiropractor is an order, and I love the pain trio that I use with many people - it's a great place to start at least. It's Symphytum 200c, Hypericum 200c, and either Rhus tox 200c or Bryonia 200c. The way you would tell the difference is, you're going to use Rhus tox in that combo if it's better with continued movement. Think about the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz - he was stiff and and it hurt at first to move but as he got moving and as he moved more, he felt better. That's Rhus tox. You can even think of the rusty gate - it's squeaky and hard to open, but the more you move it, the easier it is to move. Bryonia is worse with movement.

Bri Hurlburt  28:26  
So, in those two scenarios for the back, I have heard from our chiropractor that statistically, most men go to work and sit. A lot of them now have more day jobs where they're sitting, and those front hip flexors get really tight, which puts tension on the lower back. At least for Kyle, my husband, that seems to be the case. That's the tightness that loosens up if he'll go for a jog or he'll do some stretches, and I would think Rhus tox for that. Then, there are the times where you hurt your back or you pull a muscle when you try to move something, and you move and it hurts so bad. That is more the Bryonia picture.

Melissa Crenshaw  29:17  
Yeah, Bryonia is worse with movement and better with pressure. Rhus tox is better with warmth, so you might want heat on it. That could be a question that you asked to determine a remedy. Do you want heat or ice? Heat is gonna be Rhus tox and ice would likely be Bryonia. A pinched nerve is Hypericum and a chiropractor. Get that spine lined up, get everything back in line. Whether it's an injury or even just, like you said, sitting for a long time can tighten things up. When your muscles get tight, it moves your spine, or the vertebrae, into a wrong spot and that can cause pain. If it's that the muscles are making things pull too tight, then Arnica is great for muscle tension, pain, and stiffness.  Hypericum is going to help that nerve pain, and then the chiropractor is going to help loosen all that up and get it back in line. For hair loss, there's three different things you can do and look at. To help the hair grow back, Phosphorus 200c every other day. To stop the hair loss, Ustilago 200c every other day. To just thicken the hair and stimulate those hair follicles, Silica 6x two or three times a day. 

Bri Hurlburt  31:24  
Could you take all of these together? 

Melissa Crenshaw  31:26  
Yes, you can take all of them together. Not at the same time, but wth 15 minutes in between each. Most men are just not gonna be like, "You want me to take this one three times a day, and then these other two every other day, there's no way." If you can't deal with that, do it twice a day, do it once a day, whatever you can get in because it's going to be helpful! Some men are just going to throw all of them in at the same time. I'm not suggesting that, but ladies and gentlemen, whatever you can do to get it in likely is going to work. If things aren't working, then you might need to backpedal a little bit and say, "Okay, let me follow the rules a little bit here." How important is it to you that it works? If it's very important, then do it right.

Bri Hurlburt  32:31  
You mentioned addictions earlier. I don't want to forget to go there.

Melissa Crenshaw  32:40  
Yes, addictions. So, for general addictions - whether it be alcohol, drugs, cigarettes - Nux vomica 200c once or twice a day can really be helpful to uproot that craving. We also really need to look deeper at what happened. When did you when you start using this? What was happening in your life? Why did you start using? Let's look at the psychological end of it and see if we can figure out a remedy to help with that part, too. But Nux vomica is great for men in general. In addition to addictions, it does a psychological thing, too. Especially if there's anger and irritability involved, then it's going to be a great choice. 

Let's look at some skin stuff. Skin tags - whether it be skin tags, warts, moles growths - Thuja 6c daily, likely for a while. This is not going to be a fast fix and is probably not going to be gone in eight weeks. It COULD. Everybody's different, so it's possible. Then, poor men with the athlete's foot and the toenail fungus. I don't know why more men deal with that. I really don't. I wish I knew. Maybe we should have done some research to figure out why more men have that than women. Your toenail fungus remedy is Graphites 200 every other day. Athlete's foot is Antimonium crud 6c mixed with Arsenicum album 200c once or twice a day. Okay, I think that's it. That's all the things on our list and I think that's a great start for men and men's health. Hey guys, and women that are trying to help your man, if there are more men's health things that you want to hear about or learn about, send us a message. Make a comment on this on this post wherever you see it. Let us know what else you want to learn about. 

If you want to be on the podcast and are a man or woman who loves homeopathy, has used it and has had great experiences with it, it can be so encouraging to other people when you've had a great experience and it helps to just let people know that there are lots of people out there that are using this and having great success. We would love to have you send me an email at melissa@melissacrenshaw.com. Let me know you want to be on the show, and we'll get you scheduled. Have a wonderful day, and we'll see you next time!