Men's Health
About androgens
Androgens are steroid sex hormones produced mainly in the testes that control the development of the male sex organs, the testes, penis, seminal vesicles and prostate gland. They also regulate and maintain secondary male characteristics like the development of body and facial hair, increase in bone and muscle mass and deepening of the voice at puberty. Females also produce small amounts of androgens in the ovaries, but in some cases over production causes androgenisation with characteristics like unwanted body hair.
The main androgens are the male hormone testosterone and its active metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is much more potent than testosterone. Both testosterone and DHT bind to the androgen receptor within responsive cells, including brain, bone, hair follicles, testes and prostate cells.
Increased production of or sensitivity to testosterone is thought to be involved in conditions like hypersexuality and aggression in male sex offenders. Also increased sensitivity to DHT and increased conversion of testosterone to DHT is thought to contribute to the hair loss process in male pattern baldness.
The prostate gland
The prostate gland is a small organ that lies just below the bladder and surrounds the top of the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder. The prostate gland contributes to the seminal fluid made mainly by the seminal vesicles and the small amount made by the testes, which also contains sperm. Seminal fluid is transported by the urethra through the penis during ejaculation.
Growth and development of the prostate gland is controlled by testosterone, which binds to androgen receptors inside prostate cells. Conditions of the prostate gland include:
- Prostatitis, which is inflammation of the prostate usually due to an infection.
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlarged prostate but is not cancerous.
- Prostate cancer, which is an androgen-dependent tumour and needs testosterone for the cancer cells to grow.
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is also known as impotence in men and is the inability to achieve or maintain a hard erect penis suitable for sexual activity, which is normally the natural response to sexual stimulation. ED is due to decreased blood flow into the penis and can be treated by specific medication taken at the time of planned sexual activity.
Treatments for men’s health problems
Medications available for treating specific men’s health problems include:
- Anti-androgens that block the production of testosterone and its effects on cells containing androgen receptors, and are used to treat prostate cancer; also hypersexuality in male sex offenders.
- Inhibitors of the enzyme 5α-reductase that converts testosterone to DHT, and is used to treat BPH and male pattern baldness.
- Alpha blockers or alpha-adrenergic antagonists that relax muscle cells in the prostate gland and are used to treat symptoms of BPH.
- Inhibitors of the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) that widen blood vessels allowing blood flow into penis, and are used to treat ED.
- Prostaglandins that relax smooth muscle and are used to treat ED.
- Dietary supplements containing a naturally occurring 5α-reductase inhibitor, used to support prostate health and to treat BPH and male pattern baldness.
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Zoloft 100mg
Zoloft general information
What is Zoloft used for?
Zoloft 100mg tablets are used to treat depression and symptoms of depressive illness, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide. Zoloft 100mg tablets are also used to treat other mood disorders that affect daily activities and relationships with others including:
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Social phobia (social anxiety disorder)
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome
How does Zoloft work?
Zoloft 100mg tablets contain Sertraline which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Zoloft acts in the brain and works by blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate, from the synapse, which is the gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent from one nerve cell to another. If the re-uptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) is blocked, this means that there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), which allows nerve cells to communicate with each other for longer. One of the major causes of depression and other mood disorders is thought to be a lack of serotonin, which controls many body activities, including regulating mood. The action of Zoloft 50mg tablets helps relieve symptoms of depression and other mood disorders by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, which in turn increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood.
What does Zoloft contain?
Zoloft 100mg tablets contain the active ingredient sertraline hydrochloride. They also contain calcium hydrogen phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, white opadry, clear opadry.
Treating depression with Zoloft
Zoloft 100mg tablets contain Sertraline which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of depression, including anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating and recurrent thoughts of suicide. One of the major causes of depression is thought to be a lack of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) that controls mood. Zoloft works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cell to communicate with each other. By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the first nerve cell (pre-synaptic) there is more serotonin remaining for the receiving nerve cell (post-synaptic), so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of depression.
Zoloft for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Zoloft 100mg tablets contain sertraline which is an antidepressant belonging to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), used to treat symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), including intrusive unwanted repetitive thoughts and an irresistible urge to keep repeating certain actions, such as hand-washing or counting, to try and prevent some imagined dreaded event. One of the major causes of OCD is thought to be low levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate) and if there is a lack of serotonin, the brain cells involved in nerve pathways that control mood changes generate feelings of anxiety and panic instead of well-being, which is associated with high levels of serotonin. Zoloft works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse, or gap between nerve cells across which chemical messages are sent to allow nerve cell to communicate with each other. By preventing the reuptake of serotonin by the nerve cell receiving the message, more serotonin remains in the synapse so that nerve cells can communicate with each other for longer, which increases stimulation of nerve pathways that control mood changes, relieving symptoms of OCD.
What are the side effects of Zoloft?
Some of the more commonly reported side effects when taking Zoloft 50mg tablets include: abdominal pain, agitation, anxiety, constipation, sexual problems, diarrhoea, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, gas, headache, decreased appetite, increased sweating, indigestion, insomnia or sleepiness, nausea, nervousness, pain, rash, sleepiness, sore throat, tingling or pins and needles, tremor, vision problems, vomiting, tinnitus, weight loss.
Can Zoloft cause withdrawal symptoms?
You may experience withdrawal symptoms when your treatment with Zoloft 100mg tablets is discontinued, therefore it is recommended that you come off Zoloft gradually rather than abruptly, to reduce withdrawal symptoms.
When should Zoloft not be used?
You should not use Zoloft 100mg tablets if you:
- are allergic to sertraline or any of the ingredients in Zoloft 100mg tablets
- are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
- have liver or kidney disease
- taking any monoamine oxidase inhibitor medications as these can cause serious reactions if taken with Zoloft or within 14 days
- taking other medication that interacts with Zoloft, including, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression, the analgesic tramadol, tryptophan or lithium for mood alteration, phentermine for weight reduction, sumatriptan for migraine, the antipsychotic pimozide
- are taking medication that affects blood clotting as these may increase risk of bleeding if taken with Zoloft
What medications interact with Zoloft?
Several medications interact with Zoloft 100mg tablets and should either not be taken while you are taking Zoloft or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:
- Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Zoloft: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) for depression
- Drugs that affect Zoloft: the analgesic tramadol, tryptophan or lithium for mood alteration, phentermine for weight-reduction, sumatriptan for migraine the herbal remedy St John's wort, cimetidine for reflux and ulcers
- Drugs that are affected by Zoloft: the antipsychotic pimozide, clozapine for schizophrenia , the anticoagulant warfarin, phenytoin for epilepsy, the sedative diazepam, tolbutamide for diabetes methadone for treating drug addiction
How should Zoloft be taken?
You should take your Zoloft 100mg tablets with a glass of water with or without food usually once a day, at the same time each day, for several weeks or months, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations. Your doctor may increase your dose, depending on what you are being treated for. You should take the course of Zoloft 100mg tablets for as long as prescribed by your doctor, which may be for several weeks. It may take 2 to 4 weeks or even longer before you start to feel better, so you should not stop taking your tablets before this if you do not feel immediate relief of symptoms. You may need to continue taking Zoloft 100mg tablets for several months or longer to prevent any relapse of symptoms.
How long should you take Zoloft?
You should take the course of Zoloft 100mg tablets for as long as prescribed by your doctor, which may be for several weeks. It may take 2 to 4 weeks or even longer before you start to feel better, so you should not stop taking your tablets before this if you do not feel immediate relief of symptoms. You may need to continue taking Zoloft 100mg tablets for several months or longer to prevent any relapse of symptoms.
Missed dose of Zoloft
If you miss a dose of Zoloft 100mg tablets take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.
How should Zoloft be stored?
You should keep your Zoloft 100mg tablets in their blister packs until use and store below 30°C in a cool dry place.
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