andrological

Andrological is an adjective relating to andrology, the medical field devoted to male health and male reproductive function. Andrology encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the male reproductive system, sexual function, and hormonal health. Clinicians who practice or study andrology may work in general urology, reproductive medicine, endocrinology, or sexual medicine, and collaborate with fertility specialists.

Key areas include assessment of male infertility, evaluation of erectile dysfunction, and management of hypogonadism, testicular disorders, penile conditions, and disorders of the male hormonal axis. Diagnostic work often begins with a detailed history and physical examination, followed by laboratory testing such as semen analysis, serum testosterone and gonadotropin levels, prolactin, and, when indicated, genetic tests or scrotal ultrasound.

Treatment strategies vary by condition and may involve lifestyle modification, medical therapy (for example, PDE5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction; testosterone replacement therapy for hypogonadism; gonadotropin therapy for certain forms of infertility), and surgical options (varicocelectomy, vasectomy reversal, penile prosthesis, or treatment of tumors). In infertility care, assisted reproductive techniques such as intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection may be used.

Historically andrology has grown with advances in endocrinology, urology, and reproductive technology. The term andrological is derived from andrology, from Greek andros meaning man and -logia meaning study.