title: Correlations between hormones, physical, and affective parameters in aging urologic outpatients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the relationship between sex hormones, physical complaints, depression, sexuality, and life satisfaction in aging men.
  
  
  METHODS
  263 outpatients aged 40 years and above (M=56.2; 40-84 years) were recruited from 6 andrological outpatient departments in Germany to evaluate "aging male" symptoms. Subjects were assessed by standardised self-report questionnaires, physical, and endocrinological examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total and free testosterone as well as DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate) levels decreased significantly with age. SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) and LH (luteinizing hormone) increased; estradiol remained unchanged. Inactivity, lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile and orgasmic dysfunction also increased significantly with age. A low testosterone level was significantly associated with a reduced motivation and a lack of sexual desire. In addition to reduced testosterone levels, a reduced motivation was also predicted by depression and an impaired physical self-concept. Reduced activity, erectile dysfunction, and low testosterone levels contributed significantly to the lack of sexual desire.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aging men are frequently afflicted with a wide range of physical complaints (e.g. fatigue, prostate symptoms), erectile and orgasmic dysfunction, reflected in a reduced physical self-concept. Assessment and treatment of age-related physical and affective alterations must consider their close interplay with hormonal and lifestyle variables.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Psychosomatic Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Beutel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiltink
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Hauck
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Auch
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Behre
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brähler
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weidner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D011788:Quality of Life; D019529:Sexuality / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones