Hormonal testosterone replacement therapy in young male patients with hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction after the past COVID-19


DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/therapy.2024.5.79-83

Beroeva M.R., Mkrtumyan A.M.

1) Republican Multidisciplinary Medical Center of the Republic of South Ossetia, Tskhinval; 2) Russian University of Medicine of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia, Moscow; 3) A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Research Center of the Department of Healthcare of Moscow
Abstract. In the modern world, negative after-effects of COVID-19 pandemic are being actively studied. New coronavirus infection aggressively affects many organs, including male reproductive system, binding to ACE 2 receptor on the surface of cells of the reproductive organs. The virus activates oxidative stress and hyperproduction of cytokines, which negatively affects testicular cells, causing hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction in young male individuals.
The aim: to estimate the possibility of hypogonadism correction and restoration of erectile function in young male patients underwent COVID-19 using a transdermal gel form of testosterone.
Material and methods. 104 male individuals aged 20–45 years were included in the study. The main group consisted of 75 patients who had COVID-19 in the past, control group – 29 healthy individuals. During the period of COVID-19 illness and after 12 weeks after the recovery, body mass index, levels of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones, total testosterone were determined, and the IIEF-5 questionnaire (International Index of Erectile Function) was used for erectile function assessment.
Results. 80% of male patients had a reduced total testosterone level (p < 0.01) during the period of COVID-19 disease. According to the results of the IIEF-5 questionnaire, in the main group with COVID-19, erectile dysfunction was detected in 81% of cases (p < 0.01). In 12 weeks after the recovery, 64% of the surveyed males had low levels of total testosterone (p < 0.01); according to the results of the IIEF-5 questionnaire, sexual disorders persisted in 44% (p < 0.01). During 12 weeks of transdermal gel testosterone replacement therapy, all examined male patients experienced a significant increase in testosterone levels (p < 0.01) and 100% satisfaction with erectile function (p < 0.01).
Conclusion. Testosterone replacement therapy improves total testosterone and sexual function in young male patients with hypogonadism arised after the past COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19, testosterone replacement therapy, erectile dysfunction, testosterone
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About the Autors

Monika R. Beroeva, MD, endocrinologist at the Republican Multidisciplinary Medical Center of the Republic of South Ossetia, applicant for the academic degree of PhD (Medicine) at the Department of endocrinology and diabetology of the Russian University of Medicine of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia. Address: 100001, Tskhinval, 78 Osetinskaya St.
E-mail: monicaberoeva@yandex.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8563-7838
Ashot M. Mkrtumyan, MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), professor, head of the Department of endocrinology and diabetology, Russian University of Medicine of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia, head of the Scientific Department of endocrine and metabolic disorders, A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Research Center of Moscow Healthcare Department. Address: 127006, Moscow, 4 Dolgorukovskaya St.
E-mail: vagrashot@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1316-5245


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