title: Androgen treatment of postmenopausal women.
abstract: Testosterone is physiologically important for women. Serum testosterone levels decline with age, with the most precipitous fall being prior to menopause. There is no level of testosterone which defines a woman as being testosterone deficient. However, there is substantial high quality evidence to support the use of testosterone for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women. Although preliminary data suggests testosterone has favorable effects on bone and muscle mass, cognitive function and the cardiovascular system, further research regarding its therapeutic effects in these domains is warranted. As no testosterone product has been approved for women there is extensive off-label prescribing of testosterone products for women as well as the prescription of compounded therapy. This raises serious safety concerns and together with the evidence for the negative impact of FSD on quality of life, highlights the need for an approved testosterone formulation for women. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Menopause'.
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia. Electronic address: susan.davis@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Susan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
authors.forename: Roisin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Worsley
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy; D013739:Testosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone
keywords: Androgens; Hypoactive sexual desire disorder; Postmenopausal women; Sexual dysfunction