androgen replacement therapy

The administration of androgens (e.g., testosterone or its congeners) in men with hypogonadal androgen-deficiency, which may be primary or secondary and either congenital or acquired. The intent of ART is to restore normal physiologic effects of testosterone, which depend on the stage of sexual development.

In androgen-deficient boys, the goal of ART is to initiate and maintain androgen-dependent activities, including somatic development (e.g., development of skeletal muscle and increased strength, long bone growth, redistribution of body fat and erythropoiesis), sexual behaviour (increased libido and potency) and development of 2º sexual characteristics (e.g., male pattern of hair growth, penile and scrotal enlargement, laryngeal enlargement and thickening of the vocal cords, and deepening of the voice).

Androgen replacement therapies
Oral
Pros
Convenience.

Cons
The oral testosterones available in the US are methyl testosterone and fluoxymesterone; both are nonphysiological, 17-alkylated molecules with hepatotoxic potential.

Transdermal
Pros
Well-absorbed physiologic testosterone.

Cons
Inconvenience of shaving scrotal skin; impregnation of patches with absorption enhancers, such as alcohol, allows their application to nongenital skin, but causes local irritation in up to 53% of patients.

Injectable
Pros
Absorbed physiologic testosterone.

Cons
Painful.

Sublingual AndroTest-SL®
Pros
Convenience; physiologic testosterone.

Cons
None.

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References in periodicals archive

Based on these observations, the routine use of androgen replacement therapy for patients with COPD is not recommended at the present time."

Testosterone for COPD: A study suggests that testosterone replacement therapy may slow the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

If you are considering androgen replacement therapy, talk to a doctor to learn more.

Male Menopause

If approved, Natesto will be the first and only testosterone nasal gel for androgen replacement therapy in adult males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone (hypogonadism) in the 19 countries covered by the agreement.

Acerus Licenses Carnot Laboratorios to Market Natesto in 19 Central and Latin American Countries

If you or a loved one is considering androgen replacement therapy, talk to a doctor to learn more.

Male menopause and treatment

Zaman Sheikh gave an Update on Androgen Replacement Therapy. He briefly talked about major functions of testis and clinical picture of testosterone.

Clinical proceedings of Pakistan Endocrine Society's 14th annual conference-III

Androgen replacement therapy (ART) in aging male has given way to much-debated concerns about effects on the prostate.

Mesterolone treatment of aging male syndrome improves lower urinary tract symptoms

Androgen deficiency is characterized by a decrease in prostate volume and serum PSA level.[sup.19] Jin and colleagues have reported significantly lower testosterone and PSA levels in patients who were given androgen replacement therapy for androgen deficiency compared to patients with androgen deficiency who were not given androgen replacement therapy and also compared to healthy men.[sup.20] Testosterone stimulates efficiency of prostatic epithelial cells which synthesize and secrete PSA.

The effects of cigarette smoking on prostate-specific antigen in two different age groups

Men were classified as treated if they filled a prescription for a phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitor, injection or urethral prostaglandins, or androgen replacement therapy. They were classified as untreated if they received an ED diagnosis but did not fill a prescription in the study period.

Erectile dysfunction: 75% with diagnosis go untreated

Primary care doctors, rehabilitation doctors, urologists and endocrinologists can order the necessary blood work to determine if testosterone levels are adequate or if androgen replacement therapy might be a consideration.

Low sexual desire

In view of the emerging evidence suggesting that androgen deficiency is a risk factor for CVD, androgen replacement therapy could potentially reduce CVD risk in hypogonadal men.

The dark side of testosterone deficiency: III. Cardiovascular disease

Thus, the authors suggest that androgen replacement therapy might one day be used to treat men at risk for heart disease.

Male hormones too can prevent heart damage