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[HEALTH] · United States · 8 sources

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Football head injuries linked to long-term low testosterone

football head injuries low testosterone pituitary gland damage concussions hormonal deficiency

Research suggests that head injuries sustained in football, including both major concussions and repeated smaller collisions, may cause long-term damage to the pituitary gland. This gland, located at the base of the brain, is responsible for regulating hormones such as testosterone.

A 2019 survey of approximately 3,500 former NFL players published in JAMA Neurology found that 18.3% had been prescribed medication for low testosterone, while 22.7% reported erectile dysfunction. Players who experienced the highest number of concussion symptoms during their careers had more than twice the odds of reporting low testosterone compared to those with fewer symptoms.

The issue extends to high school football, played by about one million American teenagers annually. Endocrinologist Dr. Steven Wise noted that symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and mood changes are often mistaken for aging, but may actually stem from pituitary or hypothalamus injuries sustained years earlier during contact sports.

Entities

Jama Neurology · NFL · Steven Wise

Sources

Football head injuries may cause low testosterone years later - Perryville Republic Monitor [republicmonitor.com]
Football head injuries may cause low testosterone years later - The Ponte Vedra Recorder [pontevedrarecorder.com]
Football head injuries may cause low testosterone years later - Hood County News [www.hcnews.com]
Football head injuries may cause low testosterone years later [krdo.com]
Football head injuries may cause low testosterone years later [localnews8.com]
Football head injuries may cause low testosterone years later [abc17news.com]
Football head injuries may cause low testosterone years later [kioncentralcoast.com]
Football head injuries may cause low testosterone years later [kesq.com]