What is testosterone and how does its level change with prostatitis?

Prostatitis

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Description current as of 02/20/2016 Latin name: Omnic ATC code: G04CA02 Active ingredient: Tamsulosin Manufacturer: Astellas Pharma Europe BV….

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Source: https://poly-help.ru/kak-povysit-uroven-testosterona-pri-prostatite/

Prostatitis and steroids: impact on the chronic form of the disease

Many representatives of the stronger sex know firsthand about prostatitis. This disease affects men after 40 years of age. People actively involved in sports are no exception. In this regard, the question arises whether it is possible to use steroids for prostatitis.

General information about steroids

In men, the body synthesizes a natural steroid – testosterone. It is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the formation of a male-type figure.

It is testosterone that forms the basis for most anabolic steroid drugs, and their choice depends on the task at hand:

• gaining muscle mass;
• drying the body and burning fat;
• maintaining muscle energy.

Important! Steroids work only with a special diet, proper physical activity, adequate sleep and rest. The drug and dosage should be individually selected by an experienced doctor.

Commonly used drugs

A person who decides to resort to steroids immediately faces a choice. The market offers quite a wide range. I want the drug to be of high quality, effective and as harmless as possible. Here are just a few of them:

1. For the masses. “Deca-durabolin” (“Nandrolone”, “Retabolil”) occupies a leading position among anabolic steroids. Refers to injectable drugs, helps build muscle mass. In 3 months you can gain 13-18 kg. Many bodybuilders resort to it. It gives good results and is relatively safe. Does not give aromatization. When cancelled, the achieved effect is retained. Can be used either alone or in combination with other drugs. It is also a pain reliever. While taking the drug, erectile dysfunction, bloating, and water retention may occur.
2. For drying. "Anavar" ("Oxandrolone") is a drug that has a mild anabolic effect with low toxicity. It is successfully used when drying the body to create relief. In addition, it is also used in building muscle mass. The drug is very popular among bodybuilders and powerlifters. Does not affect the production of your own testosterone. Winstrol is an alternative to Anavar, but at a lower price. It enhances protein synthesis, but does not particularly build muscle mass. But it is very effective for drying the body. The downside of the drug is its high toxicity to the liver.
3. For strength. The best steroids for increasing strength are Anavar and Winstrol. Their use gives a good increase in strength without adding muscle mass.

Consequences of taking steroids

Many men, most often young people, resort to anabolic steroids out of laziness and the desire to get a beautiful body in a short time without much difficulty. But they don't think about the consequences.

It has a harmful effect on many systems of the body.

1. It all starts with the genital area. Synthetic testosterone, which enters the body in the form of steroids, suppresses the production of its own, often irreversibly. Potency decreases, up to impotence.
2. Prostate enlargement. This occurs due to the fact that the prostate cannot cope with a large amount of hormones coming from outside and, in order to process them, it increases its volume - it grows. The altered gland causes problems with urination and erection.
3. Anabolic steroids have a detrimental effect on the liver, disrupting the production of various vital enzymes.
4. The excretory function of the kidneys suffers.
5. The heart and blood vessels are affected.
6. There is a prolonged increase in blood pressure.
7. Long-term use of steroid drugs affects the emotional sphere. A person develops psychosis and attacks of unmotivated aggression. Character changes.
8. Side effects from taking the drugs include furunculosis. The functioning of the sebaceous glands is disrupted, the skin becomes covered with acne and acquires a grayish-greasy tint.
9. Building muscle mass occurs without changing the ligamentous apparatus, which bears an exorbitant load. Ligament and tendon ruptures often occur.

Steroids and prostatitis

If a person is engaged in bodybuilding, the use of steroids is common for him. Sport improves health and cannot lead to prostatitis.

But if the disease has developed for another reason (bad habits, infectious disease, injury), then steroids can only worsen the situation.

In acute cases of the disease, antibiotic drugs are often prescribed, which cannot be combined with steroids. Also, taking AC is strictly prohibited if the prostate is enlarged.

For chronic prostatitis, steroids are sometimes prescribed for therapeutic purposes. But taking medications must be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician. Self-use of anabolic steroids can provoke frequent exacerbations of the disease and its transition from chronic to acute. And this is already fraught with complications, such as adenoma and prostate cancer.

Bodybuilding and prostatitis

The widespread belief that heavy physical activity and prostatitis are completely incompatible things, according to doctors, is not correct. Bodybuilding, if you exclude the use of steroid drugs, is a good remedy for patients with a sore prostate.

Important! Bodybuilding exercises for prostatitis should be agreed upon with a medical specialist.

Reviews from men

Valentin: I have been doing sports for many years, taking anabolic steroids... The medical center said that they provoked an enlarged prostate. I had, of course, heard before about the effect of steroids on male strength, but I didn’t pay any attention to it.

After all, everything was fine with me. And now, family life is going to hell. We recommended a good doctor, and we are selecting effective medications for prostatitis. He prescribed a course of treatment with an immunomodulator and said that steroids suppress the immune system.

I hope everything goes well...

Alexander: I am a urologist and patients who have problems with the prostate gland often come to me.

Recently, a young man came in and complained that, along with the symptoms of prostatitis, he had signs of low testosterone levels: he gets tired quickly, his appetite is reduced, it takes more time to recuperate, he doesn’t want to do anything but lie down.

And he suggested that I prescribe him anabolic steroids as replacement therapy. But I am not a supporter of taking AS. People who take them come to me and already have prostate adenoma at the age of 30. There are other means that increase the level of your own testosterone, for example, Impaza. And anabolic steroids can also lead to impotence.

So, before you start feeding your body with various drugs, think about the consequences. Nothing passes without a trace.

Source: https://UroMir.ru/vospalenie/medicamenty/prostatit-i-steroidy.html

Prostatitis and Testosterone: is it possible to take the hormone for prostate diseases | hk-krasnodar.ru

Testosterone is the most important hormone responsible for sexual differentiation, maturation and the functioning of the reproductive system. Without his participation, the normal functioning of the entire reproductive system is impossible.

If the concentration of this hormone in the blood deviates from the norm, this may be a signal of problems in the prostate gland: from inflammation and benign tumors to cancer. Read more about the relationship between prostatitis and testosterone, as well as the features of hormonal therapy for the disease.

Prostate and testosterone

The effect of testosterone on the prostate gland is extremely strong.

It regulates one of its functions - the production of the secretory component of seminal fluid:

• from the blood plasma, the free hormone diffusely penetrates into the gland cells,
• reacting with the enzyme 5-alpha reductase and the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (they are contained in the nuclear membrane and endoplasmic reticulum), it is 90% freed from the protein bond and converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT),
• the inactivated free hormone affects the synthesis of the secretory fluid of the gland: it accumulates in the secretory cells and is released during ejaculation.

Important! Only DHT shows high activity and regulates male sexual function.

Any changes in hormonal levels affect the functioning of the prostate. During puberty, it increases in size, after which it remains in this state for a long time.

As a man ages, the level of testosterone and its derivative, dihydrotestosterone, decreases. From the age of 30, the concentration of the hormone decreases by 1.5% annually. In the presence of inflammatory processes in the organ, a decrease in the production of sex hormones can be observed at a young age.

These fluctuations most strongly affect the prostate gland: it begins to intensively produce the hormone, trying to make up for losses.

Under its influence, the epithelial cells of the organ begin to grow, which leads to benign hypertrophy and the development of adenoma.

Testosterone levels may also indirectly affect sexual health. For example, due to inflammatory processes in the body, the production of dihydrotestosterone may be disrupted: this sharply worsens potency and reduces libido.

In this case, a general blood test may show normal hormone levels.

In the process of diagnosing prostate adenoma and other pathologies, doctors must examine the patient’s hormonal background. An increase or decrease in its normal level entails disruptions in the functioning of the organ.

Blood testosterone levels

The level of androgen in a man’s body is constantly changing; its concentration is influenced by many factors: age, physical activity, stress and nervous strain, diet, etc.

Every day, Leydig cells secrete 5-7 mg of testosterone. In normal mode, it is produced exactly in the amount necessary to ensure the normal functioning of the prostate:

• total content in blood plasma: 12-41 nmol/liter = 300-1200 ng/ml,
• free hormone: 180-970 pmol/liter = 52-280 pg/ml.

The above values ​​are the reference interval or intermediate figures: everything below or above these parameters is considered a deviation.

Age-related degenerative processes provoke malfunctions of the reproductive organs. In 40% of men aged 40 years and older, tumors of benign and malignant types form in the prostate gland.

The appearance of oncological pathologies of the organ has nothing to do with testosterone levels: increased levels of the hormone in the blood do not stimulate prostate cancer. However, if the patient is already sick, high levels of androgen in the blood intensify the growth of cancer cells.

For prostate adenoma and malignant tumors, drug or surgical reduction of androgen levels to 8-11 nmol/l is required. To achieve this goal, estrogen and adrenergic blockers are used.

In the later stages of cancer, complete inactivation of the production of male hormone is prescribed by surgical removal of its main source - the testicles. After cessation of androgen production, patients are likely to experience a period of stable remission of the disease.

Source: https://hk-krasnodar.ru/prostata/kakova-svyaz-testosterona-i-prostatita

All about testosterone levels in men

Testosterone is the most prominent representative of steroid hormones (androgens).

Many scientific and semi-scientific publications are devoted to it, and its role in the male body is one of the favorite topics of discussion among doctors, athletes and even nutritionists.

Some believe that a high level of this hormone is the key to a full, healthy life for every man, while others warn about its hidden “treachery.”

What is “testosterone”: general information and aspects of its effect on the male body

Testosterone is a specific chemical substance, a sex hormone , which largely determines the quality of functioning of a man’s reproductive, nervous and cardiovascular systems .

It is synthesized primarily by the testes (Leydig cells), as well as by the adrenal cortex . The main constituent of the molecule is cholesterol . From 4 to 12 g of the hormone are produced per day.

The intensity of production is regulated by substances secreted by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

All testosterone circulating in the blood (total) is divided into 2 types:

• Carried by transport proteins , 60% of which is inaccessible due to connection with globulins. The rest - weakly bound (with albumin) - has a certain bioavailability, participates in a number of regulatory processes (for example, prevents fat deposition, controls skin greasiness);
• Free (not bound to proteins) – able to penetrate into target cells and have an anabolic or androgenic effect on them. The amount of testosterone of this type does not exceed 4%, but it is it that determines the formation of sexual characteristics and the degree of sexuality .

From free testosterone, with the participation of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase (located in the seminal vesicles, skin and prostate), its most active form, dihydrotestosterone, is formed. Excess of the hormone provokes excessive greasiness of the skin, acne, and prostate hypertrophy .

Aspects of the influence of testosterone on the male body:

1. Responsible for the development and functioning of the testicles, penis, seminal vesicles and prostate gland.
2. It is directly involved in the formation of secondary sexual characteristics: an increase in muscle volume, hair growth, formation and compaction of bone tissue.
3. Determines mood, character, libido level, fertility, voice timbre.
4. Affects the metabolism of carbohydrates, cholesterol and lipids.
5. Participates in the production of endorphins and insulin.

Men with high testosterone levels are more prone to aggression, uncontrollable outbursts of anger, and resentment. This effect of excess hormones often makes teenagers uncontrollable. Against the background of increased androgens, it is easier for a man to conceive a child, but his further behavior in terms of care and education often leaves much to be desired.

As for appearance, men of the androgenic type are characterized by an athletic body type, prominent and responsive muscles, and a low voice . They often have to deal with early signs of baldness and acne (especially on the face and back).

How high testosterone can harm you

Men with low testosterone have a tendency towards hoarding and excessive frugality . History shows that the overwhelming majority of eunuchs (castrati) were very prosperous.

Eunuchs were considered faithful servants and ideal intriguers. They often became “gray cardinals” under high-ranking persons.

Men with genetically low testosterone levels (such as the Japanese) have better developed taste buds, which makes them excellent tasters.

Experts still do not have a consensus on the connection between testosterone levels and baldness. Some believe that there is no direct correlation (based on the results of an analysis of medical records of balding men), others see a direct negative effect of dihydrotestosterone on hair loss.

Factors that determine hormone levels

Testosterone levels can be lowered from birth (due to genetic characteristics or pathologies), but in most cases the synthesis of the hormone is influenced by external factors:

• Physical exercise . Intense training against the background of energy deficiency caused by lack of nutrition and sleep leads to a decrease in the amount of the hormone. Moderate power loads with adequate replenishment of energy costs contribute to its increase. Long-term exhausting aerobic training can temporarily reduce the level of male hormone by 2 times;
• Excess weight . The structure of the testosterone molecule is very similar to estrogen (androgen antagonist) - the formulas differ in only one carbon atom. For this reason, the male hormone is easily converted into female hormone under the influence of the aromatase enzyme (actively produced by adipose tissue). The fatter a man is, the more testosterone inhibitors he has in his body;
• Severe stress , accompanied by a powerful release of cortisol, causes a short-term decrease in the male hormone, and chronic anxiety suppresses its synthesis for a long time, which provokes androgen deficiency;
• Bad habits . Intoxication with tobacco smoke and alcohol leads to disruption of the functioning of testicular tissue, as well as the liver, which is responsible for deactivating excess estrogen.

A decrease in testosterone is also observed in a number of pathologies:

1. Cardiovascular diseases.
2. Diabetes.
3. Cirrhosis of the liver.
4. Pathologies of the testicles, adrenal glands, pituitary gland or hypothalamus.
5. Hypertension.

To enlarge, click on the image

Often the cause of low testosterone is a lack of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) . Normally, the activity of this organ is regulated by the pituitary gland.

If the gland gets out of control due to the development of a tumor or other pathologies, the pituitary gland begins to work “for wear,” stimulating the synthesis of prolactin.

As a result, an imbalance occurs in the direction of increasing female hormones, which prevents the conversion of testosterone into the active form.

Some medications also have a suppressive effect on the production of male hormones, for example: drugs to lower blood pressure, diuretics, antidepressants, sleeping pills, antiandrogens.

Pathological excess of testosterone levels can be provoked by hyperthyroidism, steroid use, testicular and adrenal tumors. Frequent severe stress can cause persistently high levels of androgens (the body is constantly in a state of “combat readiness”).

Determination of hormone levels

Testosterone levels are determined in the laboratory by analyzing venous blood. One of the most accurate methods is electrochemiluminescent immunoassay (ECLIA) .

The unit of measurement is nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) or nanomoles per gram (nmol/g). Preparation for the procedure consists of abstaining from food and drinks (except water) until blood is drawn .

Since the biomaterial is given in the morning (preferably before 10 o’clock), the abstinence time will be 3-4 hours .

Total and free testosterone are of diagnostic value. The average norm of testosterone in men (the total amount of hormone in the absence of serious pathologies) ranges from 12 to 33 nmol/l , free - from 4.5 to 30.4 pg/ml (picograms per milliliter), bioactive - 3.5-12 nmol/l .

is also measured , defined as the ratio of the amount of unbound hormone to the volume of circulating globulin . For men aged 20 to 50 years, the value of this indicator varies from 24.5 to 113.3% , after 50 – from 19.3 to 118.4% .

• The price of a testosterone test starts from 600 rubles for determining the total amount of the hormone, from 1200 rubles for determining the level of free hormone .
• The normal testosterone levels used in clinics are shown in Table 1.
• Table 1. Reference values ​​for total testosterone depending on age category (nmol/l)

Age	Lower limit of normal	Upper limit of normal
Children from 1 to 7 years old	0,1	1,12
7-13	0,1	2,37
Teenagers 13-18	0,98	38,5
18-50	8,64	29
After 50	6,68	25,7

The spread of values ​​within adult age categories is quite large . This is due to differences in lifestyle, nutrition, and health. The general trend of age-related changes in the amount of testosterone in men is shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Changes in testosterone levels depending on age

Age	Level change (%)
20-30	Peak hormone levels
40	1.5-3 (free testosterone)
After 50	0.5-1.6 (total testosterone)
60-70	The amount of the hormone in free form is about 20% of the average level that was at 20 years old, in general form - 60%

LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) also play an important diagnostic role . Interpretation of the analyzes is given in Table 3.

Table 3. Determination of hormonal profile based on analysis of testosterone, LH, FSH levels

Testosterone total	LH and FSH	Interpretation of results
Norm	Norm	Without pathologies
Below normal	Norm	Normogonadotropic hypogonadism. Causes: obesity, metabolic syndrome, hyperprolactinemia
Below normal	Below normal	Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Causes: pathologies of the pituitary gland, hypothalamus
Below normal	Above normal	Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Causes: underdevelopment or diseases of the testicles
Above normal	Above normal	Presence of tumors that synthesize LH and FSH
Above normal	Below normal	Presence of tumors (testicular or adrenal glands) that synthesize androgens

The doctor who ordered the tests should interpret the research results . Independent interpretation using online services and attempts to correct hormonal levels can lead to irreparable consequences.

Before going to the doctor, you can independently take a test questionnaire for testosterone levels at home or purchase an express test at a pharmacy (rarely available over the counter).

To diagnose low testosterone levels at home, there is the most popular questionnaire - ADAM (Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males questionnaire) . It only takes 5-10 minutes to complete.

You can identify androgen deficiency by answering 10 short questions. For each, the answer is “yes” or “no”, after which the result will be shown to you.

The test is not 100% accurate. Question number 5, with a positive answer, most accurately characterizes a decrease in testosterone levels.

Adjustment methods

Methods for restoring hormonal levels depend on the diagnosis and the cause of the deviation .

You can increase your low testosterone levels in the following ways:

• Stimulation of the synthesis of own androgens by administering medications (chorionic gonadotropin);
• Administration of external testosterone (hormone replacement therapy). The deficiency of the hormone can be compensated for by injection, transdermal, sublingual (under the tongue) and oral types of drugs;
• Correction of hormonal levels through lifestyle changes (more moderate physical activity) and diet revision (less flour, fat and sweets, more fiber and protein).

You can improve the functioning of the gonads by taking vitamins for the production of testosterone (A, D, C, E, group B), zinc, selenium, magnesium . Minor deviations of androgens from the norm are successfully corrected with dietary supplements based on amino acids, extracts of horny weed, eurycoma, tribulus terrestris, and ginseng. More detailed information about ways to increase testosterone.

Natural plant-based products (dietary supplements). "Tribulus" (tribulus terrestris extract); "Inter-S Tribulustan Plus" (extracts of horny weed, ginger, fenugreek); “Icariin amino plus” (horny goat weed extract, amino acids); Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii extract).

Increased testosterone, in addition to a negative effect on a man’s appearance, can lead to testicular atrophy, cardiovascular pathologies, prostate adenoma, and thrombosis . To normalize the amount of the hormone, antiandrogenic drugs are prescribed (Finasteride, Carbamazepine) .

If testosterone is higher than normal, you should stop taking tonic supplements with icariin or tribulus, and reduce the amount of protein in the diet (you can partially replace natural meat with soy).

Tea with peppermint, an infusion of flax seeds, licorice or hops can slightly lower the level of the hormone and reduce the degree of aggressiveness and excitability.

Read more about how to lower testosterone levels if they exceed the norm.

Conclusion

The same degree of deviation of testosterone from the norm can affect men differently: some clearly experience problems with well-being, appearance and sex, while others do not note any significant changes in the quality of life.

Symptoms are largely determined by the cause of excess or deficiency of the hormone, so a one-time blood test may not be informative.

If there are deviations, doctors prescribe a dynamic study of the level of various types of testosterone in order to exclude a temporary factor (stress, overwork, dietary habits, abstinence).

Source: https://muzhchina.info/potencia/uroven-testosterona

Prostate adenoma and testosterone

Before considering the relationship between BPH and potency, let's find out what prostate adenoma is. This term hides a disease characterized by the proliferation of prostate cells. An adenoma is a benign tumor that forms in the prostate.

The disease is usually diagnosed in men over 50 years of age. This can be explained by the fact that at this age menopause occurs, that is, testosterone ceases to be produced in the required quantity.

During menopause, estradiol levels often increase. It is this hormone that has the ability to stimulate the growth and reproduction of prostate cells. Doctors also say that there are a number of factors that significantly increase the likelihood of developing BPH.

These factors are:

1. Hereditary predisposition.
2. Obesity.
3. Alcohol abuse and smoking.
4. Passive lifestyle.
5. Prostatitis.
6. Unbalanced diet.
7. The presence of chronic diseases of the genitourinary, endocrine or cardiovascular systems.

There are 3 stages of prostate adenoma according to severity. The severity of clinical manifestations will directly depend on the location and size of the benign neoplasm.

Characteristic symptoms of BPH are frequent urge to urinate, pain in the perineum, constipation, pain in the testicles, increased body temperature, weakness, apathy, painful urination, intermittent stream syndrome. Also, prostate adenoma is accompanied by the appearance of blood in the ejaculate, lower back pain, decreased libido and potency.

Reasons for increased PSA in prostate adenoma and acceptable PSA values

A substance called prostate specific antigen (PSA protein) is produced by certain cells in the prostate gland. It is needed to liquefy sperm. Most PSA is found in semen, but a very small amount is found in the blood in a free and bound state.

The PSA test for prostate adenoma measures the amount of the substance in the blood and helps the doctor determine whether a patient has signs of prostate cancer.

Some diseases (prostatitis or a malignant tumor localized in the prostate) can also cause an increase in PSA.

Until recently, an annual total and free PSA test was recommended for anyone over the age of 50.

Now many doctors do not approve of such testing for two reasons.

• Some tumors grow so slowly that they do not seriously threaten the health of an older person. And the consequences of treatment after early diagnosis, including surgery or radiation, can cause more harm to health than the disease itself.
• The PSA test for prostate adenoma is also prone to false positives. Test results can often give rise to unnecessary suspicions about a health condition or, conversely, reassure you if there is a problem.

Although the PSA level for prostate adenoma is an important part of the diagnosis, it cannot provide an accurate diagnosis on its own. If PSA values ​​for prostate adenoma are high, your doctor may recommend a biopsy.

“Bad” and “good” results of a PSA blood test for prostate adenoma depend on the age of the patient.

Norm (in nanograms per milliliter):

• in 40-49 year olds - 2.5;
• for 50-59 year olds - 3.5;
• in 60-69 year olds - 4.5;
• for 70-79 year olds – 6.5.

Frequent questions that patients ask urologists:

• Increased PSA level in prostate adenoma - what to do? It is advisable to undergo other tests (prostate biopsy). This procedure is minimally invasive and safe and is performed on an outpatient basis.
• Is PSA 96 too much for prostate adenoma? What about PSA 18? The normal PSA concentration is up to 4 ng/ml. PSA values ​​above 40 ng/ml may indicate a form of prostate cancer with metastases. Values ​​between 10 and 20 ng/ml indicate a high risk of prostate cancer.
• What is the relationship between PSA and the size of prostate adenoma? The higher the level of this protein according to test results, the more enlarged the prostate gland is.

The first signs of the development of prostate adenoma in men and signs of progressive adenoma

If levels of the male sex hormone testosterone are too high, the risk of developing cancer increases. If it is too low, there is a higher risk of developing an adenoma.

Since testosterone production decreases with age, it can be argued that the entire male population of the globe is doomed to prostate adenoma - it is genetically programmed.

But for some, the disease begins at 40 years old, and for others at 80.

There is an opinion that high testosterone levels can also contribute to the development of prostatitis. But prostatitis is a multifactorial disease, that is, it is contributed to by a lot of reasons. Therefore, the connection between prostatitis and the amount of testosterone in the body is difficult to trace.

There are very effective drugs, but they are not cheap. If a person takes these medications for life and they help him, then you can forget about the operation. However, a lot depends on age. If a 45-year-old man has an adenoma that interferes with his life (the symptoms are quite pronounced), then he will have to spend money on treatment in order to make his life bright and eventful.

At stage 2 of the disease, the volume of the prostate can reach 55-60 cm3. In these cases, long-term medication may be necessary. Progressive prostate adenoma cannot be cured with folk remedies.

At stage 3, the prostate, whose volume exceeds 60 cm3, compresses the rectum and can grow inside it. Deformation of the lymph nodes occurs, which leads to swelling of the limbs. Surgery to remove BPH, such as laser removal of prostate adenoma, is necessary.

The first signs of prostate adenoma in men at stages 1-2 may be:

• feeling of residual fluid in the bladder;
• frequent urination day and night;
• periodic stops during urination;
• a strong desire to urinate as soon as the urge arises;
• sluggish stream of urine;
• difficulty starting to urinate.

Signs of prostate adenoma in men, if not paid attention to, can lead to chronic BPH and cause the following complications:

• weakening of the bladder muscles;
• stones inside the bladder;
• prostate cyst;
• bladder infection or bleeding;

The connection between testosterone and prostate adenoma:

• Research shows that testosterone, the male sex hormone, or dihydrotestosterone, which is formed from testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, can lead to rapid growth of prostate cells.
• Another theory is that changes in the ratio of testosterone to estrogen (the female hormone) as men age cause prostate tissue to grow.

According to the results of most studies, no differences in the content of plasma prolactin in prostate adenoma compared with the norm were identified.

How is prostate adenoma diagnosed: differential diagnosis, benefits of ultrasound and MRI of prostate adenoma

Diagnosis of prostate adenoma begins with a history and physical examination of the patient. The doctor palpates the lower abdomen to check if the bladder is enlarged due to retained urine.

Then comes the stage of digital rectal examination of the patient to check the size and consistency of the prostate.

Finding hard areas in the prostate suggests the presence of cancer.

In order to make sure that problems with urine outflow and other symptoms are caused precisely by adenomatous proliferation of the paraurethral glands, and not by another cause (for example, urethral stricture or kidney stones, multiple sclerosis), a differential diagnosis of prostate adenoma is needed.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with prostate adenoma pictures

It is diagnosed based on the following diagnostic methods:

• A urine test is a test for inflammation in the urinary tract.
• Test for the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. This substance is a tumor marker for prostate adenoma, that is, its significant levels indicate tissue damage to the prostate and the possible presence of cancer in this area. Cancer cannot be diagnosed based on a PSA test alone.
• Ultrasound of prostate adenoma. It is performed in the same way as palpation of the prostate, namely transrectally (that is, through the rectum). The purpose of the study is to learn about the size of the prostate lobes, the state of its functioning elements and the amount of residual urine (the norm is up to 25 ml).
• MRI of prostate adenoma. It is done in clinics in Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, Minsk, Nizhny Novgorod and other large cities to assess the degree of prostate cancer, identify pathological growth and defects of the prostate, as well as diseases such as adenoma at an early and chronic stage, and prostatitis. Preparation for an MRI includes an enema (if the procedure is performed with a transrectal probe) and avoidance of heavy food 12 hours before the examination. High-resolution images of the prostate with a 3.0 Tesla MRI allow the doctor to know about any structural abnormalities.
• If prostate cancer is suspected, a biopsy of the prostate adenoma is prescribed. According to doctors, this is the only reliable way to determine whether there are cancer cells in the prostate.
• Cystoscopy is an examination of the bladder neck and urethra using fiber optics.

Radionuclide methods are not used to diagnose BPH.

Is it possible to talk about using some alternative methods of treating adenoma?

Both conservative and surgical treatment are possible. Treatment methods are dictated by the patient’s condition – individually. For example, drug treatment is widely used - there are alpha-blocker drugs that relieve the symptoms of adenoma.

It is possible to increase potency in prostate adenoma only if you prevent further cell proliferation and normalize the functioning of the prostate gland. There are two ways to solve the problem - conservative treatment or surgery.

Conservative therapy is prescribed if the tumor size is small. Alpha-1 blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are used to treat prostate adenoma.

Alpha-1 blockers relax the smooth muscles of the prostate, bladder and prostatic urethra. As a result, the patient’s urine output is normalized, pain and the urge to urinate at night disappear. The best alpha-1 adrenergic blockers are Doxazosin, Alfuzosin, Cardura, Flomax, Omnic, Zoxon, Omnic Ocas.

5-alpha reductase inhibitors block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, thereby preventing the growth of pancreatic cells. Long-term use of these medications helps not only prevent cell proliferation, but also reduce the size of the tumor. The best drugs in this group are Finasteride, Avodart, Penester, Finast, Proscar.

If the tumor is large or conservative therapy does not help, surgery is prescribed. Today, adenoma is treated using the following procedures:

1. Prostatectomy. The idea is to remove the prostate lobes along with the tumor. The operation is effective, but requires long-term rehabilitation.
2. Laser vaporization. If this method is chosen, then BPH is removed using laser radiation. The laser passes through a catheter, which is inserted into the urethra.
3. Cryodestruction. The essence of this operation is simple - the prostate adenoma is treated with liquid nitrogen. Under the influence of this compound, prostate cells “freeze” and die.
4. Embolization of prostate arteries. The newest and most expensive method. It features the highest efficiency. Embolization is an operation in which spherical products made of medical plastic are inserted into the prostate arteries. These “balls” clog the arterioles, as a result of which the pancreas tissue does not receive nutrition and dies.

And if a man does not want to undergo surgery, what medications can slow down the development of the disease?

Everything is decided individually with each patient. If the gland is more than 80 cubic centimeters, then open surgery is performed. If the size of the adenoma is up to 80 cubic centimeters, so-called transurethral resection of the prostate gland can be performed. Resection can be compared to the action of a burning device, only they burn not wood, but living adenoma tissue.

In this procedure, thin needles are inserted into the prostate. They are exposed to a short-term high temperature. In this case, tissue necrosis occurs, which is less severe than with transurethral resection.

The fabric does not ultimately burn, but gradually breaks down and comes out. Several punctures are made at a time - 5-6 on each side. This manipulation is performed on an outpatient basis. That is, you don’t have to lie in a hospital bed: you talked to the doctors and went home.

Unfortunately, this method is not yet widely available due to its high cost.

And if a man does not want to undergo surgery, what medications can slow down the development of the disease?

Chronic prostatitis can be treated with various drugs that are made on the basis of testosterone. Many of them are safe and effective.

Traditionally, therapy is carried out using:

• tablets;
• solutions for injections;
• plasters;
• gels.

The doctor must independently select the most appropriate treatment option, taking into account the characteristics of the disease and the patient’s preferences.

Pills

Oral administration is possible for patients with mild hormone deficiency. There are several types of drugs that are taken orally in the form of tablets.

Testosterone undecanoate is found in:

• Andriole;
• Virigene;
• Anroksone;
• Nuvira;
• Pantestone.

These tablets and capsules are prescribed infrequently, as they do not provide a pronounced effect in case of hormone deficiency.

Therapy can be carried out with the help of methyltestosterone (Androral, Methandren, Testoral). However, these drugs cause severe side effects.

In case of pronounced hormone deficiency, decreased potency and infertility, treatment is carried out with the help of Proviron, which contains mesterolone. The product quickly restores testosterone levels in the body. Among the contraindications for use are cancerous tumors of the prostate gland and liver.

Injections

Solutions for intramuscular injections are based on an oil solution. In this case, testosterone is released much more slowly, which causes its effects to last longer.

Therapy is also carried out using testosterone enanthate and cypionate. The weekly dosage is 100 mg. 5 days after administration of the solution, the maximum level of the hormone in the blood is observed. Complete removal occurs after two weeks.

A new product in the field of pharmacology is Nebido (testosterone undecanoate). It is capable of increasing the amount of the hormone for a long time. The patient is given two doses of 1000 mg over six weeks. After this, injections are indicated every 12 weeks.

Plasters and gels

In case of hormone deficiency, transdermal therapy is performed using patches and gels. They are used daily. In this case, maximum efficiency can be achieved.

The patient is advised to use 5–10 mg of the active substance per day. Due to this effect, it is possible to stably maintain testosterone levels throughout the entire period.

However, the drugs have significant local side effects. Irritation often appears on the surface of the skin. But when using gels, such a reaction is observed only if the components are intolerant.

Only a doctor can prescribe medications after testing. If a lack of testosterone is detected, the optimal form of the drug is selected individually for each patient.

Source: https://infernal-cs.ru/adenoma-predstatelnoy-zhelezy-i-test/

The effect of prostatitis on testosterone levels

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate tissue associated with a sedentary lifestyle, hypothermia, and promiscuity in sexual relations. Scientists have proven that prostatitis and testosterone are interconnected. In the prostate, the male sex hormone is converted into a more active form.

Prostate functions

The prostate gland performs the following functions:

• production of prostatic juice;
• participates in the release of ejaculate;
• affects hormonal levels.

Changes in the hormonal balance in the male body significantly affect the functioning of the prostate. During puberty, the size of the gland increases, which persists for a long period.

With age, benign or malignant enlargement of the gland is observed. At the same time, the tissue becomes inflamed, and testosterone levels increase with prostatitis. Scientists believe that prostate enlargement is associated with low androgen levels.

The process in question can lead to an imbalance between the appearance of new cells and the death of old cells. Low testosterone levels with prostatitis contribute to the development of prostate hypertrophy or hyperplasia.

Low testosterone levels with prostatitis contribute to the development of prostate adenoma

The influence of the inflammatory process on the hormone value

The inflammatory process negatively affects the functionality of the gland. The resulting scars interfere with normal blood supply. This causes pain in the genitals. Causes of low testosterone in prostatitis:

• psychological impact - pain during erection and dysuric disorder affect the emotional state of a man. At the same time, hormone production decreases;
• the effect of the inflammatory process - with chronic prostatitis, inflammation spreads to surrounding tissues. The disease is accompanied by the appearance of adhesions in the ducts. At the same time, there is increased production of estrogen and low production of testosterone. It is possible that the hormone level will increase.

The cause of hormonal imbalance is problems of humoral regulation. The inflammatory process, calcifications, the appearance of scars and adhesions are catalysts for hormonal imbalance.

Drug therapy

The connection between the inflammatory process in the gland and testosterone has not been fully established. This is explained by the fact that the pathology can be diagnosed in young men. After diagnosis, it turns out that the level of the hormone in the blood is normal. But prostatitis itself continues to indirectly influence its meaning.

Read also: Prostatitis and the choice of antibiotics for its treatment

Due to inflammation, the substance that precedes testosterone is not able to convert into dihydrotestosterone. Therefore, the inflammatory process can lead to potency.

Against the background of low levels of male hormone, adenoma develops. Therefore, it is recommended to take medications for prostatitis with low testosterone. With their help, independent or complex treatment is carried out. For chronic prostatitis, monotherapy is used to increase libido. With this treatment, no changes in erectile function are observed. The following symptoms appear:

• feeling of nocturnal erections;
• rapid hair growth;
• increase in body weight.

Testosterone-based drugs can improve sexual function

With the help of testosterone-based drugs for prostatitis, it is possible to preserve the secondary sexual clinical picture, improving sexual function.

Forms of drugs

There are different medicinal forms of testosterone on the pharmaceutical market. Their effectiveness and safety have been proven by multiple clinical trials. Means that normalize testosterone levels in prostatitis include:

• pills;
• intramuscular injections;
• medications for trans- and subdermal use.

The drugs of the latter group have a short effect, so they are prescribed at the late stage of hypogonadism. Hormonal therapy is carried out after laboratory and instrumental studies.

Effective oral medications include Andriol. This drug is well absorbed by the male body, but quickly disintegrates in the liver. Therefore, it is not able to adequately maintain the required level of the hormone.

Methyltestosterone and other 17-alpha-alkylated derivatives of the male hormone are highly resistant to liver enzymes. But their use is limited due to hepatotoxicity.

Injection therapy

Due to the esterification effect, scientists developed a hydrophobic molecule of the male hormone, which made it possible to prolong the effects of the drugs. When the injection solution is administered, a slow release of molecules is observed, which causes a prolonged effect of the medication.

But before deciding whether it is possible to inject testosterone for prostatitis, it is recommended to consult a urologist. The form of the drug, which lowers or increases the value of the hormone, depends on the cause of the development of prostatitis and the clinical manifestations.

Testosterone injections Cypionate and Enanthate have similar pharmacokinetic properties. In case of their overdose, the value of estradiol and DHT increases. The daily dosage of injections should not exceed 100 mg per week. Testosterone Enanthate is administered once every 3 weeks.

The maximum concentration of the hormone is observed on the 5th day after administration of the solution. The initial value of the indicator is detected on the 14th day after the first injection.

The advantages of the above remedies include low cost and the ability to achieve high concentrations of testosterone in the blood.

The disadvantages include pain at the injection site and the need for frequent consultations with the attending physician regarding repeated injections.

The patient may be prescribed a new parenteral form of testosterone - Nebido, with which a long-term and sustained high level of the hormone is achieved. The first two dosages are administered 6 weeks apart.

Sometimes the interval between injections increases to 14 weeks.

Injections administered intramuscularly are developed on the basis of an oil solution. In such cases, testosterone is released slowly, but its effects last longer. If the functioning of the gonads is impaired, the patient is prescribed Propionate. Contraindications to its use are prostate cancer.

If the patient is injected with Cypionate or Enanthate, then after 5 days of treatment the maximum value of the hormone will be observed. Complete withdrawal of the drug takes 2 weeks. Modern urology treats prostatitis, which is accompanied by testosterone deficiency, using the drug Undecanoate.

It helps to increase the hormone for a long period. The man is given a double dose over 6 weeks. Then the injection is given once every 12 weeks. After completion of therapy, a repeat laboratory test is performed.

If any abnormalities are detected, a comprehensive examination is prescribed and adequate therapy is selected.

Read also: Methods for diagnosing prostate inflammation

Source: http://o-prostate.ru/vliyanie-prostatita-na-uroven-testosterona

Testosterone, prostate gland and everything in between

Dr. Moshe Shalev

Urology Department, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba; Faculty of Medicine named after. Sackler, Tel Aviv University

Summary

Starting from the age of 40, the level of testosterone in a man’s blood serum decreases, on average, by 1% annually.

With age, its deficiency occurs, leading to the emergence of a system of symptoms united by the concept of late onset hypogonadism (LOH), also known as testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS).

Many studies have been conducted showing that the administration of testosterone to men who have TDS facilitates the treatment of these diseases and, moreover, that it can even prevent the occurrence of these diseases and improve the quality of life.

Contrary to this, due to stereotypes that have formed over the years without any scientific justification, there is great hesitation among doctors regarding the use of testosterone in older men out of fear that it may lead to prostate hypertrophy and symptoms of lower urinary tract blockage, increased levels of prostate specific antigen glands (Prostate Specific Antigen, PSA) in the blood serum and the occurrence of prostate cancer.

In this article we will review the medical literature proving that there is no basis for such concerns.

However, out of caution, it is still recommended that all patients receiving testosterone treatment undergo systematic testing to determine serum testosterone and PSA levels and imaging examinations for the early detection of malignancy if it develops in the prostate gland.

Introduction Testosterone is the main male sex hormone responsible for the development of many organs in the embryonic period, including, of course, the genitals, including the prostate gland, as well as the emergence of secondary sexual characteristics.

Testosterone is synthesized in the testicles by Leydig cells under the influence of luteinizing hormone (Luteinizing Hormone, LH), which is formed in the pituitary gland (Pituitary Gland).

Most likely, there is also a direct influence of the hypothalamus on Leydig cells through a peptide called ghrelin.

Testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are the main androgens that play an important role in the formation of the male phenotype. Hormones with androgenic effects are also released by the adrenal glands, but their quantity is small and they have a very weak effect.

Estrogen and dihydrotestosterone, in contrast, cannot travel back to testosterone.

The concentration of DHT in the prostate gland is five times higher than the concentration of testosterone and is 5 ng/g tissue wet weight. The prostate gland responds to hormonal changes that occur in a man’s body throughout his life.

During puberty, the gland undergoes a process of rapid increase in size; subsequently, its volume remains constant; in many cases, during the aging process of a man, a benign enlargement or malignant change in the prostate gland occurs.

These processes in the gland occur gradually, along with a slow and gradual decrease in androgen levels and a relative increase in estrogens in the peripheral blood during aging.

To explain this phenomenon, a theory was developed according to which a decrease in androgen levels causes the prostate gland to “starve” for these hormones.

In order to maintain appropriate androgen levels, increased genetic activity in terms of protein synthesis develops to increase the concentration of androgen receptors in prostate tissue.

The described processes can lead to a lack of genetic stability, upset the balance between the emergence of new cells and the process of their apoptosis and lead to hypertrophy (HPE) and hyperplasia (HPH) of the prostate gland and the development of malignant processes.

Starting at the age of 40, testosterone levels in a man's blood decrease by an average of 1% annually.

This decrease is the result of a decrease in the number of Leydig cells in the testes, as well as a decrease in the sensitivity of these cells to the influence of luteinizing hormone (LH).

As a result, the phenomenon of biochemical hypogonadism develops, which is detected in approximately 10% of men under 60 years of age, and the frequency of the phenomenon increases to above 35% among men over 60.

The decrease in testosterone concentrations is accompanied by an increase in the level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which binds free testosterone. These processes are accompanied by a decrease in the response to testosterone from target organs: brain, bones, prostate and muscle tissue.

This decrease is caused by changes in the structure of receptors for androgenic compounds. As a result, the amount of testosterone available for active processes is significantly reduced. This decline in testosterone levels results in many of the symptoms associated with the aging process.

These symptoms include: decreased muscle mass and raw muscle strength, decreased hair growth and skin thickness, back pain and osteoporosis, increased visceral adipose tissue, increased breast size, mood changes, hot flashes, night sweats, addiction to depression and decreased activity, weakened libido and sexual function, increased frequency of urination and a feeling of urgency of urination - symptoms of the lower urinary tract (Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, LUTS).

There is also a relationship between low testosterone levels and the development of heart and blood vessel diseases, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and type II diabetes.

Therefore, in the presence of all of these chronic phenomena, it is necessary to determine the profile of androgenic hormones, especially if the mentioned diseases are accompanied by a weakening of libido and sexual function.

• Many studies have shown that the addition of testosterone to the treatment of this category of patients and, in particular, in the presence of persistent type II diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome, in the treatment of decreased sexual desire and sexual function plays a significant role in alleviating symptoms.
• However, despite the accumulation of numerous studies demonstrating the effectiveness of testosterone treatment, there is still considerable hesitancy among physicians regarding the use of testosterone as a therapeutic supplement in the treatment of patients who have decreased levels of testosterone in the peripheral blood.
• These doubts stem from concerns that testosterone may lead to the development of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and thereby increase the symptoms of lower urinary tract blockage (LUTS), which are often observed in old age, and/or may increase the risk of malignancy. prostate gland.

Source: https://is-med.com/publ/14-1-0-161