This book describes recent findings on androgens. The chapters include information on physiological and pathological conditions such as alteration in testosterone production by Leydig cells, prostate cancer, and metabolic disorders. Moreover, this book refers to the potential use of androgens in assisted human reproduction treatments and bovine breeding. Since each chapter contains background information based on evidence and emphasizes basic science, this book is aimed at professionals who already have a basic understanding of the principles of androgen biochemistry and endocrine-related diseases.
New developments in testosterone therapy are summarized here by internationally renowned experts. They review both basic and clinical knowledge in fourteen chapters. The book begins with the biochemistry of testosterone, its biosynthesis, metabolism and mechanisms of action in target organs. Three chapters deal with specific aspects of testosterone action, namely its role in spermatogenesis, its psychotropic effects and its effects on bones. Syndromes caused by androgen resistance are described in order to highlight the importance of properly functioning enzymes and receptors in the target organs. Causes and symptoms of male hypogonadism, the major indication for testosterone treatment, are described. Five chapters are devoted to the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and clinical uses and abuses of testosterone preparations. The new transdermal testosterone application is described in detail. Side effects of testosterone treatment are reviewed. The possible role of androgens in the development of prostatic hypertrophy and carcinoma is discussed extensively since this question is of major concern to the clinician.
Popular culture often equates testosterone with virility, strength, and the macho male physique. Viewed by some as an "antiaging tonic," testosterone's reputation and increased use by men of all ages in the United States have outpaced the scientific evidence about its potential benefits and risks. In particular there has been growing concern about an increase in the number of middle-aged and older men using testosterone and the lack of scientific data on the effect it may have on aging males. Studies of testosterone replacement therapy in older men have generally been of short duration, involving small numbers of participants and often lacking adequate controls. Testosterone and Aging weighs the options of future research directions, examines the risks and benefits of testosterone replacement therapy, assesses the potential public health impact of such therapy in the United States, and considers ethical issues related to the conduct of clinical trials. Testosterone therapy remains an attractive option to many men even as speculation abounds regarding its potential.
*** RECOMMENDED AS ONE OF THE TIMES' BEST SCIENCE BOOKS OF 2021 'With all the talk about testosterone in sex, sports and politics, we need a good explanation of the science and its implications, and this one is outstanding.' STEVEN PINKER, bestselling author of The Blank Slate 'There are whole books written about the idea that behavioural sex differences are a societal construct and how a male hormone we know influences animal behaviour somehow doesn't influence us. Hooven's book is a riposte to that silliness - and also a defence of a hormone that isn't just about aggression.' TOM WHIPPLE, THE TIMES, BEST SCIENCE BOOKS OF 2021 'Fascinating, vital, unputdownable.' JULIE BINDEL 'The definitive book on testosterone . . . A brave and significant book . . . simply fascinating and filled with extraordinary facts.' EVENING STANDARD 'Testosterone does what all superb popular science must do: it entertains as it educates.' THE WALL STREET JOURNAL Through riveting personal stories and the latest research, Harvard evolutionary biologist Carole Hooven shows how testosterone drives the behaviour of the sexes apart and how understanding the science behind this hormone is empowering for all. The biological source of masculinity has inspired fascination, investigation and controversy since antiquity. From the eunuchs in the royal courts of ancient China to the booming market for 'elixirs' of youth in nineteenth-century Europe, humans have been obsessed with identifying and manipulating what we now know as testosterone. And the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Thanks to this history and the methods of modern science, today we have a rich body of research about testosterone's effects in both men and women. The science is clear: testosterone is a major, invisible player in our relationships, sex lives, athletic abilities, childhood play, gender transitions, parenting roles, violent crime, and so much more. But there is still a lot of pushback to the idea that it does, in fact, contribute to sex differences and significantly influence behaviour. Hooven argues that acknowledging testosterone as a potent force in society doesn't reinforce stifling gender norms or patriarchal values. Testosterone and evolution work together to produce a huge variety of human behaviour, and that includes a multitude of ways to be masculine and feminine. Understanding the science sheds light on how we work and relate to one another, how we express anger and love, and how we fight bias and problematic behaviour to build a fairer society.
"Dr. Morgentaler, an internationally recognized expert in sexual medicine and male hormones, shares his secrets for a healthy life." --Irwin Goldstein, M.D., Director of Sexual Medicine, Alvarado Hospital, San Diego, and Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Sexual Medicine "A highly valuable resource. Finally debunks many of the myths about testosterone's safety, which has been an impediment to its appropriate usage for far too long." --David E. Greenberg, M.D., President, Canadian Society for the Study of the Aging Male From a Harvard doctor and a leading expert on testosterone--the groundbreaking book that shows you how to raise your testosterone levels--and live your life to the fullest Better sex. Increased vitality. More muscle. Improved health. Greater mental agility. These are just a few of the life-enhancing benefits that men with low levels of testosterone can experience when they increase their testosterone level. If you've noticed a decrease in your sex drive; experienced erectile dysfunction; or felt tired, depressed, and unmotivated, this authoritative, up-to-date guide from an expert at Harvard Medical School will help you determine if you have low testosterone--a surprisingly common but frequently undiagnosed condition among middle-aged men. Learn how to: Recognize the symptoms of low testosterone Diagnose the problem with simple tests Find the treatment that's right for you Explore options your doctor might not know about Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity
Even though research on testosterone is increasing, there is still much controversy regarding its physiology and clinical use. This book provides a broad overview on testosterone, from its basic features to the most recent evidence of clinical applicability. In addition, specific conditions in which testosterone play a pivotal role are discussed in detail, such as hypogonadism, misuse and abuse, puberty, cardiovascular effects and testosterone therapy. The testes are vital organs for reproduction of the human species, besides being the main source of testosterone production in men. Although not essential for survival, these singular structures represent the essence of male biological function. Testosterone is the most important testicular androgen in men. Low serum testosterone levels are associated with cardiovascular morbidity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and mortality. Also, there is increasing evidence that serum testosterone is a major biomarker status of men's health in general. Hypogonadism in a male refers to a decrease in one or both of the two major functions of the testes: sperm production or testosterone production. These abnormalities can result from disease of the testes (primary hypogonadism) or disease of the pituitary or hypothalamus (secondary hypogonadism). Currently, the clinical features of male hypogonadism are sufficiently well-recognized, the causes are well-known, and the tests of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis are accurate enough for the diagnosis in most patients. Testosterone, the focus hormone of this book, is used in different forms and routes of administration. Several authors unravel its peculiarities and assist in choosing the most suitable form in each case, as well as the possible risks of its misuse or even abuse in men and women, seeking alternatives to help patients in this situation.
"The Secret Female Hormone is a must read for women today! Hormones should always be evaluated in unity, and testosterone is almost always overlooked. The authors tell the truth about how hormone imbalances truly affect women - not only their energy, their vitality and their libido but also their family relationships and self-esteem. This book will be a resource for women for years to come!" - Marcelle Pick, author of Is It Me or My Hormones? and The Core Balance Diet Leading experts show why testosterone hormone imbalance could be the vital connecting factor in a wide variety of health issues for women in midlife. You know the experiences all too well. You can’t sleep, so you start your day feeling exhausted. Seemingly overnight, you can’t remember names, places, appointments—things you could previously recite at the drop of a hat. You want to be more active, but you have zero energy for that. And sex? Forget it! By now, you’ve probably been told this is "normal," or that it’s the "natural" course of aging. And you might even believe it, because so many women approaching midlife have the exact same symptoms. In fact, millions of women worldwide are undiagnosed and untreated for hormone imbalance deficiency. As one of the country’s leading experts on hormonal balance—and as a woman who experienced these symptoms herself—Dr. Kathy Maupin has identified a debilitating and overlooked health condition: testosterone deficiency syndrome, or TDS. Most people associate testosterone with men, but it’s one of the most vital hormones in women, and one of the first hormones that women begin to lose as they enter their 40s. And Dr. Maupin’s own research has shown that the symptoms of aging—fatigue, memory loss, moodiness, low libido, and so much more—are initiated and accelerated by testosterone loss. In this book, Dr. Maupin and therapist Brett Newcomb show how testosterone replacement can radically improve your life. They share the history and background of hormone replacement therapy, the latest research on treatment options, as well as: • Tips for dealing with mood swings, changes in sex drive, and maintaining healthy relationships • Surprising information on the long-term effects and health risks of testosterone loss • Common myths and misconceptions regarding estrogen and testosterone replacement therapy • Questionnaires to help you determine your individual hormone deficiencies • Real stories and personal experiences Dr. Maupin’s patients share clear, practical, and easy-to-use, this authoritative guide sheds light on the importance of testosterone and will help you reclaim your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
An Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal Winner A Progressive Book of the Year A TechCrunch Favorite Read of the Year “Deeply researched and thoughtful.” —Nature “An extended exercise in myth busting.” —Outside “A critique of both popular and scientific understandings of the hormone, and how they have been used to explain, or even defend, inequalities of power.” —The Observer Testosterone is a familiar villain, a ready culprit for everything from stock market crashes to the overrepresentation of men in prisons. But your testosterone level doesn’t actually predict your appetite for risk, sex drive, or athletic prowess. It isn’t the biological essence of manliness—in fact, it isn’t even a male sex hormone. So what is it, and how did we come to endow it with such superhuman powers? T’s story begins when scientists first went looking for the chemical essence of masculinity. Over time, it provided a handy rationale for countless behaviors—from the boorish to the enviable. Testosterone focuses on what T does in six domains: reproduction, aggression, risk-taking, power, sports, and parenting, addressing heated debates like whether high-testosterone athletes have a natural advantage as well as disagreements over what it means to be a man or woman. “This subtle, important book forces rethinking not just about one particular hormone but about the way the scientific process is embedded in social context.” —Robert M. Sapolsky, author of Behave “A beautifully written and important book. The authors present strong and persuasive arguments that demythologize and defetishize T as a molecule containing quasi-magical properties, or as exclusively related to masculinity and males.” —Los Angeles Review of Books “Provides fruitful ground for understanding what it means to be human, not as isolated physical bodies but as dynamic social beings.” —Science
The decade that has passed since publication of the second edition of this textbook has not only witnessed a tremendous increase in knowledge within the ? eld of and- logy, but also seen the ? eld itself achieve a newfound status within the medical p- fession. Knowledge and status have been of mutual bene? t to the ? eld and the growing critical mass of diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities have caused andrology to be recognized as a medical subspecialty in some countries such as Germany, Poland, and Estonia. The European Academy of Andrology (EAA) served as a pacemaker for this development and continues to strive for establishment of andrology as a clinical ? eld. Well-designed curricula and qualifying examinations have contributed to the of? cial recognition of andrology as a speciality. This recognition of the ? eld helps patients with andrological problems to ? nd the specialist they seek. This textbook summarizes the current state of knowledge in the ? eld of andrology. It is a source of knowledge to all those who are or want to become andrologists. In addition, as andrology is clearly an interdisciplinary ? eld, this book may serve as a compendium and source of reference for all those physicians and biologists active in neighboring areas, who want to obtain an overview of andrology and who require information on special problems. The extensive references are timely and up to date.
