The use of hormone stimulation in male infertility

Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2023 Feb:68:102333. doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102333. Epub 2022 Dec 27.

Abstract

Infertility affects 15% of couples worldwide and in approximately 50% of cases the cause is secondary to an abnormality of the sperm. However, treatment options for male infertility are limited and empirical use of hormone stimulation has been utilised. We review the contemporary data regarding the application of hormone stimulation to treat male infertility. There is strong evidence supporting the use of hormone stimulation in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism but there is inadequate evidence for all other indications.

Keywords: Aromatase Inhibitors; Azoospermia; Dopamine Agonists; Eugonadism; Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone; Gonadotropins; Hormone Stimulation Therapy; Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism; Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism; Male Infertility; Selective Oestrogen Receptor Modulators.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism* / complications
  • Hypogonadism* / drug therapy
  • Infertility, Male* / complications
  • Infertility, Male* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Semen

Substances

  • Hormones