An Overview of Testosterone Therapy

Am J Mens Health. 2016 Jan;10(1):68-72. doi: 10.1177/1557988314556671. Epub 2014 Nov 14.

Abstract

Millions of men, as a result of the natural aging process, injury, illness, and medical therapies, experience a decline in testosterone levels that necessitate a need for testosterone supplementation therapy (TST). The signs and symptoms of testosterone decline may occur gradually, and low testosterone levels may be misdiagnosed as other medical conditions. Over the past two decades, there has been an increase in testing of testosterone levels and the use of TST. With so many men now on TST, it is essential for health care professionals to know the signs and symptoms, the causes of testosterone decline, how testosterone deficiency is diagnosed, what pathological changes are associated with testosterone decline, and the benefits and risks of TST. In addition, health care providers need to be aware of the various forms of testosterone available as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. This article provides a brief overview of testosterone deficiency, TST treatment options and guidelines, and the risks and benefits associated with of TST.

Keywords: development and aging; health awareness; health screening; hypogonadism.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Aging / psychology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Comorbidity
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy / adverse effects
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy / methods
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy / standards*
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism / complications
  • Hypogonadism / diagnosis
  • Hypogonadism / drug therapy*
  • Hypogonadism / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / epidemiology
  • Testosterone* / administration & dosage
  • Testosterone* / adverse effects
  • Testosterone* / deficiency
  • Testosterone* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Testosterone