Anabolic steroids purchased on the Internet as a cause of prolonged hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Objective: To report a case of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to the chronic abuse of anabolic steroids purchased over the Internet. Design: Case report. Setting: Endocrinology unit of the University of Brescia. Patient(s): A 34-year-old man. Intervention(s): A single dose (100 mg) of triptorelin (triptorelin test). Main Outcome Measure(s): Clinical symptoms, androgen normalization, levels of serum testosterone, folliclestimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Result(s): Within 1 month, the patient’s serum testosterone was in the normal range, and he reported a return to normal energy and libido. Conclusion(s): The World Anti-Doping Code has proved to be a very powerful and effective tool in the harmonization of antidoping efforts worldwide, but it is insufficient to combat this illegal phenomenon. To tackle the serious side effects caused by doping we believe that it is necessary to increase monitoring and adopt severe sanctions, particularly with regard to Internet sites. (Fertil Steril 2010;94:2331.e1–e3. 2010 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.) Key Words: Anabolic steroids, doping, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, triptorelin