Emerging medication for the treatment of male hypogonadism.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic methodology or original data.
PubMed 27552127 · doi:10.1080/14728214.2016.1226799
What was done
This narrative review synthesized the available literature regarding standard testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) formulations and alternative pharmacologic options for managing male hypogonadism across different clinical presentations.
What was found
The abstract presents no quantitative data. It outlines clinical roles for standard transdermal gels, injectables, and depot formulations of testosterone undecanoate. For adolescents or patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism seeking fertility preservation, gonadotropins are noted to stimulate testicular growth and spermatogenesis. Off-label clomiphene citrate and aromatase inhibitors are discussed to stimulate LH, FSH, and testosterone in obese men or those at high risk for standard TRT. Selective androgen receptor modulators are identified as potential options for men at high risk of prostate disease, though the authors note these lack high-level evidence.
Why it matters
It categorizes tailored therapeutic alternatives for hypogonadal men who cannot use or tolerate conventional testosterone replacement, particularly those needing fertility maintenance.
Limits
The paper is a non-systematic narrative review providing no quantitative synthesis, formal search protocol, or direct patient data. Several discussed alternatives (clomiphene, aromatase inhibitors, SARMs) rely on off-label use or limited clinical trial evidence.
Cited by
- supports Primary hypogonadism cannot be treated or resolved with clomiphene, hCG, or hMG because the testes cannot produce testosterone in response to signaling.