Sex hormones may play a role in the development of depression. Women have a higher risk of depression than men until they reach age 65, at which time sexual differences wane. Sex hormones may be responsible for the difference in susceptibility to depression, according to several studies. Men produce seven times the testosterone that women produce, and abnormally high or low levels of testosterone may also increase risk of depression.
Features
Testosterone is a hormone secreted from the testes and adrenal glands. Testosterone helps regulate sexual activity, libido, social behaviors, cognitive functions, aggression and sleep. It also plays a role in establishing a sense of well-being. In men, testosterone helps maintain bone density, fat distribution, muscle strength and mass, red blood cell production and sperm production, according to MayoClinic.com.
Men
In men, below-average levels of testosterone are associated with higher depression risk, according to a 1999 study published by Alan Booth and colleagues in the "Journal of Health and Social Behavior." Older men with lower free testosterone levels in their blood have an increased risk of depression, according to a study published by Osvaldo P. Almeida and colleagues in a 2008 issue of "Archives of General Psychiatry," cited by Science Daily. Testosterone therapy reverses the effect.
Women
Excessive androgens, such as testosterone, are associated with aggression and anti-social behavior in women, which may increase risk of depression, states a 2010 study published by Sükrü Kartalci in "Current Approaches in Psychiatry," also known by its Turkish title, "Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar." Low testosterone levels are also associated with depression in women, according to a 2002 study published by U.D. Rohr in "Maturitas," the official journal of the European Menopause and Andropause Society.
Risk
At around age 50, men begin secreting progressively lower amounts of testosterone. Men with low testosterone who have a medical morbidity or are aged 50 to 65 years have an increased risk of depressive illness, found a 2005 study published by Molly M. Shores and colleagues in the "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry." For women, testosterone levels are higher before and after the birth of a baby, possibly increasing risk for postpartum depression, according to the 2002 "Maturitas" study. Depression in pubertal girls might also be related to surges in testosterone. Women with osteoporosis might also be at risk because like depression, osteoporosis is associated with low testosterone and low estrogen levels.
Treatment
Testosterone may be useful as depressive treatment in certain subpopulations, including hypogonadal men, antidepressant-resistant men, men with early onset depression and/or HIV-infected men, according to a 2008 study published by Revital Amiaz and Stuart N. Seidman in "Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity." Hypogonadism is prevalent among human immunodeficiency virus-infected men. Antiandrogenic progestins might be useful for treating depression in women suffering from hyperandrogenic states in peri- and postmenopause, according to the 2002 "Maturitas" study.
References
- Science Daily: Low Testosterone Levels Associated With Depression In Older Men
- "Journal of Health and Social Behavior": Testosterone and Men's Depression: The Role of Social Behavior
- "Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar": Testosterone and Depression
- "Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity": Testosterone and Depression in Men
- PubMed.gov: "Maturitas": The Impact of Testosterone Imbalance on Depression and Women's Health
