Hormone Replacement Therapy for Restoring the HPG Axis in Pain Patients Treated with Long-Term Opioid Analgesics

Opioids are a treatment option for a variety of chronic pain conditions. But long-term opioid use can be associated with side effects, including hypogonadism. Opioid-induced hypogonadism (OIhG) is associated with the alteration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG). In males, hypogonadism can result in erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, fatigue, worsening mood, and increased risk of osteoporosis; in females, it can result in changes in the menstrual cycle and reduced libido, among other effects. A current treatment option for these patients is hormone replacement therapy. In this report, we discuss the problem of opioid-induced hypogonadism, and the therapeutic approach and the potential complications of treating pain patients using hormone replacement therapy.