The effect of testosterone supplementation on BMD and the risk of falls or fracture remains inconclusive .
However , supplementation may benefit patients in the areas of sexual function and quality of life without increasing the risk of cardiovascular events , all-cause mortality , or prostatic events .
Testosterone deficiency ( TD ) may induce a series of clinical symptoms .
Studies have shown that testosterone supplementation may prevent these unfavourable symptoms and improve patients ’ quality of life .
Given the conflicting findings across studies , this systematic review aims to evaluate the effects and risks associated with testosterone supplementation in middle-aged or aging males with TD .
Effect of testosterone therapy on lumbar spine and hip mineral density in elderly men
Objective . The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of testosterone therapy  on bone mineral density in healthy elderly men who had low levels of total testosterone . Design . R and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study . Participants . Forty-eight men over 60 years old with decreased testosterone levels ( ≤320 ng/dL ) comprised the study . Twenty-five out of 48 received intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate every three weeks during 12 months ; the remaining 23 participants formed the control group . All participants had measurements of bone mineral density ( BMD ) in both lumbar spine and hip before and at the end of the study as well as testosterone and 17-β estradiol levels . Results : Testosterone treated group exhibited a significant ( p < 0.05 ) increment ( from 1.198 ± 0.153 to 1.240 ± 0.141 g/cm2 ) in lumbar BMD in parallel with a significant ( p < 0.001 ) increment ( from 301 ± 32 to 471 ± 107 ng/dL ) in testosterone concentrations , whereas no significant change occurred in femoral neck BMD . Conclusions . Testosterone therapy elicited a positive effect only in lumbar BMD in elderly men with diminished testosterone serum levels
The effect of testosterone supplementation on BMD and the risk of falls or fracture remains inconclusive .
However , supplementation may benefit patients in the areas of sexual function and quality of life without increasing the risk of cardiovascular events , all-cause mortality , or prostatic events .
Testosterone deficiency ( TD ) may induce a series of clinical symptoms .
Studies have shown that testosterone supplementation may prevent these unfavourable symptoms and improve patients ’ quality of life .
Given the conflicting findings across studies , this systematic review aims to evaluate the effects and risks associated with testosterone supplementation in middle-aged or aging males with TD .