Abstract

Purpose: Approximately 13 million men suffer with low testosterone, reporting symptoms of fatigue, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction (ED), and depression. Despite the published benefits of testosterone therapy, less than 15% of men with hypogonadism are treated. Signs and symptoms of low testosterone are under evaluated in clinical practice, and lack of provider knowledge is a contributory factor to the low use of testosterone therapy.

Data sources: Published guidelines for treating low testosterone, primary and review articles, and results from a questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study using the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice (KAP) approach.

Conclusions: More than half of the nurse practitioners who responded to the survey routinely evaluate testosterone levels in men complaining of fatigue and low libido, and treat men with low testosterone in their practice setting. This finding is higher than published literature that suggests less than 15% of men with low testosterone are treated. Nurse practitioner attitude is positively related to practice habits.

Implications for practice: Through this evaluation of current knowledge, attitudes, and practice habits of advance practice nurses, educational interventions may be developed to address identified deficiencies in diagnosis and treatment of men with low testosterone.

Robin Parry

Author Details

Robin Parry, MSN, FNP-C, Doctor of Nursing Practice student

Sigma Membership

Unknown

Lead Author Affiliation

Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Literature Review

Research Approach

Quantitative Research

Keywords:

Low Testosterone, Fatigue Classification, Decreased Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, Depression

Advisor

Thomas, Debera

Second Advisor

Lilly, Mary Luanne

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Northern Arizona University

Degree Year

2014

Rights Holder

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Review Type

Faculty Approved: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

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