Lingering effects of testosterone injections lead to long delay in recovery of male reproductive function

Handelsman DJ, Desai R, Conway AJ, Shankara-Narayana N, Stuckey BG, Inder WJ, Grossmann M, Yeap BB, Jesudason D, Ly LP, Bracken K, Wittert GA Recovery of Male Reproductive Function After Ceasing Prolonged Testosterone Undecanoate Injections. Eur J Endocrinol. 2022 Jan 1:EJE-21-0608.R2. doi: 10.1530/EJE-21-0608. Online ahead of print.PMID: 35000898
Contact: Gary Wittert

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ABSTRACT

This study investigated the rate, extent, and determinants of reproductive hormone recovery over 12 months after stopping TU injections.

After completing a 2-year placebo(P)-controlled randomized clinical trial of TU treatment, 303 participants were recruited for a further 12 months while remaining blinded to treatment. Sex steroids and sexual function questionnaires were measured at entry (three months after last injection) and 6, 12, 18, 24, 40 and 52 weeks later.

Conclusions were that after stopping 2 years of 1000 mg injectable TU treatment, full reproductive hormone recovery is slow and progressive over 15 months since last testosterone injection but may take longer than 12 months to be complete.