Men over 40 years of age can suffer from age-related complaints such as sleep disorders, mood swings, erectile dysfunction, and declining sex drive. Hormone therapy with artificial testosterone is often prescribed for menopause. But doctors warn of possible side effects.

Testosterone controls the sex drive

Testosterone is the main male sex hormone. It is mainly formed in the testicles. The main functions:

• During puberty, the hormone ensures the development of the genital organs. It controls sperm production and sex drive.
• Testosterone promotes the growth of body and whiskers, but not the scalp.
• Testosterone is beneficial for muscle building.
• A high testosterone level increases sexual desire (libido) as well as drive, endurance, and zest for life, but also dominant and aggressive behavior.

What is the normal testosterone level?

The concentration of testosterone in the blood in adult men is between 2.4 and 8.3 micrograms per liter. In the evening, the testosterone level is about 20 percent lower than in the morning. Around the age of 40, the testosterone level drops by one to two percent annually. Most of the time this has no noticeable effects so that hormone deficiency does not usually have to be treated. For symptoms and clinical suspicion, a hormone test is a cash benefit.

FURTHER INFORMATION

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With testosterone deficiency, hormone therapy can be useful. However, side effects can occur at higher doses. Prof. Sven Diederich answered questions on the topic.more

Causes of hormone deficiency

Only three to five percent of men over 60 suffer from testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) that requires treatment. Possible causes are

• stress
• Overweight
• Alcohol and drug use
• Tumors of the testicle or pituitary gland

Hormone therapy with gel or syringes

In the case of a pathological testosterone deficiency, many doctors consider hormone therapy to be useful. The administration of testosterone gels or depot injections can support the health and well-being of the patient. Some doctors are convinced that testosterone helps you lose weight and has a positive effect on blood sugar levels in diabetes. However, testosterone must not be used for concomitant diseases such as prostate cancer and heart diseases.

Serious side effects possible

But the higher the dose, the greater the risk of undesirable side effects such as aggression, liver damage, infertility, heart attack, and stroke. Deaths from testosterone therapies are also known. The natural variant is safer: through targeted exercise, the body produces up to 30 percent more of its own testosterone.