title: Clinical evaluation of women presenting with low libido and determination of whether androgen therapy might be appropriate.
abstract: The assessment of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is often challenging in the clinical setting. Although androgen deficiency is regarded as a major cause for FSD, the causes of this condition are multifactorial. Women presenting with FSD require thorough clinical evaluation to determine the cause of FSD. Androgen therapy should be used in women only when clinical and biochemical parameters indicate that FSD stems from androgen deficiency. This review outlines the various causes of FSD, clinical and biochemical investigations required to diagnose androgen deficiency, and options for treatment of the woman found to have androgen deficiency as a cause of FSD.
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Program, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran, Victoria 3181, Australia. mary-anne.papalia@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: Mary-Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Papalia
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Burger
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects*; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013739:Testosterone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D009652:Norpregnenes; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; C027385:tibolone