Testosterone, aging and quality of life.

Testosterone levels decline over the lifespan. Many symptoms of hypogonadism are similar to age-related changes in older males. A small number of studies have suggested that some of these symptoms may be reversed by testosterone. Among them, one trial has suggested that decline in bioavailable testosterone may be related to the development of functional decline. Testosterone replacement during rehabilitation may improve functional outcomes and plays an important role in the maintenance of sexual related quality of life. The overall improvement in well-being and/or health-related quality of life in older males needs to be determined with large placebo-controlled trials. This is particularly important in view of the substantial placebo effect on aging symptomatology.