Depression May Lower Sex Hormone Levels Dr. David Demko, gerontologist and editor AgeVenture News Service "Not tonight honey, I have a hormone deficiency". Hmmm. That's a new phrase, and it's coming from the male side of the bed. Nevertheless, that phrase may become common place. A team of eight medical doctors associated with the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich has determined that sex hormones are secreted at different rates in men who are severely depressed than those who are not depressed. The study analyzed the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system in patients with major depression. Study participants were analyzed for testosterone, gonadotropin (a hormone that stimulates growth of the gonads), cortisol (a major stress hormone), follicle stimulating hormone (which stimulates sperm production), and luteinizing hormone (which stimulates the production of testosterone). "Our data suggest that men (age 22 - 85) who suffer from severe major depression have disturbance of gonadal function as reflected by decreased testosterone concentration," said Dr. Ulrich Schweiger, head of the study. Comparison of men with depression and those without showed: Lower testosterone concentrations during daytime. Significantly lower testosterone concentrations at night. Similar concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in both groups. Similar concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH)in both groups. The LH pulse was lower in depressed men. Cortisol concentration 68 percent higher in men with major depression. A negative relationship between cortisol and testosterone. The higher the cortisol level, the lower the testosterone level. The major implication of this study is that low testosterone may be one of several mechanisms in which severe depressive disorders impair sexual function and increase the risk of myocardial infarction and osteoporosis. The research reported in Psychosomatic Medicine. Germany's chain of Max Planck Institutes, funded by the German federal and state governments, support intramural research in a broad range of scientific disciplines. See related articles in the AgeVenture archives. AgeVenture Headline News AgeVenture Lifestyle Features AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com BACK TO TOP