3 - Men's Health Flashcards
What is an androgen?
A male sex hormone, but do not occur only in men
Where are androgens produced?
Ovaries
Testes
Adrenal Cortex
The principal endogenous androgen in both males and females is:
testosterone
Testosterone is made by ____ cells in the testes
Leydig
Which hormones promote testosterone synthesis?
LH and FSH
Which has greater androgenic activity: testosterone from the testes or from the adrenal cortex?
Adrenal production is pretty inconsequential, at least in men
How is testosterone made in women?
The precursors (pre-androgens) are secreted by the adrenal cortex and ovaries, then converted into testosterone in the peripheral tissues
How does testosterone exert its effects?
Much like steroid hormones in general:
Binds with receptors in the cytoplasm, then the complex migrates to the nucleus and promotes mRNA synthesis for specific proteins
What is virilization?
development of male physical characteristics
Is the net effect of testosterone anabolic or catabolic?
Anabolic
promotes growth of skeletal muscle
Why do men have a higher Hct than women?
Because testosterone is erythropoietic
What are therapeutic uses of androgens, other than replacement therapy in males?
- Alleviation of decreased libido in menopausal women
- Cachexia from AIDS or severe trauma
- Anemia (especially aplastic)
Why is testosterone associated with thromboembolic events?
Because of its erythropoietic effects
What are some AEs of androgens?
Virilization
Premature epiphyseal closure, causing short stature
hepatotoxicity (rare)
prostate CA
edema
Clots
What effect does testosterone have on lipid levels?
can lower HDL and elevate LDL
Why aren’t oral androgens considered first line treatment?
Their androgenic effects are erratic and they carry a higher risk for hepatotoxicity
Testosterone gels carry a black box warning for:
Secondary exposure causing virilization in children
This is why its so important to wash hands after applying and to ensure the gel has dried before allowing clothing to touch it
If androgens are male sex hormones, why does taking large dose steroids for gainz cause sterility and testicle shrinkage?
Because all that excess testosterone in the blood stream is suppressing FSH and LH, reducing testicular production of testosterone
What’s the difference between milrinone and sildenafil in terms of MOA?
Both are phosphodiesterase inhibitors
Milrinone inhibits PDE-3, increasing cAMP levels
Sildenafil inhibits PDE-5, increasing cGMP levels
Which drugs should not be taken with sildenafil?
CYP3A4 inhibitors
Grapefruit juice
Alpha blockers
Nitrates
Which men should not receive sildenafil?
If they have signs that sexual activity may be unsafe:
- MI or stroke in the last 6 months
- Resting hypo or hypertension
- heart failure
- unstable angina
All PDE-5 inhibitors drugs are called:
“-afil”
Which neurotransmitters delay ejactulation?
Serotonin
Which neurotransmitters stimulate ejaculation?
Oxytocin and dopamine