White January: Can Low Testosterone Cause Depression? Understand

White January is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while there is a lot of talk these days about the importance of the topic, there is still a certain fear and shyness when the condition becomes an agenda of a specific audience; men.

However, considering that the picture is not only something emotional and subjective, and can be a real clinical sign, we take advantage of the period to highlight that not only women can be emotionally influenced by their hormones, but also men. According to a study published in the journal sexual medicine, from the University of Oxford, men with low testosterone are more susceptible to depression. It was shown that 56% of 200 men, aged 20 to 77, with low hormone levels had the disease.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is the virilizing hormone, which causes men to have the masculine characteristics of the human species. In this way they are responsible for the reproductive instinct of the species and promote sexual desire. Its deficiency is related to decreased libido and erection difficulty.

According to urologist Heleno Diegues Paes, having low testosterone levels can cause changes in mood and behavior, which can precipitate depression in people prone to this problem.

“Depression and its impact on daily and dietary habits can change a number of hormones and substances in our bodies, including testosterone. However, few will have pathological reduction. An important point is that depression is not treated with testosterone, but with antidepressants,” explains the specialist.

Another important point, according to the doctor, is that many symptoms of depression are similar to those of androgen deficiency, such as tiredness, fatigue, loss of libido, weight gain and discouragement from usual activities. The difference will be found in clinical and laboratory tests.

testosterone replacement

On the other hand, although the disease is not commonly treated with testosterone, in cases where mental illness is associated with two or more laboratory measurements of below normal range testosterone, Dr. Heleno says mental health can really benefit from testosterone replacement therapy.

In men, testosterone levels peak at the age of 20 and begin to decline over time and, in addition to psychological problems, their decrease can cause loss of sexual appetite, erectile dysfunction, increased body sweating and irritability.

Maintaining an active sex life can also be a strong ally in maintaining well-being and helping with health, both physical and mental. “To have good mental health it is necessary to keep the brain motivated, with challenges, feelings, pleasures and rest. In this sense, sex can help», concludes the urologist.

It is worth noting that a 2018 study indicated the benefits of testosterone replacement for treating depression in men. Posted in scientific journal JAMA Psychiatrythe research tested 1,900 men and found that patients given the male hormone were twice as likely to reduce depressive symptoms as those given a placebo.

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Source: Olhar Digital