Peroral Use of Methyl Testosterone in Testicular Deficiency
Abstract
The effects of androgenic hormone therapy have been studied rather completely within the past few years, not only in testicular deficiency but also in such conditions in women as menorrhagia, the climacteric, and for the inhibition of lactation.
In eunuchoidism or eunuchism the typical effects of androgens include increase in libido sexualis, in potence, energy, growth of the external and internal genitalia, stimulation of growth of secondary sexual characteristics, and if the dose is sufficient, the rate of epiphyseal closure increases. Where sperms are present, continued large doses of testosterone propionate tend to suppress their production. In addition, there are certain metabolic effects which include retention of sodium, chloride, nitrogen, and water, with an accompanying gain in body weight1. There is evidence also that some elevation of the basal metabolic rate exists, although to date this is less definite.
Most striking clinical effects have been produced by the intramuscular use of testosterone propionate in oil in doses approximating 10 to 50 mg. a day or on alternate days. Apart from depression of sperm production2 and the possibility of too rapid epiphyseal closure, no harmful effects of consequence have been reported. In women, production of masculinization is an obstacle to its free use.
The evidence that good clinical results can be obtained by percutaneous administration of androgens is not impressive. Vest3 has shown clearly in cases of eunuchoidism that excellent results can be obtained by the subcutaneous implantation of pellets of testosterone. Foss4 reported the successful clinical use of peroral methyl . . .
