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Androgen Deficiency: This term means that some men might have less than normal amounts of testosterone as well as other male hormones. This happens when there is a problem in that part of the brain that controls the working of the testes or if there is some problem in the testes itself. In such cases, the doctor generally prescribes testosterone replacement therapy.
Male Hormones: Hormones trigger off certain changes in the tissues – you can say they are chemical messengers that interact with the tissues. A group of sex hormones in men’s bodies is known as androgens, and these are responsible for male characteristics. Reproductive and sexual function is based on androgens. These hormones also cause the development of secondary sexual characteristics like muscle development, bone development, and body and facial hair. Testosterone is the produced in the testes and is a major sex hormone.
Androgen deficiency means that the male body has lower quantities of androgens, especially testosterone.
Symptoms of Androgen deficiency: These include -
• Depression
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Development of breasts
• Seating and hot flushes
• Reduced sexual desire
• Loss of body hair
• Weaker orgasms and erections
• More body fat around the abdomen
• Reduced strength and muscle mass
• Less ejaculation fluid
• Less bone mass and threat to get osteoporosis
• More bad blood cholesterol and reduction in the level of good blood cholesterol
Treatment: Androgen deficiency is generally treated by Hormone Replacement Therapy. The person is given extra testosterone by an implant, injection, gel, skin patch or tablet. If the person is suffering from testosterone deficiency because of a problem in the pituitary gland, then injections are used to replace the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH).
After the HRT, the patients will keep meeting with their doctors for reviews and follow-up reports. During these follow up sessions, the prostate is examined to screen for prostate cancer.
Side Effects: Some of the side effects that can happen after the hormone replacement therapy are –
• Breast development
• Male pattern baldness
• Increased aggression and mood swings
• Mild acne
• Weight gain
• Elderly men might face problems during urination
Prostate Disease: It is believed that cancerous cells in the prostrate depend on testosterone and other male hormones for growth. So if you already have an enlarged prostate and are going in for a hormone replacement therapy, then this condition will have to be observed. However, there isn’t any evidence to show that HRT can cause prostate cancer.
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