June 2007:
Recent research by WIllem De Ronde, has investigated the use of Aromatase inhibitors in adult men. . Mr De Ronde says the following, "Aromatase inhibitors are particularly useful to delay epiphysial maturation and increase predicted adult height in boys with pubertas praecox, idiopathic short stature and constitutional delay of puberty. In older men with late-onset hypogonadism aromatase inhibitors improve plasma testosterone levels but evidence for long-term benefit is presently lacking. " He conludes, "Aromatase inhibitors effectively delay epiphysial maturation in boys and improve testosterone levels in adult men and may be used to increase adult height in boys with pubertas praecox, idiopathic short stature and constitutional delay of puberty. Long-term efficacy and safety is not established in adult men and their use in older men with late-onset hypogonadism is therefore not yet recommended."

In the same way Testosterone plays a minor, but important part in a woman's body, so Estrogen plays a part in the male. Imbalance in Estrogen can be equally disturbing to a man, as a woman. Excess, or deficiency, can cause similar symptoms to low Testosterone. That is to say, variable moods, low energy levels, low libido, etc.
Estrogen is a part of the "Testosterone feedback loop". A hormone "switch" in the Pituitary gland, IGF1 (Inhibin Growth Factor 1), directs the body to make Testosterone, or Estrogen. A defect in that "switch", can cause the body to make Estrogen, instead of Testosterone, and vice-versa. Estrogen appears to have an effect on both the Hypothalamus and the Pituitary gland.¹⁹⁹
Excess Testosterone is normally converted into Estrogen in the male by Aromatase. Aromatase is not always a perfect process and is dependent on receptors throughout the body. Some men suffer excess Estrogen as a result of defective Aromatase, and, normally have trouble getting muscle definition and can develop Gynecomastia.

"Gyne" as it is known causes great pyschological distress, as it appears the male has female breasts.

Estrogen and Testosterone Therapy
It follows from the above that an overdose of Testosterone will automatically produce Estrogen to excess, in the average patient. A scan of the hypogonadism forums in the world, will reveal numerous men on Testosterone taking Tamoxifen/Arimidex/Novaldex/6-OXO, or similar, in a bid to control the debilitating effects of excess Estrogen.
This site suggests those prescribing Testosterone, would be well advised to bear the role of Aromatase in mind.

Effects of Excess Estrogen
The physiological effect of excess Estrogen is to suppress Luteinising Hormone (LH), which in turn, is supposed to stimulate the production of Testosterone vis a pulsatile response mechanism. It is easy to see therefore, how excess Estrogen can impact the Testicular and Pituitary health of men, as well as women. Perhaps it too should be measured as we grow up.

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