[The testosterone therapy in patients with andropause]

Abstract

Andropause affects millions of men worldwide. The importance of this condition results not only from the aging process in contemporary societies, but also from raising awareness concerning its causes and symptoms. In recent years, the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of andropause have been better known. The huge progress made in better understanding of this condition has thrown a new light on the management of patients with andropause. Unfortunately, the results of so far conducted studies are incoherent what makes it difficult to establish indications for the therapy and the time of beginning of testosterone supplementation. Apart from providing the reader with the scheme of treatment, the paper is aimed to discuss potentially beneficial and harmful effects of testosterone supplementation on various organs and life functions altered by age-related changes.