2018 review on HPTA recovery and fertility post-AAS use.
Some key points...
- Prolonged hypogonadism (clinically low testosterone) is common among ex-AAS users
- AAS-induced hypogonadism is the most common cause of 'profound hypogonadism' (total testosterone <50ng/dl), especially in men less than 50 years old
- It is possible that some synthetic androgens have irreversible
toxic effects on the testes, which may explain why
some AAS users have persistent hypogonadism
even after recovery of hypothalamic and pituitary functions
- HPTA recovery following cessation of AAS use may be prolonged; during this period, endogenous testosterone production remains reduced
- Recent study reported that among long-term AAS misusers, AAS-withdrawal hypogonadism appears to be common and under-recognized, frequently prolonged and associated with substantial morbidity
- another cross-sectional study from Denmark suggested that former AAS abusers had decreased serum testosterone levels and hypogonadal symptoms years after AAS cessation
- duration of AAS use was strongly associated with decreased levels of inhibin B and serum anti-Mullerian hormone, suggesting that the extent of abuse may increase the risk
of permanent fertility impairment
- Following AAS withdrawal, gonadotropin levels gradually increased to reach the levels prior to AAS use after a period of
13–24 weeks, whereas serum testosterone remained
lower compared with baseline
- testosterone used as hormonal contraceptive in men demonstrated a 67% probability of sperm recovery within 6 months and 100% within 24 months
- There is evidence that HCG and SERMs may be helpful in restoring spermatogenesis in men with testosterone-related infertility
- the use of PCT drugs may prolong underlying hypothalamic suppression and further delay recovery from AAS use
http://sci-hub.tw/http://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=01266029-900000000-99395
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk