Purpose: Androgen replacement therapy has been shown to be safe and effective for most patients with testosterone deficiency.
Male partners of infertile couples often report significantly poorer sexual activity and complain androgen deficiency symptoms. We report herein an adverse effect on fertility caused by misusage of androgen replacement therapy in infertile men with hypogonadal symptoms.
Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 8 male patients referred from a local clinic for azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia between January 2008 and July 2011. After detailed evaluation at our andrology clinic, all patients were diagnosed with iatrogenic hypogonadism associated with external androgen replacement. We evaluated changes in semen parameters and serum hormone level, and fertility status.
Results: All patients had received multiple testosterone undecanoate (NebidoR)) injections at local clinic due to androgen deficiency symptoms combined with lower serum testosterone level. The median duration of androgen replacement therapy prior to the development of azoospermia was 8 months (range: 4-12 months). After withdrawal of androgen therapy, sperm concentration and serum follicle-stimulating hormone level returned to normal range at a median 8.5 months (range: 7-10 months).
Conclusion: Misusage of external androgen replacement therapy in infertile men with poor sexual function can cause temporary spermatogenic dysfunction, thus aggravating infertility.
Written by:
Bang JK, Lim JJ, Choi J, Won HJ, Yoon TK, Hong JY, Park DS, Song SH. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Fertility Center, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, 566 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-913, Korea.
Reference: Yonsei Med J. 2013 May 1;54(3):702-6.
doi: 10.3349/ymj.2013.54.3.702
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23549818
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