Within 1 month of receiving clomiphene citrate, overweight men experienced a significant increase in total testosterone, from 306 ng/dL to 663 ng/dL (P<.001), and in bioavailable testosterone, from 187 ng/dL to 486 ng/dL (P<.002). Increases were also substantial among obese men, deemed as those having a BMI greater than 30; total testosterone increased from 237 ng/dL to 577 ng/dL and bioavailable testosterone from 155 ng/dL to 371 ng/dL (P<.001 for both). The improved testosterone levels remained significantly elevated for the duration of the study, the researchers said.

The prospective, observational, cohort study included 20 overweight and obese men (mean age, 33 years). All hypogonadal men were started on clomiphene citrate. Total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were recorded at baseline and measured at 1, 3 and 5 months during therapy.

Results also showed no significant increase in PSA levels after 3 months of clomiphene citrate therapy (P=.17).

“Subfertile men who are overweight or obese can benefit from treatment with clomiphene citrate in order to increase testosterone levels and potentially improve semen parameters,” the researchers concluded.