Endocrine Abstracts

Context

Although in the past andrological health has been a poorly addressed topic due to historical and cultural reasons, in recent times male reproductive and sexual health has emerged as a main healthcare issue. Young male subjects could suffer from various andrological problems, as cryptorchidism, varicocele, sexual dysfunctions, sexually transmitted infections, testicular cancers. Early finding and treatment are fundamental, especially because if some conditions are not promptly recognized, they are managed later with greater complexity. The identification of early risk factors, including modifiable ones, involved in the development of andrological disorders is extremely important and adolescence is a key time. Despite all this, there is still a clear gender gap in research and prevention programs for reproductive health and sexuality.

Objective

It is essential to provide health programs aiming to: 1) inform and educate young people about andrological prevention; 2) early detection of andrological pathologies.

Methods

In Italy, some information campaigns and programs focusing on andrological prevention have been made. An example is the national andrological health surveillance project named “Amico-Andrologo (AA)”, which is conducted by the Sapienza, University of Rome and the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine in the final year of high school. During the onsite visit, all subjects are invited to complete an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire and, if willing, to undergo a voluntary andrological examination performed by trained clinicians, who also provide all students informative material about andrological prevention issues.

Results

During the AA survey, abnormal andrological clinical examination was found in one third of students, showing high percentage of varicocele (27.1%), testicular hypotrophy (14%) and phimosis (7.1%). Unprotected sex was quite common and heavy alcohol or drug use were associated with testicular hypotrophy.

Conclusions

Prevention program for sexual and reproductive male health are effective and needed.

References

1. Gianfrilli D. et al. Risk behaviours and alcohol in adolescence are negatively associated with testicular volume: results from the Amico-Andrologo survey. Andrology. 2019 Nov; 7(6):769-777.