title: [Female androgen insufficiency and potential risks of therapeutic replacement].
abstract: Women in their fourth decade and older experience a decrease in androgen serum levels. This may lead to the clinical syndrome of female androgen insufficiency expressed by insidious tiredness, diminished sense of well-being and libido, alterations in body composition and bone loss. If there is a past history of bilateral oophorectomy, hypopituitarism, androgen adrenal suppression and/or free testosterone serum levels are low, it is probable that these signs and symptoms could be relieved by a discerning androgen administration, which has been largely accepted. When current recommended doses are used, it appears that the benefits regarding bone mass, sexuality and well-being may be achieved without important signs of masculinizing. Nonetheless, it is necessary to conduct well-controlled, long-term studies, in order to validate the hypothesis that therapeutic administration of androgens to women does not lead to an increased incidence of breast cancer or metabolic complications.
authors.affiliation: Clementino Fraga Filho (HUCFF), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. lenora_leao@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Lenora M C S M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Leão
authors.forename: Mônica P C
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Maria Lucia F
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Farias
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone