EC Endocrinology and Metabolic Research

Exogenous testosterone use is widespread in the adult male population—with or without age-related infertility or medical necessity. Exogenous testosterone compounds are readily available to the consumer. There are benefits to its indicated and supervised application; however, caution regarding its use is advised. Exogenous testosterone supplementation alters testicular biochemistry, leading to azoospermia and infertility in men, previously unaffected by age-related infertility. Also, long-term use has public health consequences in that it can increase the incidence and prevalence of prostate cancer in otherwise healthy men. Fortunately, in most men unaffected by age-related infertility, there is a return of normal spermatogenesis within one year of discontinuation of exogenous testosterone. This paper reviews and summarizes exogenous testosterone’s adverse effects on the male hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis, the remedy and recovery thereof, and the public health risk.

Keywords:  Azoospermia; Exogenous Testosterone, Male Infertility; Spermatogenesis

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