title: Safety and adverse effects of androgens: how to counsel patients.
abstract: Recently, interest has grown in the use of androgen replacement therapy for postmenopausal women. Androgen replacement in women improves libido, bone density, and body composition. The adverse effects, like hirsutism, are generally mild, and the safety profile of transdermal testosterone replacement is more favorable than that of other modes of androgen therapy. Further studies may help to determine the effect of lipid changes on cardiac outcomes. We believe that long-term studies are necessary to observe the potential effect of androgen replacement on cardiovascular mortality, breast and endometrial tissues, and mood and anger before this therapy can be used routinely in women.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 E Monument St, Suite 333, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Shehzad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basaria
authors.forename: Adrian S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dobs
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000139:chemically induced; D000728:Androgens / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D000075202:Contraindications; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000139:chemically induced; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D018579:Patient Selection; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014770:Virilism / Q000139:chemically induced; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens