[Hypogonadism and delayed puberty. Indications for androgen treatment in adolescents]

Testosterone and synthetic androgens were once used somewhat uncritically; on account of the undesired side effects that are now known to occur, however, they should be employed very selectively, in particular in the young patient. Although the main indication is primary hypogonadism, they are also employed in the treatment of gonadotropin deficiency and constitutionally delayed growth and development. While, for the treatment of congenital anorchism a therapeutic scheme could be developed which closely approximated the physiological conditions, no generally applicable treatment schemes could be established for other forms of primary hypogonadism. In the case of constitutional retardation of growth and development, treatment is not indicated, for somatic reasons, although severe psychosomatic disturbances may make treatment necessary in many cases.