Subcutaneous administration of testosterone. A pilot study report.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Reproductive Health
• Men's Health

Background:

• Intramuscular testosterone injections are the standard for testosterone replacement therapy but can be inconvenient.
• Hypogonadal men often seek more accessible and less invasive treatment options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and patient experience of low-dose subcutaneous testosterone enanthate administration.
• To compare subcutaneous delivery with the established intramuscular route for testosterone replacement therapy.

Main Methods:

• A study involving men with primary and secondary hypogonadism was conducted.
• Participants self-administered weekly low-dose testosterone enanthate via subcutaneous injection using an insulin syringe.
• Patient data on testosterone levels and local reactions were collected.

Main Results:

• Twenty-two hypogonadal men were enrolled in the study.
• Mean trough and peak total testosterone levels were within the normal physiological range.
• Mean trough and peak free testosterone levels were also within normal ranges.
• All patients reported ease of self-administration with no local reactions.

Conclusions:

• Weekly subcutaneous testosterone administration is an effective and well-tolerated method for achieving normal testosterone levels.
• This subcutaneous route is a cheap, safe, and less painful alternative to intramuscular injections.
• This study is the first to demonstrate the efficacy of weekly subcutaneous testosterone delivery.