Androgen Treatment for Hypogonadism Poses Risks

The sexual performance aspects of low testosterone get most of the media coverage, with dozens of commercials advertising dozens of products nationwide. Various supplements and medications have been marketed as sexually enhancing for decades. But only recently have the full implications of low testosterone been recognized by medical practitioners.

Hypogonadism is the clinical term for when the male body fails to produce enough testosterone, or has an impaired ability to produce sperm. Hypogonadism can onset at any stage of life, from the fetal stage all the way through late adulthood, with many adult onset cases associated with injury.

The side effects of hypogonadism are significant, and include:

• Infertility
• Osteoporosis
• Chronic fatigue

Once hypogonadism is diagnosed, androgens are often prescribed to stimulate the body to produce a sufficient amount of testosterone. Though androgens are very effective at stimulating the production of testosterone, they are not without their own side effects, some of which are significantly more acute than the symptoms of hypogonadism itself.

Among the most dangerous side effects of androgen exposure are heart attack, stroke, and pulmonary embolism, all of which can be fatal. When a doctor prescribes androgens, fully educating patients on these risk factors is important, as is educating the patient and their family on early warning signs of all three of these potentially deadly diseases. Stroke, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism have much better outcomes when diagnosed and treated quickly.

Unfortunately, many physicians do not take this obligation seriously, and many people prescribed androgen are not aware of the deadly side effects until it is too late. If you or someone you love has suffered a serious disease or other side effect due to the use of androgens to treat hypogonadism, please consult with an experienced attorney regarding your case.