Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
Testosterone suppression in opioid users: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Monica Bawor1, Herman Bami2, Brittany B Dennis3
1MiNDS Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada; Population Genomics Program, Chanchlani Research Centre, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.
Opioids significantly suppress testosterone levels in men, but not in women. This hormonal imbalance may impact treatment outcomes for opioid dependence and pain management, highlighting different endocrine disruption mechanisms between sexes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Men's Health
Background:
- Opioid use, for pain or recreation, can cause hormonal imbalances, primarily affecting testosterone levels.
- These testosterone imbalances in both men and women may hinder successful treatment and recovery from opioid dependence.
- Understanding opioid-induced hormonal changes is crucial for optimizing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the impact of opioid use on testosterone levels in men and women.
- To assess the relevance of these hormonal changes to treatment outcomes in opioid dependence and pain management.
Main Methods:
- Searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL for relevant studies.
- Included studies examining testosterone levels in men and women using opioids.
- Data collection was performed in duplicate.
Main Results:
- Seventeen studies with 2769 participants were included (800 opioid users, 1969 controls).
- Opioid use was associated with significantly lower mean testosterone levels in men (MD=-164.78; p<0.0001).
- Opioids, including methadone, did not significantly affect testosterone levels in women. High heterogeneity and low study quality were noted.
Conclusions:
- Regular opioid use suppresses testosterone levels in men, irrespective of the opioid type.
- Opioids exhibit differential effects on testosterone levels in men compared to women.
- These findings suggest distinct endocrine disruption mechanisms in men and women, important for clinical consideration in opioid dependence treatment.
More Related Videos
09:54Combining Laser Capture Microdissection and Microfluidic qPCR to Analyze Transcriptional Profiles of Single Cells: A Systems Biology Approach to Opioid Dependence
Published on: March 8, 2020
16:02Demonstration of the Sequence Alignment to Predict Across Species Susceptibility Tool for Rapid Assessment of Protein Conservation
Published on: February 10, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients