Androgen therapy in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism: time course of erotosexual functions.

This study was designed to assess the duration of androgen's effects on male sexuality to recommend an optimal therapeutic regime. Nine young men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism were repeatedly tested for 9 weeks after an i.m. dose of a Depo-testosterone preparation. Testing included self-rating of sexuality and recording of penile tumescence during sleep and during pornographic film, slides, and self-induced fantasy. Although serum testosterone decreased to subnormal levels by the fourth week, erectile strength, according to self-report, became subnormal by the eighth week, whereas other reported parameters remained unchanged. Erectile response to erotic stimulations remained unchanged for the entire 9 weeks. Nocturnal erections were supranormal for the first 2-4 weeks and normalized thereafter. Testosterone's effect on male sexuality seems to persist beyond the period of normal serum testosterone. Treatment can, therefore, be given bimonthly.