Resumen

CASTELO ELIAS-CALLES, Lizet; MACHADO PORRO, María C.; ARAMBURO POU, Emilio  y  MARTINEZ GARCIA, Rolando. Androgen decline in male aging: Information from a workcenter. Rev Cubana Endocrinol [online]. 2003, vol.14, n.3. ISSN 1561-2953.

In our context, we have not found so far papers that refer to knowledge about androgen decline of men during aging at international level and few literature reviews have been found on this aspect, therefore, we wonder what type of information men from an urban health care have about this problem. An exploratory and descriptive study based on a tailor-made survey was made on 208 men aged 30 years and over, who are employed in a center located in a health care subordinated to "Rampa" polyclinics in Plaza de la Revolution Municipality, taking into account the high number of workers with high schooling. Data were gathered on schooling, diseases and toxic habits that, according to the surveyed men´s opinion, could hinder their sexual function as well as clinical manifestations that might be an alert to androgen decline. Age and schooling did not influence significantly the level of information about androgen decline during aging. The participants in the survey pointed out that alcohol consumption and smoking are the main risk factors affecting masculine sexual functioning. Sexually transmitted diseases were considered as the most important causes affecting this function whereas ischemic cardiopathy, obesity and blood hypertension are less influential. Reduction or loss of erectile capacity, reduced sexual appetite and depression are the main symptoms of androgen decline recognized by the surveyed men. Most of them prefer to look for help and counseling at the primary care level.

Palabras clave : Sexual dysfunction; aging; androgens.