Replacement therapy, hormone androgens

Hormonal effects on the aging process have been areas of current interest. The intricacies of the interaction of the various hormones are undoubtedly involved in the aging process and hence these hormones could be called antiaging agents. Both androgens and estrogens have been studied. Low level estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) has been used to treat postmenopausal women. 

HRT (hormone replacement therapy) administration of estrogens to women or androgens to men who, due to menopause or age, have decreased levels of these plasma steroids. 

Replacement therapy - Replacement therapy in hypogonadism associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone. Prior to puberty, androgen replacement therapy is needed for development of secondary sexual characteristics. Prolonged treatment is required to maintain sexual characteristics in these and other males who develop testosterone deficiency after puberty. Appropriate adrenal cortical and thyroid hormone replacement therapy are still necessary, however, and are of primary importance. 

The ability of androgens to counter osteoporosis is the basis of their use as a supplement to estrogens in one version of hormone replacement therapy. Testosterone can increase markers of bone formation (66). However, the early closure of epiphyses, with an arrest of growth, is a risk if children are exposed to these substances this latter effect may be produced by the estrogen to which testosterone is metabolized. In some patients with... 

Penotti M, Sironi L, Cannata L, Vigano P, Casini A, Gabrielli L, Vignali M. Effects of androgen supplementation of hormone replacement therapy on the vascular reactivity of cerebral arteries. Fertil Steril 2001 76(2) 235-40. 

Tibolone is an agonist at estrogen and progestogen receptors, with weak androgenic activity. It is given as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy, without added progestogen, and has been in use for some 30 years to treat bone loss in post-menopausal women. Some long-term studies (for example over 10 years) appear to have confirmed its safety and relative freedom from adverse effects (1). In particular there is little or no increase in thrombotic events and the incidence of breast tenderness is low. 

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