Chronic Opiate Use Associated with Lower Levels of Androgens

Chronic use of opiates has long been associated with multiple side effects, many of which are due to lower levels of androgens in this patient population.

Previous studies have shown that long-term opiate use may lead to opiate induced hypogonadism, resulting in significantly decreased testosterone levels in men. One area of chronic opiate use that needs to be looked at extensively is the correlation between opiate-induced hypogonadism and associated side effects such as osteoporosis and sexual dysfunction in male patients taking opiates. Marked testosterone deficiency is a well-established risk factor for both osteoporosis and altered sexual function, and recent information demonstrated that altered estrogen levels may play a role in these side effects as well.