OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between sex hormones, physical complaints, depression, sexuality, and life satisfaction in aging men. METHODS: 263 outpatients aged 40 years and above (M=56.2; 40-84 years) were recruited from 6 andrological outpatient departments in Germany to evaluate "aging male" symptoms. Subjects were assessed by standardised self-report questionnaires, physical, and endocrinological examination. RESULTS: Total and free testosterone as well as DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate) levels decreased significantly with age. SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) and LH (luteinizing hormone) increased; estradiol remained unchanged. Inactivity, lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile and orgasmic dysfunction also increased significantly with age. A low testosterone level was significantly associated with a reduced motivation and a lack of sexual desire. In addition to reduced testosterone levels, a reduced motivation was also predicted by depression and an impaired physical self-concept. Reduced activity, erectile dysfunction, and low testosterone levels contributed significantly to the lack of sexual desire. CONCLUSIONS: Aging men are frequently afflicted with a wide range of physical complaints (e.g. fatigue, prostate symptoms), erectile and orgasmic dysfunction, reflected in a reduced physical self-concept. Assessment and treatment of age-related physical and affective alterations must consider their close interplay with hormonal and lifestyle variables.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between sex hormones, physical complaints, depression, sexuality, and life satisfaction in aging men. METHODS: 263 outpatients aged 40 years and above (M=56.2; 40-84 years) were recruited from 6 andrological outpatient departments in Germany to evaluate "aging male" symptoms. Subjects were assessed by standardised self-report questionnaires, physical, and endocrinological examination. RESULTS: Total and free testosterone as well as DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate) levels decreased significantly with age. SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) and LH (luteinizing hormone) increased; estradiol remained unchanged. Inactivity, lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile and orgasmic dysfunction also increased significantly with age. A low testosterone level was significantly associated with a reduced motivation and a lack of sexual desire. In addition to reduced testosterone levels, a reduced motivation was also predicted by depression and an impaired physical self-concept. Reduced activity, erectile dysfunction, and low testosterone levels contributed significantly to the lack of sexual desire. CONCLUSIONS: Aging men are frequently afflicted with a wide range of physical complaints (e.g. fatigue, prostate symptoms), erectile and orgasmic dysfunction, reflected in a reduced physical self-concept. Assessment and treatment of age-related physical and affective alterations must consider their close interplay with hormonal and lifestyle variables.
Authors: Alberto Briganti; Felix K-H Chun; Andrea Salonia; Giuseppe Zanni; Federico Dehò; Luigi Barbieri; Pierre I Karakiewicz; Patrizio Rigatti; Francesco Montorsi Journal: Drugs Aging Date: 2006 Impact factor: 3.923
Authors: Peter J Schmidt; Emma M Steinberg; Paula Palladino Negro; Nazli Haq; Carolyn Gibson; David R Rubinow Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2008-03-19 Impact factor: 7.853
Authors: C Wang; E Nieschlag; R Swerdloff; H M Behre; W J Hellstrom; L J Gooren; J M Kaufman; J-J Legros; B Lunenfeld; A Morales; J E Morley; C Schulman; I M Thompson; W Weidner; F C W Wu Journal: Eur J Endocrinol Date: 2008-11 Impact factor: 6.664