[Why is andrology part of dermatology]

Hautarzt. 2018 Dec;69(12):972-976. doi: 10.1007/s00105-018-4303-6.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Andrology evolved more than 100 years ago in order to create an equivalent to gynecology for specific male problems in reproductive medicine. The first stimuli for the clinical and scientific development of this specialty in Germany arose from dermatologists. Andrology thus appears as a moiety of dermatology. In 2003 the visibility of andrology among the medical disciplines was accentuated by the introduction of an additional specialty specification for dermatologists, endocrinologists and urologists, since the other two disciplines also worked on andrological problems. Today, the majority of the members of the Society of Andrology are urologists and also urologists form the majority of medical practioners with this additional specialty. Besides reproductive medicine, there are several other topics which underline the conjunction of dermatology and andrology. Hence andrology should be observed as a part of dermatology not only for historical reasons. Andrology is a living subspecialty of dermatology and young dermatologists should be motivated to become engaged in it.

Keywords: Genital dermatoses; Hypogonadism; Medical specialization; Reproductive medicine; Subspecialty.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Andrology*
  • Dermatology*
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Male