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Mes3.6

Mesterolone (Proviron) Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

13 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Mostly mechanism / observational

Most Mesterolone (Proviron) studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.

Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1975–2012 with a typical study size of 46 participants.

Based on 13 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 10 RCTs · 46 total participants

Confidence

Moderate confidence

By outcome

Hormones & male vitalityA DHT-derived oral androgen (Proviron) with weak evidence for libido/subjective vitality; raises free testosterone via SHBG binding but does NOT improve fertility and is a prescription/doping androgen. · Weeks · A non-aromatizable exogenous androgen that binds SHBG to raise free testosterone; suppresses the HPG axis at higher doses with DHT-mediated androgenic effects. · Weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Fertility (largely negative)
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Safety profile
Too few graded studies1 study

Older research base

Newest study from 2012 · Latest meta-analysis: 2007

197519932012

1RCT1997

Jockenhövel F, Vogel E, Reinhardt W, Reinwein D · Eur J Med Res (1997)

2RCT1980

Luisi M, Franchi F · J Endocrinol Invest (1980)

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3RCT1991

Gerris J, Comhaire F, Hellemans P, Peeters K, Schoonjans F · Fertil Steril (1991)

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4RCT1999

Jockenhövel F, Bullmann C, Schubert M, Vogel E, Reinhardt W, Reinwein D · Metabolism (1999)

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5RCT1983

Aafjes JH, van der Vijver JC, Brugman FW, Schenck PE · Andrologia (1983)

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6RCT1975

Saletu B, Saletu M, Herrmann WM, Itil TM · Arzneimittelforschung (1975)

7RCT1976

Bock EL, Fülle HH, Heimpel H, Pribilla W · Med Klin (1976)

8RCT1987

Bhathena RK, Jassawalla MJ, Patel DN · Int J Fertil (1987)

9RCT1989

· Int J Androl (1989)

10Meta-Analysis2007

In plain English: There is not enough evidence to evaluate the use of androgens for male subfertility.

Vandekerckhove P, Lilford R, Vail A, Hughes E. · Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2007)

Cochrane systematic review of randomized trials of androgens — including mesterolone — vs placebo or no treatment for idiopathic oligo/asthenospermia
Eleven trials, 930 patients; for stimulatory androgen therapy (mesterolone, testosterone undecanoate) androgens had little effect on endocrine outcomes and sperm parameters
Pregnancy rate after stimulatory androgens vs placebo/no treatment was similar — odds ratio 1.10 (95% CI 0.75-1.61), crossing 1.0

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11RCTn=46 · small study1983

In plain English: Treatment with the placebo, mesterolone, pentoxifylline, and testosterone rebound therapy did not result in a significant increase in the mean sperm concentration or pregnancy in the partners.

Wang C, Chan CW, Wong KK, Yeung KK. · Fertil Steril (1983)

Randomized comparison of placebo, clomiphene, mesterolone (100 mg/day), pentoxifylline, and testosterone rebound therapy in 46 men with idiopathic oligospermia
Mesterolone — like placebo — did NOT significantly increase mean sperm concentration or partner pregnancy
Only clomiphene significantly raised sperm concentration, illustrating that mesterolone's stimulatory rationale did not pan out

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12Review2012

In plain English: In the presence of increased estrogen production symptoms... a short-term trial with non-aromatizable androgens (dihydrotestosterone mesterolone or oxandrolone) could be advisable. However, after a few months of therapy, switching to other aromatizable preparations is recommended, to prevent bone loss.

Corona G, Rastrelli G, Vignozzi L, Maggi M. · Expert Opin Emerg Drugs (2012)

Review of medications for male hypogonadism that situates mesterolone among non-aromatizable androgens
Notes mesterolone may be used short-term where estrogenic symptoms (gynecomastia/breast tenderness) are a concern, because it cannot aromatize
Cautions that because it is non-aromatizable, prolonged use risks bone loss — a switch to an aromatizable preparation is recommended

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13In Vitro1984

In plain English: 1 alpha-Methyl-5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (1 alpha-methyl-DHT; mesterolone) bound most avidly to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) [relative binding affinity about 4 times that of DHT].

Saartok T, Dahlberg E, Gustafsson JA. · Endocrinology (1984)

Receptor-binding study comparing anabolic-androgenic steroids' affinity for the androgen receptor in muscle and prostate and for SHBG
Mesterolone (1α-methyl-DHT) bound SHBG about four times more avidly than DHT — the mechanistic basis for its SHBG-displacement / free-testosterone effect
Its androgen-receptor binding in muscle and prostate was relatively weak (below testosterone), consistent with it being a weak anabolic

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View in Research Library

Mesterolone (Proviron) Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Effects of various modes of androgen substitution therapy on erythropoiesis.

Double-blind group comparative study of testosterone undecanoate and mesterolone in hypogonadal male patients.

Placebo-controlled trial of high-dose Mesterolone treatment of idiopathic male infertility.

Influence of various modes of androgen substitution on serum lipids and lipoproteins in hypogonadal men.

Double-blind cross over treatment with mesterolone and placebo of subfertile oligozoospermic men value of testicular biopsy.

Are hormones psychoactive? Evoked potential investigations in man.

[The effect of mesterolone in panmyelopathic anemia and anemia of renal failure].

The effects of mesterolone on sperm count in idiopathic oligospermia.

Mesterolone and idiopathic male infertility: a double-blind study. World Health Organization Task Force on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility.

WITHDRAWN: Androgens versus placebo or no treatment for idiopathic oligo/asthenospermia.

Comparison of the effectiveness of placebo, clomiphene citrate, mesterolone, pentoxifylline, and testosterone rebound therapy for the treatment of idiopathic oligospermia.

Emerging medication for the treatment of male hypogonadism.

Relative binding affinity of anabolic-androgenic steroids: comparison of the binding to the androgen receptors in skeletal muscle and in prostate, as well as to sex hormone-binding globulin.