Andrology

Abstract

Andrology is an interdisciplinary medical specialty that primarily deals with the reproductive health of men. In addition to diagnosis and therapy in cases of an unfulfilled desire to have children (infertility), endocrine dysfunction of the testis (hypogonadism), including age-related aspects (puberty, senescence), sexual disorders (erectile dysfunction), and diseases of the male breast (gynecomastia) are important issues in andrology. Basic knowledge of andrological diseases and their sequelae should be available in every field of medicine. This becomes particularly evident when possible adverse effects of drugs, other exogenous noxae, or surgical procedures on male fertility have to be considered and options for the cryopreservation of germ cells (fertility protection) should be provided. Moreover, impairment of testicular and/or sexual functions can be a harbinger of systemic diseases or aggravated by comorbidities.