[Clinical study of 62 patients with symptoms of male climacterium]

We prospectively reviewed the records of 62 patients who had sought evaluation at our hospital with a chief complaint of male climacteric symptoms. Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH)-related symptoms were evaluated during the initial visit based on the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) score, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) -5 score, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Laboratory and endocrinologic testing, including the free testosterone (FT) level, was performed with blood samples collected before 10 : 00 am. The AMS psychological and CES-D scores in patients with a FT ＞8.5 pg/ml were significantly higher than those in patients with a FT ≦8.5 pg/ml. The study included 32 patients who were diagnosed with LOH (FT ≦8.5 pg/ml) and treated with androgen replacement therapy (ART). The total, somatic, psychological, and sexual scores of the AMS were significantly decreased after the third intramuscular administration of testosterone enanthate; there were no serious complications. Because a significant proportion of depressed patients may be amongst the patients with aging male's symptoms, it is important to consider depression in the exclusion diagnosis during a clinical examination for LOH.