PERORAL USE OF METHYL TESTOSTERONE

Testosterone and its derivatives have been in clinical use for the past four years, during which time their value in the treatment of testicular deficiency has become firmly established. The dramatic effects produced in eunuchs and eunuchoid patients have been reported by numerous investigators.¹ It is now recognized that these synthetic hormones have little effect in the presence of adequate testicular function and they are of value only as substitutive therapy for patients whose testicles are secreting an insufficient amount of hormone.² The etiology of the testicular deficiency may be one of many; viz., lack of proper pituitary function, inherent underdevelopment of the testicle, surgical and traumatic injuries to the testicle or its blood supply, and senility. The symptoms and physical characteristics of testicular deficiency have been fully described in previous publications.

The method of administration of these valuable hormones has been a major problem. Early studies revealed