Decreased testosterone in regularly menstruating women with decreased libido: a clinical observation.
Much more information is available concerning decreased libido in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women. Even less is known about androgen deficiency in younger women. We measured total and free testosterone levels in 12 consecutive premenopausal women complaining of decreased libido. Of the 12 women, 8 had low or immeasurable levels of testosterone despite having regular menstrual periods. Androgen precursor hormones, DHEA-S and Androstenedione, were low-normal to high-normal. Treatment with oral DHEA, 50 to 100 mg per day, restored sexual desire in 6 of the 8 women, gave partial improvement in one, and failed in another. Possible significance and etiological mechanism are discussed.
Guay
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Center For Sexual Function, Lahey Clinic Northshore, One Essex Center Drive, Peabody, MA 01960, USA.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008598:Menstruation / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D010507:Periodicity; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone