The antiandrogens are used as an active ingredient against the male sex drive. In contrast, however, the application is equally possible in women. In addition to treating acute symptoms, long-term use can cause permanent effects and side effects.
What is antiandrogens?
The antiandrogens are used as an active ingredient against the male sex drive. In contrast, however, their use is equally possible in women. In some cases, women and men have too high levels of male sex hormones. Why this increased production of estrogens and progestins occurs has not been conclusively researched. In most cases, however, the first symptoms appear in those affected during puberty. In male adolescents, these may be due to an increased sex drive. Not infrequently, this is accompanied by an uncontrollable trait that reacts to sensual stimuli. Women, on the other hand, usually complain of a slight beard formation, a tendency to acne and recognizably male characteristics when this increased hormone count is present. In these cases, antiandrogen is used over a period of several months or even years. This is intended to achieve an inhibition of hormone production. As a result, however, the preparation often triggers side effects, which is why its use is controversial and may only be carried out by medical instruction.
Pharmacological action
In affected individuals, the quantitative ratio of sex hormones develops unequally. Compared to the female hormones, the male ones are present in an increased number. This results in the aforementioned symptoms. In these cases, the antiandrogen is administered. In most cases, this is done in the course of oral intake by tablet or capsule. In a few cases, injection of a serum is also possible. Once the drug enters the bloodstream, it blocks the androgen receptor in the central nervous system. The now occupied receptors can subsequently no longer be bound by testosterone for several hours. This prevents a large number of biochemical processes. These would result in the increased production of certain proteins in the organism without administration of the antiandrogens. They, in turn, are involved in the increasing amount of sex hormones. The balance of male and female hormones is established by the drug and, with long-term use, can also be positively influenced in the long term. However, the administration turns out to be not entirely harmless.
Medical application and use
Antiandrogens are used nowadays for comparatively minor symptoms. On the one hand, this involves the increased sex drive in men. On the other hand, the tendency to acne and increased sebum production, as well as the presence of facial hair in women is treated in this way. Going further, it would also be conceivable to administer it to men in the context of prostate carcinoma, but in fact it is only used for certain medical indications. By inhibiting the sex hormone, however, the antiandrogen has also acquired the reputation of being able to be used successfully in castrations. This image is the basis for the fact that the drug is currently controversial. In some nations, it continues to be injected into sex offenders. In the long term, chemical castration is to be carried out on them. However, this procedure is not legitimized in Germany. In some European countries, it can be chosen voluntarily by those affected in the presence of sex drives that cannot be treated. Only in the United States of America it is also forcibly brought into the body of the offender.
Risks and side effects
From the aforementioned, there are a considerable number of side effects. Thus, in a few situations, the misuse can even trigger the infertility of the person concerned. Although these cases are rarely registered, they cannot be completely avoided. The desired effect of inhibiting male sex hormones is also associated in some constellations with increased production of female hormones. In these circumstances, even men may show female pattern breast growth. In general, patients report a decrease in desire, which in many cases results in a more widespread lack of drive. The nature of the affected person calms down. Pathological and driven traits decrease. Consequently, with the alleviated sexual drive, a change in personality is also possible in certain cases.Therefore, the application should be rather discreet and must always follow the medical opinion and recommendation.
