Benefits and Health Implications of Testosterone Therapy in Men With Testosterone Deficiency

Abstract

Introduction: Testosterone (T) deficiency (TD; hypogonadism) has deleterious effects on men's health; negatively affects glycometabolic and cardiometabolic functions, body composition, and bone mineral density; contributes to anemia and sexual dysfunction; and lowers quality of life. T therapy (TTh) has been used for the past 8 decades to treat TD, with positive effects on signs and symptoms of TD.

Aim: To summarize the health benefits of TTh in men with TD.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was carried out using PubMed, articles relevant to TTh were accessed and evaluated, and a comprehensive summary was synthesized.

Main outcome measures: Improvements in signs and symptoms of TD reported in observational studies, registries, clinical trials, and meta-analyses were reviewed and summarized.

Results: A large body of evidence provides significant valuable information pertaining to the therapeutic value of TTh in men with TD. TTh in men with TD provides real health benefits for bone mineral density, anemia, sexual function, glycometabolic and cardiometabolic function, and improvements in body composition, anthropometric parameters, and quality of life.

Conclusion: TTh in the physiologic range for men with TD is a safe and effective therapeutic modality and imparts great benefits on men's health and quality of life. Traish AM. Benefits and Health Implications of Testosterone Therapy in Men With Testosterone Deficiency. Sex Med Rev 2018;6:86-105.

Keywords: Bone Mineral Density; Diabetes; Metabolic Syndrome; Sexual Function; Testosterone; Testosterone Deficiency; Testosterone Therapy.