INTRODUCTION: Male testosterone deficiency is associated with bad sexual function and quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to determine whether a daily dose of 25 mg clomiphene citrate (CC) is effective in stimulating the endogenous testosterone production pathway and to address the applicability of this medication as a therapeutic option for symptomatic hypogonadism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study. Men with low sexual desire and testosterone levels (T) below 400 ng/dL were selected to receive CC. Blood samples were obtained to determine baseline measurements of serum T, estradiol, LH, lipid profile and fasting plasma glucose. Each patient was treated with a daily dose of 25 mg CC for at least 3 months. Patients were asked if they experienced any side effects related to the use of CC and if they experienced any improvement in their sexual profile. Paired samples T-test was utilized to analyze responses to therapy. RESULTS: Our cohort consisted of 125 men with hypogonadism and low libido. Mean age was 62 years (± 11.1 years). Serum T levels ranged from 309 ng/dL (baseline, mean value) to 642 ng/dL (3 months after CC initiation, mean value) (p < 0.001). Serum cholesterol levels ranged from 197 to 186 mg/dL (p = 0.003). There were no statistically significant differences when comparing pre and post-treatment HDL-Cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose and prolactin. All men reported improvements in the post-treatment QoL scores. No serious adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The CC was effective in stimulating the endogenous production of testosterone. A lower level of total cholesterol was verified after three months of treatment. This medication should be considered as a therapeutic option for some patients with symptomatic male testosterone deficiency.

PURPOSE: Peyronie's disease is an acquired connective tissue disorder of the penile tunica albuginea with fibrosis and inflammation. The disease produces palpable plaques, penile curvature and pain during erections. Usually it results in impairment of the quality of life. Our objective is to review the long-term results of the albugineal grafting harvested from the penile crura for the treatment of severe penile curvature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with Peyronie's disease were submitted to a grafting with tunica albuginea from the penile crura for the correction of penile curvature. The results were evaluated after 6 months of the procedure. Variables studied were overall satisfaction with the procedure, correction of the penile curvature, erectile capacity, penile shortening and the presence of surgical complications. RESULTS: Mean follow-up after surgery was 41 months. Complete correction of the curvature was achieved in 30 patients (90%). The mean preoperative curvature was 91.8 degrees and median plaque length was 2 cm (ranged from 1 to 5 cm). Three patients (9%) experienced recurrence of the penile curvature and required a new procedure. In 30 men (90%) the procedure fulfilled their expectations and in 31 patients (93.9%) their opinions were that sexual partners were satisfied with the penile correction. Penile shortening or augmentation was referred in 6 (18.1%) and 1 (3%) patient, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our series demonstrated that grafting the albugineal defect after incision of the tunica albuginea with tunica from the crus for the correction of penile curvature is safe and results in satisfactory straight erections duringa long-term follow-up.

O hipogonadismo é uma síndrome clínica e bioquímica que pode estar associada a um prejuízo significativo na qualidade de vida (QoL) do homem. Com o aumento na expectativa de vida e sobrevida do câncer prostático (CaP), espera-se um número maior de diagnósticos de hipogonadismo em homens submetidos ao tratamento potencialmente curativo do CaP. Apesar da contraindicação clássica do emprego de terapia de reposição com testosterona (TRT) em homens com diagnóstico ou suspeita de CaP, não há evidência convincente de que a normalização dos níveis de testosterona séricos em homens com baixos níveis seja deletéria. Em poucas séries de casos que descreveram a TRT após o tratamento do CaP, não houve casos de progressão clínica ou bioquímica do tumor. Não obstante a literatura seja limitada, os dados disponíveis sugerem que a TRT pode ser considerada em homens hipogonádicos selecionados, previamente tratados curativamente para o CaP de baixo risco e sem evidência de doença ativa.

Hypogonadism is a clinical and biochemical syndrome which may cause significant detriment in the quality of life. With the increase in life expectancy and prostate cancer survival a significant increase in the number of men with hypogonadism who have undergone presumably curative treatment for PCa is anticipated. Despite the widespread contraindication of testosterone in men with known or suspected prostate cancer, there is no convincing evidence that the normalization of testosterone serum levels in men with low, but not castrate levels, is deleterious. Although further studies are necessary before definitive conclusions can be drawn, the available evidence suggests that testosterone replacement therapy can be cautiously considered in selected hypogonadal men treated with curative intent for low risk prostate cancer and without evidence of active disease.