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.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
P R
PR
Casson
S A
SA
Carson
J E
JE
Buster
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