The aim of therapy in hypogonadal men is to restore, or bring to normal, male secondary sexual characteristics (beard, body hair, external genitalia) (Fig. 11.48) and male sexual behaviour, and to mimic the hormonal effects on somatic development (haemoglobin, muscle mass, nitrogen balance, and epiphysial closure). Since an assay for plasma testosterone is available for monitoring therapy, the treatment of androgen deficiency is almost universally successful. The parenteral administration of a long-acting testosterone ester, such as 100-200mg testosterone enanthate at one- to three-week intervals, results in a sustained increase in plasma testosterone levels to the normal male range.
