What is androgen (or testosterone) deficiency?
Androgen or testosterone deficiency is the body’s inability to produce enough testosterone to function normally. Although not a life-threatening problem, androgen deficiency can negatively affect your quality of life.
How common is androgen deficiency?
Testosterone production declines with aging. Studies have reported a 1% reduction per year in testosterone. The frequency of androgen deficiency increases with age; From 0.1% among men aged 40 to 49 years, 0.6% among men aged 50 to 59 years, 3.2% among men aged 60 to 69 years, and 5.1% among men aged 70 to 79 years. e will rise. A greater decrease in testosterone levels is observed in those with obesity and chronic (diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease) medical problems.
What are the symptoms of androgen deficiency?
sexual symptoms
Decreased libido
Erectile dysfunction
Decrease in spontaneous/morning erections
physical symptoms
Decreased activity
Walking difficulty > 1 km
Reduced stretching
mental symptoms
Low mood/mood deviation
Decreased motivation
Burnout
How is androgen deficiency diagnosed?
It involves a comprehensive medical evaluation and taking at least two blood samples (in the morning on different days) to measure hormone levels. Diagnosis should not be based on symptoms alone, as it may be caused by other health problems that require different treatment. A diagnosis of androgen deficiency is only confirmed when blood tests show a lower-than-usual testosterone level.
How is androgen deficiency treated?
Androgen deficiency is treated with testosterone therapy; This means exogenous administration of testosterone in doses that normalize blood testosterone levels. Regular training, weight loss, increasing muscle mass, active treatment of chronic diseases and a healthy diet are essential for more appropriate testosterone levels.
What are the main forms of testosterone therapy?
For testosterone therapy, injection, gel, cream, patch and tablet forms are available.
What are the side effects of testosterone treatment?
Side effects are generally not expected because testosterone therapy aims to restore testosterone levels to normal. However, testosterone therapy can increase the enlargement of the prostate gland, which can make the symptoms of benign prostatic enlargement (such as the need to urinate more often) worse. In the case of prostate or breast cancer that cannot be cured with treatment, testosterone therapy is not used for fear that it may cause the tumor to grow. Having coagulation disorders is also in the midst of contraindications. Physician supervision is essential before and during treatment. Although there are extremely safe treatments under supervision, uncontrolled use can cause significant damage.
Do herbal products benefit in androgen deficiency?
There are many herbal products marketed online that can act like testosterone and increase muscle strength and libido. However, there is no known herbal product that can replace testosterone in the body and be used to treat androgen deficiency.
Will testosterone treatment affect my ability to have children?
A man who wants to become a father in the near future should not be given testosterone therapy. Instead, we recommend hormone treatments that stimulate testosterone synthesis from the body and do not affect sperm production.
Can I do something random to prevent androgen deficiency?
Healthy diet
Systematic sports, sufficient muscle mass for age
Keeping other chronic diseases under control
Not using hormones-testosterone and steroids unnecessarily without the supervision of a physician
Avoiding tension
