Persistent primary hypogonadism associated with anabolic steroid abuse.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of primary gonadal failure due to the chronic abuse of anabolic steroids used for bodybuilding.

DESIGN: Case report.

SETTING: Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.

PATIENT(S): A 40-year-old man.

INTERVENTION(S): None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical symptoms, levels of serum T, FSH, and LH.

RESULT(S): Primary gonadal failure resulting from anabolic steroid use.

CONCLUSION(S): We describe a case of initially secondary gonadal failure resulting from anabolic steroid use with subsequent primary gonadal failure and infertility. This case adds to the current literature and illustrates that the side effects of anabolic steroids can be prolonged and irreversible.