Androgen is the name of a group of hormones that provide for masculine qualities. The best known androgen is testosterone. Other androgen hormones are DHEA and androstenedione. See androgens for more information.

Androgen deficiency
Androgen deficiency is a clinical diagnosis confirmed by hormone testing. Among younger men, androgen deficiency is usually due to underlying hypothalamopituitary or testicular disorders.

Androgen therapy
Androgen replacement therapy should be started after proof of androgen deficiency and should continue lifelong with monitoring. Androgen therapy in those without androgen deficiency could lead to androgen excess side effects such as hair loss, aggressiveness, irritability, liver harm, and potential increase in cancer of several organs and tissues.
   There is no convincing evidence that androgen therapy is either an effective treatment or safe for older men unless they have clear and proven androgen deficiency.

Androgen deprivation treatment
The use of androgen deprivation therapy increases the risk of death from cardiovascular disease among men who undergo radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer.

Androgen receptor
Androgen directly regulate gene expression via the androgen receptor, a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily.