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Successful treatment of anabolic steroid–induced

Skip to main contentSkip to article View PDF Open archive Abstract Objective To document for the first time the successful treatment using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) of anabolic steroid–induced azoospermia that was persistent despite 1 year of cessation from steroid use. Design Clinical case report. Setting Tertiary referral center for infertility. Patient(s) A married couple with primary subfertility secondary to azoospermia and male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The husband was a bodybuilder who admitted to have used the anabolic steroids testosterone cypionate, methandrostenolone, oxandrolone, testosterone propionate, oxymetholone, nandrolone decanoate, and methenolone enanthate. Intervention(s) Twice-weekly injections of 10,000 IU of hCG (Profasi; Serono) and daily injections of 75 IU of hMG (Humegon; Organon) for 3 months. Main outcome measure(s) Semen analyses, pregnancy. Result(s) Semen analyses returned to normal after 3 months

Context first

Study findings do not automatically establish clinical benefit, safety, dosing, or suitability for an individual.

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Abstract

Objective

To document for the first time the successful treatment using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) of anabolic steroid–induced azoospermia that was persistent despite 1 year of cessation from steroid use.

Design

Clinical case report.

Setting

Tertiary referral center for infertility.

Patient(s)

A married couple with primary subfertility secondary to azoospermia and male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The husband was a bodybuilder who admitted to have used the anabolic steroids testosterone cypionate, methandrostenolone, oxandrolone, testosterone propionate, oxymetholone, nandrolone decanoate, and methenolone enanthate.

Intervention(s)

Twice-weekly injections of 10,000 IU of hCG (Profasi; Serono) and daily injections of 75 IU of hMG (Humegon; Organon) for 3 months.

Main outcome measure(s)

Semen analyses, pregnancy.

Result(s)

Semen analyses returned to normal after 3 months of treatment. The couple conceived spontaneously 7 months later.

Conclusion(s)

Steroid-induced azoospermia that is persistent after cessation of steroid use can be treated successfully with hCG and hMG.

Keywords

Anabolic steroid

azoospermia

human chorionic gonadotropin

human menopausal gonadotropin

Copyright © 2003 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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