Prevalence of anabolic androgenic steroid use, its effect on the male pituitary-gonadal axis, and the possibility of reproductive rehabilitation

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to assess the prevalence of AA steroid use, to identify the steroids that are used, and to present the negative effects of AA steroids on the human body while describing the mechanisms of their actions on the male reproductive system. The review highlights the diagnostic features of steroid-induced hypogonadism, and assesses the effectiveness of various drugs in the reproductive rehabilitation of patients who cease taking AA steroids. Emphasis is placed on the feasibility and effectiveness of various drug treatments in the context of post cycle therapy (PCT), which seeks to stabilize and restore normal hormonal function. All this data is necessary for the development of modern treatment algorithms for steroid-induced hypogonadism in men.