Percutaneous absorption of 5α‐dihydrotestosterone in man

The particularities of percutaneous absorption of a natural androgen, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, were evaluated in substitutive androgen therapy in masculine hypogonadism. Nine men presenting idiopathic haemochromatosis complicated by severe hypogonadism were treated with percutaneous administration of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (125 mg/day) for 5 months. Plasma levels of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol are greatly increased by treatment (from 0.86 to 18.39 nmol/l and 0.16 to 3.40 nmol/l, respectively). There is no modification of testosterone and oestradiol-17 beta. Double blind study demonstrated the direct stimulating effect of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone on sexual behaviour and psychism. Hepatic and metabolic tolerance was excellent in these patients, despite the preceding deleterious effects of the iron excess. The percutaneous route is original, practical and improves the androgen therapy of hypogonadism in men.