MALE SEX HORMONES Flashcards
What does androgen cause?
What is it used for?
Masculinisation
Replacement therapy in castrated men
Hyogonadal men due to pituitary or testicular disease
(Intramuscular depot injections of testosterone tester are preferred for replacement therapy)
What are ANTI-androgens examples and what are they used for?
Cyproterone acetate
hypersexuality and sexual deviations in men .
Inhibits spermatogenesis and produces reversible infertility (but it is not a contraceptive) abnormal sperm forms are produced
MHRA; increased risk go mengioma with use
Finasteride and Dutasterude;
reduce sizer of enlarged prostate.
Finasteride used for BPH with Doxazosin
5alpha reductase inhibitors;
what are indications?
Lower urianry tract symptoms if prostate is bulky due to BPH - improving symptoms which include passing urine urinary retention etc
Androgenetic alopecia- finasteride 1mg
5alpha reductase inhibitors;
what is the moa
It reduces the size of prostate by inhibitor enzyme that converts testosterone to more active metabolite dihydrotestosterone.
Takes longer to see improvement than with alpha blocker.
5alpha reductase inhibitors;
What are important side effects?
impotence
reduced libido
gynaecomastia
Hair growth
Rarely causes;
breast cancer, suicidal thoughts.
surpresses PSA levels so create new baseline at 6 months so subsequent changes in PSA level can be detected.
5alpha reductase inhibitors;
What are important interactions?
Dutasteride is metabolised by CYP450 enzymes.
5alpha reductase inhibitors;
Why is anabolic steroids no longer used for osteoporosis in women?
Anabolic steroids have some androgenic activity, but they cause less virilisation than androgens in women.
They have been given for osteoporosis in women, but they are no longer recommended for this purpose.
The protein-building properties of anabolic steroids have not proven beneficial in a clinical setting.
