Could hormone levels be the cause of depression in older men?

[13 November 2009 - 11h24]
[mis à jour le 13 November 2009 à 11h26]

The pronounced drop in testosterone levels in men aged 70 and over appears to lead to a significant increase in the risk of depression. This is the conclusion of a study carried out in Perth, Australia.

After the age of 40, levels of testosterone – the male sex hormone – begin to fall. Slowly, but inexorably, at a rate of approximately 1% per year. This phenomenon, known as male hypogonadism, is not without its effect on health.

It affects mood. As is well known, lowering of testosterone level can lead to fatigue, irritability, loss of appetite, etc. And in some men it can lead to depressive disorders. The Australian study is able to substantiate this finding: the men whose testosterone levels were the lowest saw a threefold increase in their risk of suffering a depressive episode.

These results are, of course, only preliminary. Further studies will be needed to confirm, or indeed invalidate them. With our present state of knowledge certain replacement treatments can be used to alleviate an excessive drop in testosterone level. Which naturally also impacts on libido and muscle tone. The bones become more fragile, so that for older men, as for older women, there is a risk of osteoporosis. Even though this may appear on average 10 years later than in women there is nevertheless a genuine need for treatments in this respect. However, it must be stressed that such treatments are completely contraindicated in the case of prostate cancer. Furthermore, these are major forms of treatment and can only be prescribed after medical consultation.

Source : JAMA

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