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What Are the Uses of Anastrozole for Men?

Karize Uy
Karize Uy

Generally speaking, the primary use of anastrozole for men is to suppress the production of estrogen, the main female sex hormones. The drug is often prescribed as a hormone treatment for women who are suffering from breast cancer in their post-menopausal stages, but in rare cases when a male patient has breast cancer, anastrozole may also be a treatment option. Usage of anastrozole is also often observed in bodybuilders who want to maintain their masculine and muscular physique, especially for those who may be taking steroids. Anastrozole may also be a part of treatment for men suffering from prostate cancer.

The suppression of estrogen, specifically the hormone estradiol, is often necessary for men who have hormone disorders. Elevated levels of the female hormone in men can be manifested in gynecomastia or growth of breasts in males and hypogonadism or the reduced function of the testes. In worse cases, excessive estrogen may put men at higher risk for having prostate cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Prescribing anastrozole for men in these situations has shown significant decrease of estradiol levels and, therefore, a decrease in symptoms and risks.

Anastrozole is often prescribed to men with prostrate conditions or enlarged breasts.
Anastrozole is often prescribed to men with prostrate conditions or enlarged breasts.

Estrogen suppression is also an important factor in breast cancer treatment, as studies have proven that breast cancer cells actually feed on estrogen to multiply and make the cancer worse. Anastrozole prevents the hormone androgen, the male sex hormone, from converting into estrogen, thus decreasing the levels of estrogen in the body. Anastrozole for men is usually a common treatment option for male breast cancer patients, as both the female and male types of breast cancer are pathologically similar.

Male bodybuilders occasionally take anastrozole to counter heightened estrogen levels.
Male bodybuilders occasionally take anastrozole to counter heightened estrogen levels.

Another use of anastrozole for men is to maintain a powerfully-built and bulky physique among bodybuilders, especially those who take anabolic steroids. One function of steroids is that it mimics the actions of naturally occurring testosterone, resulting in the increase of protein levels, muscle buildup, and strength improvement. Ironically, the excessive levels of testosterone and testosterone-like drugs signal the body to convert the male hormones into estradiol, which can lead to development of female features such as breasts and fat retention. Bodybuilders counter this hormone conversion by using anastrozole, but usage is often mishandled and may produce more adverse effects.

Too much estrogen in the body may lead to the development of gynecomastia in men.
Too much estrogen in the body may lead to the development of gynecomastia in men.

Hormones have also been seen to increase occurrences of prostate cancer, especially for older patients or those who are in the advanced stages of the disease. Patients are often prescribed medication that reduces testosterone levels in order to prevent the cancer from spreading, but some studies have shown the estrogen may also enlarge the prostate and promote growth of the cancer. Doctors prescribe anastrozole to ensure the maintenance of low estrogen levels, especially because there is an increase of estrogen among older men.

Discussion Comments

anon359014

What is the reference range (blood) and/or preferred range for a man having prostate cancer?

anon299854

Anastrozole inhibits peripheral conversion of androgens into estrogens in the adipose-tissue. Obesity and high percentages of body fat contribute to excess estrogen levels because body fat contains aromatase enzymes. Aromatase converts testosterone into estrogen and anastrozole inhibits this function. High-fat diets increase obesity and estrogen levels while high fiber diets lower estrogen, through fecal excretions. Vegetarians are shown to have lower body fat percentages and estrogen levels.

Excess estrogen in men is an epidemic in today’s world, due to the high-fat/high-sugar western diet, which causes most modern diseases. Excess estrogen has been associated with obesity and prostate cancer. It was also shown that men with high levels of estradiol were also more likely to have cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Testosterone levels and sperm counts have been decreasing for generations (nearly 20% in one generation)! And research is blaming excess estrogens, much of which is administered into cattle and chicken and found in naturally in high amounts in cow milk.

Estrogen inhibits LH and FSH. Which are responsible for testosterone production and sperm production. High levels of estrogen send negative feedback messages to the brain to stop testosterone production.

Anastrozole has been shown to decrease estradiol levels in men by 50 percent and also increase testosterone by 50 percent. Anastrozole has also been shown to promote male fertility by increasing sperm count.

Any male who has symptoms of metabolic syndrome or sexual dysfunction should get their estrone and estradiol tested. If it is high, ask your doctor to prescribe you anastrozole and shown him the scientific citations supporting your request.

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    • Anastrozole is often prescribed to men with prostrate conditions or enlarged breasts.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Anastrozole is often prescribed to men with prostrate conditions or enlarged breasts.
    • Male bodybuilders occasionally take anastrozole to counter heightened estrogen levels.
      By: serav
      Male bodybuilders occasionally take anastrozole to counter heightened estrogen levels.
    • Too much estrogen in the body may lead to the development of gynecomastia in men.
      By: semmickphoto
      Too much estrogen in the body may lead to the development of gynecomastia in men.
    • Anastrozole may be part of the treatment for prostate cancer.
      By: peterjunaidy
      Anastrozole may be part of the treatment for prostate cancer.
    • Anastrozole can be taken to suppress the production of estrogen in men.
      By: sframe
      Anastrozole can be taken to suppress the production of estrogen in men.