[OA] Abdullah M. Is the reversibility of Anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism achievable? A systematic review.
(PDF) Is the reversibility of Anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism achievable? A systematic review
The abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) is a growing problem that is widely spread among teenagers and unprofessional gym attendees that use these substances usually for cosmetic purposes. The prevalence of AAS use worldwide is estimated to be 6.4 % in men and around 60,000 users are reported every year in the UK. AAS abuse is associated with many health complications. In this systematic review, the impact of these substances on male gonadotropins, including luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is critically investigated and reviewed.
A systematic review was conducted from 03/10/2016 to15/03/2017 using PubMed databases to investigate the effects of exogenous anabolic steroids on the reproductive organs. Relevant and primary references were screened for supported evidence and background information about the subject. Main outcomes included were: full clinical examination of AAS abusers, which were men of reproductive age. All the animal studies were excluded. Full clinical examination and assessment consisted of blood tests to measure gonadotropins (LH and FSH) and testosterone levels, as well as semen analysis including sperm count, concentration and morphology.
In total 30 papers including primary references passed the inclusion criteria and were assigned in this systematic review. All papers reported successful reversibility of the gonads after steroids cessation and some pregnancies were achieved with and without gonadotropins treatment. However, the recovery phase of gonadotropins were highly dependent on the amount of substances administrated and the duration of abuse, as some patients reported prolonged infertility problems after years of cessation. No permanent suppression of gonadotropins were reported.
It was concluded that the reversibility of suppressed gonadotropins is highly achievable especially when treated with human chronic gonadotropin (HCG) and human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) even with the severest cases. Therefore male infertility issues reported by AAS abusers should always be addressed and treated properly.
(PDF) Is the reversibility of Anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism achievable? A systematic review
The abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) is a growing problem that is widely spread among teenagers and unprofessional gym attendees that use these substances usually for cosmetic purposes. The prevalence of AAS use worldwide is estimated to be 6.4 % in men and around 60,000 users are reported every year in the UK. AAS abuse is associated with many health complications. In this systematic review, the impact of these substances on male gonadotropins, including luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is critically investigated and reviewed.
A systematic review was conducted from 03/10/2016 to15/03/2017 using PubMed databases to investigate the effects of exogenous anabolic steroids on the reproductive organs. Relevant and primary references were screened for supported evidence and background information about the subject. Main outcomes included were: full clinical examination of AAS abusers, which were men of reproductive age. All the animal studies were excluded. Full clinical examination and assessment consisted of blood tests to measure gonadotropins (LH and FSH) and testosterone levels, as well as semen analysis including sperm count, concentration and morphology.
In total 30 papers including primary references passed the inclusion criteria and were assigned in this systematic review. All papers reported successful reversibility of the gonads after steroids cessation and some pregnancies were achieved with and without gonadotropins treatment. However, the recovery phase of gonadotropins were highly dependent on the amount of substances administrated and the duration of abuse, as some patients reported prolonged infertility problems after years of cessation. No permanent suppression of gonadotropins were reported.
It was concluded that the reversibility of suppressed gonadotropins is highly achievable especially when treated with human chronic gonadotropin (HCG) and human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) even with the severest cases. Therefore male infertility issues reported by AAS abusers should always be addressed and treated properly.
