[Testosterone replacement therapy for male hypogonadism: a view from the 21st century]

The prevalence of symptomatic post-pubertal hypogonadism in men 40-79 is 2,1-5,7% and increases with age. The aim of testosterone replacement therapy is to restore testosterone levels in blood plasma to normal physiological averages and provide numerous positive clinical effects: improved sexual function, reduced symptoms of depression, improved mood, normalization of the muscle-fat ratio of body composition and bone mineral density, and many others. The recommendations of various testosterone therapy manuals did not allow us to form an unambiguous opinion on the safety of long-term testosterone replacement therapy. The main purpose of the present work is to analyze the effectiveness of testosterone replacement therapy in the treatment of the main symptoms of post-pubertal hypogonadism, its effect on concomitant somatic pathology, safety and a reasonable choice of the dosage form of the testosterone preparation.