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Estrogen Deficiency in Men

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Endocrinology of the Testis and Male Reproduction

Part of the book series: Endocrinology ((ENDOCR))

Abstract

Congenital estrogen deficiency in men is a rare disorder that remains overlooked and undermanaged till adulthood. Similarly, other genetic diseases causing congenital hypogonadism are rare and indirectly lead to estrogen deficiency during infancy and puberty if not recognized and treated. Apart from congenital, genetic forms, estrogen deficiency may occur as a consequence of hypogonadism and reduced androgen production. Several lines of evidence support the idea that estrogen deficiency may be detrimental for several male physiological functions, especially in aging. Among them, bone loss, osteoporosis, increase of fat depots, and sexual function may depend to a various degree from estrogen deficiency. At present, however, nosological data on estrogen deficiency in men are lacking. This chapter describes the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations related to estrogen deficiency and provides clinical advice on how to diagnose and treat both congenital and acquired forms of estrogen deficiency.

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Abbreviations

ADT:

Androgen deprivation therapy

BMD:

Bone mineral density

DEXA:

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

ED:

Estrogen deficiency

ER:

Estrogen receptor

FSH:

Follicle-stimulating hormone

GnRH:

Gonadotropin releasing hormone

IGF-1:

Insulin-like growth factor 1

IIH:

Isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

LC-MS/MS:

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

LH:

Luteinizing hormone

PORD:

P450 oxidoreductase deficiency

T:

Testosterone

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  1. Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, Modena, Italy

    Vincenzo Rochira

  2. Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

    Cesare Carani

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  1. Vincenzo Rochira
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  2. Cesare Carani
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Correspondence to Vincenzo Rochira .

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  1. Dept. of Biomedicine, Metabolism and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Modena, Italy

    Manuela Simoni

  2. Dept. of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom

    Ilpo Huhtaniemi

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Rochira, V., Carani, C. (2017). Estrogen Deficiency in Men. In: Simoni, M., Huhtaniemi, I. (eds) Endocrinology of the Testis and Male Reproduction. Endocrinology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29456-8_27-1

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