Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2016
Journal
PLoS One
Volume
11
Issue
9
Inclusive Pages
e0162480
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0162480
Abstract
Testosterone products are recommended by some prescribers in response to a diagnosis or presumption of “low testosterone” (low-T) for cardiovascular health, sexual function, muscle weakness or wasting, mood and behavior, and cognition. We performed a systematic review of 156 eligible randomized controlled trials in which testosterone was compared to placebo for one or more of these conditions. We included studies in bibliographic databases between January 1, 1950 and April 9, 2016, and excluded studies involving bodybuilding, contraceptive effectiveness, or treatment of any condition in women or children. Studies with multiple relevant endpoints were included in all relevant tables. Testosterone supplementation did not show consistent benefit for cardiovascular risk, sexual function, mood and behavior, or cognition. Studies that examined clinical cardiovascular endpoints have not favored testosterone therapy over placebo. Testosterone is ineffective in treating erectile dysfunction and controlled trials did not show a consistent effect on libido. Testosterone supplementation consistently increased muscle strength but did not have beneficial effects on physical function. Most studies on mood-related endpoints found no beneficial effect of testosterone treatment on personality, psychological well-being, or mood. The prescription of testosterone supplementation for low-T for cardiovascular health, sexual function, physical function, mood, or cognitive function is without support from randomized clinical trials.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
APA Citation
Huo, S., Scialli, A. R., McGarvey, S., Hill, E., Tügertimur, B., Hogenmiller, A., Hirsch, A. I., & Fugh-Berman, A. (2016). Treatment of Men for “Low Testosterone”: A Systematic Review. PLoS One, 11 (9). http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0162480
Peer Reviewed
1
Open Access
1
Included in
Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists Commons, Medical Pharmacology Commons, Medical Physiology Commons, Pharmacology Commons, Physiology Commons
Comments
Reproduced with permission of PLoS ONE.