andrology

Andrology is a medical specialty focused on male health, particularly the reproductive system and male sexual function. It encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the testes, penis, male hormones, and fertility. While closely related to urology, andrology emphasizes reproductive and hormonal aspects of male health and often integrates endocrinology and reproductive medicine.

Key areas of andrology include male infertility, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, disorders of puberty, and penile or testicular conditions such as varicocele, undescended testes, and prostatitis. It also covers conditions like Peyronie’s disease and other disorders impacting sexual function and fertility in men.

Diagnosis generally combines medical history, physical examination, hormonal assessments (testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin), semen analysis, and targeted imaging or genetic testing when indicated. Evaluation may also involve assessment of fertility potential, testicular function, and overall health factors that influence reproductive capacity.

Management spans lifestyle modification and medical or surgical interventions. Treatments for erectile dysfunction include oral PDE5 inhibitors and alternative therapies. Hypogonadism may be addressed with testosterone replacement when appropriate. Infections are treated with antibiotics; varicoceles or other structural issues may require surgical or microsurgical approaches. For infertility, options range from medical therapy to assisted reproductive technologies, such as intrauterine insemination or IVF with ICSI, and fertility preservation techniques like sperm cryopreservation.

Professionals in andrology are typically urologists with specialized training in male reproductive medicine or dedicated andrologists working in multidisciplinary teams with endocrinologists and reproductive specialists.