Testosterone: The Male HRT for Andropause

Endogenous Testosterone Maintains BMD

Naturally occurring testosterone clearly has a beneficial role on bone mineral density (BMD). Hypogonadal men are at higher risk of hip fracture, and experience vertebral and cortical bone loss, with reduced cortical, vertebral and trabecular bone densities.^[1]

As the life expectancy of men increases, so too does the clinical significance of loss of bone mass.

As early as 1948, it was noted that testosterone replacement therapy reduced total calcium excretion.^[4] Over 40 years later, testosterone replacement therapy for 6 to 8 months was shown to increase spinal BMD in all elderly hypogonadal osteopenic men (mean age 61 years).^[5] More recently still, testosterone was found to not only increase spinal BMD (5%), but also trabecular BMD (14%).^[6]

The beneficial effect of testosterone on BMD occurs independent of its route of administration, with transdermal and intramuscular therapy being similarly effective.^[7]

© 2000 Adis Data Information BV

Cite this: Testosterone: The Male HRT for Andropause - Medscape - Nov 01, 2000.