| name | icsm-avoid-tt-for-fathering |
| description | This skill advises against initiating testosterone therapy in men who express a desire for future fathering, as exogenous testosterone suppresses spermatogenesis and can lead to infertility. It is triggered when a patient reports wanting children and the clinician contemplates prescribing testosterone, raising the question of whether testosterone therapy is safe for future fertility or should be avoided. |
Avoid testosterone therapy in men seeking fathering
STEP 1 — Gather Information
Assess patient’s reproductive goals: explicitly ask about desire for fathering now or in the future. Document baseline total testosterone, symptoms of hypogonadism, and any prior fertility evaluation.
STEP 2 — Rule In / Rule Out
Does the patient desire fathering?
- Yes → proceed to Step 3 (contraindication for testosterone).
- No → evaluate standard indications for testosterone therapy per other guidelines.
STEP 3 — Classify or Stratify
If desire for fathering is present: classify as testosterone therapy contraindicated due to spermatogenic suppression.
If no desire for fathering: proceed to assess eligibility for testosterone therapy based on symptomatic hypogonadism and low testosterone levels.
STEP 4 — Decide
If contraindicated: avoid testosterone therapy and discuss fertility‑preserving alternatives (e.g., hCG, FSH, SERMs, aromatase inhibitors).
If not contraindicated: consider testosterone therapy if symptomatic and testosterone <12 nmol/L, following shared decision‑making.
Clinical Guardrails / Mimics / Pitfalls
Do not prescribe testosterone to men seeking fertility; it reliably suppresses LH/FSH and spermatogenesis, often causing azoospermia.
Avoid assuming that low testosterone alone justifies therapy when fertility is desired.
Be aware that recovery of spermatogenesis after stopping testosterone can take 3–24 months.
Do not rely on testosterone monotherapy for fertility; use gonadotropin‑based regimens instead.
Concrete Clinical Example
A 32‑year‑old man presents with decreased libido and total testosterone 8 nmol/L. He states he and his partner are trying to conceive. The clinician notes his desire for fathering, avoids testosterone, and initiates hCG 1500 IU three times weekly to stimulate endogenous testosterone and spermatogenesis.
Source: Male hypogonadism: recommendations from the Fifth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM 2024), International Society for Sexual Medicine, 2025, DOI: 10.1093/sxmrev/qeaf036
