In men, the use of testosterone to treat depression is debated. A new analysis supports it.
For years, the use of testosterone to treat depression in men has been debated. To try to see more clearly, researchers decided to compile the results of studies conducted on the issue, which are sometimes contradictory.
A “moderate antidepressant” effect
Conclusion: they concluded that testosterone had a “moderate antidepressant” effect compared to the placebo, and that this beneficial effect was more pronounced when the doses were higher. The less depressed men benefited the most from this treatment. There was no relationship between treatment benefit and baseline testosterone levels. The analysis also showed no difference between younger and older men; all age groups had a similar level of response to treatment.
As a neuroactive steroid, testosterone can influence mood in men, hence its antidepressant potential. “Testosterone treatment appears to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms in men, particularly when higher dosage regimens were applied in carefully selected samples,” the researchers conclude.
Alternative treatments
27 randomized clinical trials were included in the analysis, resulting in a total of 1890 participants. The researchers aimed to “examine the association of testosterone treatment with the relief of depressive symptoms in men and to clarify the moderating effects of age, duration of treatment and dosage”.
If we are looking for alternative treatments to those that already exist, it is because many people are insensitive to current antidepressants, or only feel the undesirable effects. Currently, testosterone is not prescribed to treat depression.
Three out of four suicides are committed by men
Depression is the most common psychiatric illness and affects all ages. In France, it is estimated that nearly one person in five has suffered or will suffer from depression during their lifetime. The prevalence of depression in France increased by 1.8 points between 2010 and 2017, according to a recent report by Public Health France, particularly among women (+3 points), 35-44 year olds (+4 points) , the unemployed (+5 points) and people on low incomes (+3 points). In Europe, depression severely affects males. Three out of four suicides are committed by men, leading to one disappearance every minute.
9 criteria from the DSM-5
Feeling sad, tired and lacking motivation can be part of a negative emotional state in any given context. Whether it is due to overwork at work, the loss of a loved one, a separation or accumulating fatigue, the symptoms of depression are not part of a psychiatric illness to strictly speaking.
To make the difference, it is important to rely on the 9 criteria from the DSM-5 (5thedition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association), namely apermanent sadness; aanhedonia (loss of the sensation of pleasure);sleep disorders such as insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleep); ano weight gain or loss; an psychomotor retardation; adon’t get tired; an feeling of worthlessness anddark thoughts or suicidal thoughts. Having had all these symptoms for more than 2 weeks is not insignificant and requires the advice of a psychiatrist or a doctor.
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