Induced testosterone deficiency: from clinical presentation of fatigue, erectile dysfunction and muscle atrophy to insulin resistance and diabetes.

Over the past 60 years, androgen deprivation therapy has been the mainstay of treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. However, research findings suggest that androgen deprivation therapy inflicts serious adverse effects on overall health and reduces the quality of life. Among the adverse effects known to date are insulin resistance, diabetes, metabolic syndrome fatigue, erectile dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease. In this clinical perspective, we discuss the relationship between induced androgen deficiency and a host of pathologies in the course of treatment with androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer patients.