Studysummary This review discusses the role of androgens in menopausal women's health, highlighting symptoms of both hyperandrogenemia and androgen deficiency, but reports no clinical results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
During the menopausal period, women experience a relative increase in androgen levels due to a significant decrease in estrogens and an increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). This hormonal shift can lead to symptoms of both hyperandrogenemia, such as facial hair growth and scalp hair loss, and androgen deficiency. The latter may manifest as hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction (HSDD), which is the only evidence-based indication for testosterone treatment in women. However, the response of tissues to androgens depends on their ability to regulate androgen availability. Additionally, the aging of ovarian and adrenal glands contributes to a decline in androgen levels, potentially affecting the quality of life. It is important to rule out other diseases before treating HSDD to ensure it is a direct result of androgen deficiency.
251 citations
,
October 2014 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” The guidelines advise against using testosterone and DHEA in women for most conditions due to safety and effectiveness concerns, but suggest considering testosterone for postmenopausal women with low sexual desire.
84 citations
,
September 2014 in “European journal of endocrinology” This review examines the causes and characteristics of androgen excess in postmenopausal women, but reports no new clinical results; the authors emphasize challenges in diagnosis and potential long-term health impacts.
63 citations
,
March 2011 in “Clinical Endocrinology” This review examines the evaluation and management of hirsutism and hyperandrogenism in postmenopausal women and reports no new clinical findings.
59 citations
,
August 2004 in “Human Reproduction Update” This article discusses the challenges in diagnosing female androgen insufficiency syndrome due to unreliable testosterone measurement methods but notes symptom improvement with testosterone therapy, emphasizing the need for women-specific formulations and safety guidelines.
515 citations
,
April 2003 in “Endocrine Reviews” This review discusses hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women, emphasizing DHEA's unique ability to convert into sex steroids only in targeted tissues, and reports no new clinical results.
