Response from Dr. Frascino
Hi,
Can AndroGel (or any testosterone supplementation for that matter) cause diminished testicular volume? Yes, it can.
The real question here is are you using testosterone supplementation for an appropriate medical indication? In other words, do you have hypogonadism (low serum testosterone levels)? If so, then testosterone supplementation is warranted, even in light of the risk of testicular shrinkage! Hypogonadism is a medical condition that is associated with its own set of symptoms, including fatigue, decreased libido, decreases muscle mass, and depressed mood. These symptoms generally outweigh the potential risk of demoting Sergeant Ryan's privates (so to speak).
If you are using "roids" like the Governator did in the past merely to look better naked and get a better pump at they gym, and do not have a true medical indication, then shrinking your nuts to the size of tic-tacs really isn't worth the risk. Other risks of testosterone supplementation include hair loss, acne, worsening of prostate cancer among others.
Is the side effect reversible? Whether or not you can get your "thigh slappers" back again remains open to question. Some doctors have tried using cycles of Arimidex (anastrozole) or other estrogen blockers in combination with the HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) followed by followed by Clomid combined with Arimidex. If you are concerned, you could consider seeing an HIV knowledgeable endocrinologist or urologist.
Should you "cycle?" If you're hypogonadal, merely cycling off testosterone doesn't really make much sense, because when you stop the needed supplemental testosterone, your low-testosterone symptoms will recur quickly. If you are a gym bunny who doesn't need the supplemental "vitamin T" in the first place, cycling becomes a moot point, because the risk of using testosterone inappropriately outweighs the potential benefits from the get-go.
Hope that helps. You can check the archives in both this and the Fatigue and Anemia forums for more detailed information.
Good luck.
Dr. Bob
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