Med. praxi. 2026;23(4):269-273 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2026.034

Male hypogonadism in general practice: from risk factors to testosterone therapy

MUDr. Marcela Fontana, Ph.D.^{1, 2}, MUDr. Marek Broul, Ph.D.^3-5

¹ Urocentrum Praha, Praha

² Urologická klinika 2. LF UK a FN Motol a Homolka, Praha

³ Sexuologické oddělení, Krajská zdravotní, a.s. - Masarykova nemocnice v Ústí nad Labem, o. z., Ústí nad Labem

⁴ Urologické oddělení, Krajská zdravotní, a. s. - Nemocnice Litoměřice, o. z., Litoměřice

⁵ Fakulta zdravotnických studií, Univerzita Jana Evangelisty Purkyně v Ústí nad Labem, Ústí nad Labem

Male hypogonadism is a clinical syndrome whose diagnosis requires both compatible symptoms and repeatedly confirmed low testosterone concentrations. In adult men, particularly at older age, hypogonadism is often functional and is mainly associated with obesity, metabolic and other chronic diseases, or medication. General practitioners have a key role in recognizing sexual symptoms, arranging standardized laboratory testing, identifying reversible causes, and referring patients to a specialist when indicated. Testosterone therapy is reserved for men with confirmed symptomatic hypogonadism. It may improve libido and mild erectile dysfunction, but it is not a treatment for nonspecific fatigue or a means of increasing vitality in eugonadal men. Safe treatment requires pretreatment assessment of fertility, prostate health, haematocrit, and cardiovascular risk, followed by regular monitoring.

Keywords: testosterone, hypogonadism, late-onset hypogonadism, androgen deficiency, testosterone therapy, sexual dysfunction.

Accepted: August 24, 2026; Published: October 14, 2026  Show citation