ABSTRACT
Uno de los aspectos más importantes de la vida del varón es su capacidad para desarrollar una actividad sexual normal; su pérdida siempre ha sido considerada como un acontecimiento de especial trascendencia. La relación entre la actividad sexual y otras características masculinas con los testículos es un hecho conocido desde los más remotos tiempos y se ha relacionado con el descenso lento de la secreción de testosterona que se produce con la edad avanzada. Este hipogonadismo del varón es una de las más frecuentes e infradiagnosticadas endocrinopatías. Para denominar las situaciones clínicas motivadas por el declinar de la función gonadal en el varón en relación con la edad, se han propuesto diversos términos, y el que parece más universalmente aceptado hoy en día es hipogonadismo de inicio tardío (HIT). Se trata de un síndrome clínico y bioquímico asociado a la edad avanzada (del varón), caracterizado por síntomas típicos y disminución de las concentraciones de testosterona sérica, que puede afectar a múltiples órganos y sistemas y puede deteriorar la calidad de vida. Este síndrome puede ser tratado y se pueden recuperar las alteraciones producidas por él. Para ello es necesario un protocolo diagnóstico que aborde multitud de aspectos relacionados con los riesgos y beneficios del tratamiento (AU)
One of the most important elements in men's live is the ability to engage in normal sexual activity; loss of this activity has always been considered especially important. The relationship between sexual activity, as well as other masculine characteristics, and the testicles has been well known since ancient times and has been related to the slow decrease in testosterone secretion with advanced age. Male hypogonadism is one of the most frequent and under-diagnosed endocrine diseases. Several terms have been proposed to refer to clinical situations caused by the age-related decline in male gonadal function; currently, the most widely accepted term is late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). LOH consists of a clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advanced age (in men), characterized by typical symptoms and reduced serum testosterone concentrations, which can affect multiple organs and systems and reduce quality of life. This syndrome can be treated and the alterations produced can be reversed. To achieve this, a diagnostic protocol that approaches the multiple factors related to the risks and benefits of treatment is required (AU)
Subject(s)
Male , Humans , Hypogonadism/therapy , Testis/physiopathology , Hypogonadism/epidemiology , Quality of Life , Testosterone/blood , Risk Factors , Age Factors , Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology , Hormone Replacement TherapyABSTRACT
One of the most important elements in men's live is the ability to engage in normal sexual activity; loss of this activity has always been considered especially important. The relationship between sexual activity, as well as other masculine characteristics, and the testicles has been well known since ancient times and has been related to the slow decrease in testosterone secretion with advanced age. Male hypogonadism is one of the most frequent and under-diagnosed endocrine diseases. Several terms have been proposed to refer to clinical situations caused by the age-related decline in male gonadal function; currently, the most widely accepted term is late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). LOH consists of a clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advanced age (in men), characterized by typical symptoms and reduced serum testosterone concentrations, which can affect multiple organs and systems and reduce quality of life. This syndrome can be treated and the alterations produced can be reversed. To achieve this, a diagnostic protocol that approaches the multiple factors related to the risks and benefits of treatment is required.
