Testosterone delivery systems for women: present status and future promise.
In women, testosterone (T) is increasingly recognized as a steroid with multiple non-reproductive effects. Testosterone deficiency in menopausal women is more common than appreciated, particularly in patients on hormone replacement or with surgical menopause. Replacement of T is an established therapy for male hypogonadism, and as a result innovative new delivery systems have evolved to optimize physiologic delivery. However, in women, modalities of T replacement remain underdeveloped and at present provide artificial and/or supraphysiologic androgen levels. This review discusses the androgen replacement modalities presently available for women, and those being developed for future use.
Casson
P R
PR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Carson
S A
SA
Buster
J E
JE
D000328:Adult; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000639:trends*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013739:Testosterone