Decreased Testosterone (Hypogonadism) - Part I Evaluation and Treatment Recommendations

Symptoms Although most depressed patients are not hypogonadal, testosterone deficiency can cause depressed mood, low self-confidence, timidity, fearfulness, irritability, low libido, and impaired sexual function in men and women. Conversely, robust androgen secretion usually promotes good mood, selfconfidence, boldness, dominant behavior, and strong libido. Men’s normally higher testosterone levels may relate to this sex’s lower frequency of depression and generally more violent aggression, compared with women. Increased male aggression is associated with elevated gonadal steroid levels— from over-elaboration of endogenous (internal) hormone or, more commonly, use of exogenous (external) anabolic steroids.