Testosterone Therapy Improves Sexual Function, Quality of Life in Hypogonadal Men

Long-term testosterone therapy significantly improves urinary function, sexual function, and quality of life in hypogonadal men, according to a recent study.

In their study, the researchers assessed 656 men with symptoms of hypogonadism and total testosterone levels of 12.1 nmol/L or less. Patients’ mean age was 60.7 years. A total of 360 men were assigned to the testosterone-treated group and received a 12-week course of 1000 mg parenteral T undecanoate for up to 10 years, while 296 men who opted against testosterone therapy were assigned to the control group. Additionally, 82 patients from each group (n = 164) were propensity-matched by age, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI), resulting in 82 matched pairs.
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Data obtained during the study was analyzed, and the estimated differences between each group were adjusted for components of metabolic syndrome and quality of life.

Results demonstrated significant decreases in the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and post-voiding bladder volume among patients in the testosterone-treated group but not in the control group. The researchers also observed significant improvement in the international index of erectile function-erectile function domain (IIEF-EF) in the testosterone-treated group but not in the control group. This was maintained throughout follow-up.

“Long-term [testosterone therapy] in hypogonadal men resulted in significant improvements in urinary and sexual function and in [quality of life].” the researchers concluded. “In untreated hypogonadal men, voiding and erectile functions deteriorated with continued follow-up.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Haider KS, Haider A, Doros G, Traish A. Long-term testosterone therapy improves urinary and sexual function and quality of life in men with hypogonadism: Results from a propensity-matched subgroup of a controlled registry study [Published online July 18, 2017]. J Urol. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2017.07.039.