Androgen Treatment of Postmenopausal Women

The document from 2014 reviews the effectiveness and safety of testosterone therapy for treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in postmenopausal women. It reports that randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the therapy's efficacy in improving sexual desire and other aspects of sexual function, as well as potential benefits for bone mineral density, body composition, and cognitive performance. Testosterone levels decline with age, and therapy aims to achieve levels similar to those in young premenopausal women, with rare side effects at physiological doses. The document notes that there is no approved testosterone product for women, leading to off-label prescribing and safety concerns. It also mentions that testosterone therapy may be justified for women with HSDD and those with a pathological loss of androgen production, but treatment should not be based solely on testosterone levels. The document concludes with a caution against using testosterone products formulated for men and compounded testosterone products, and it discloses Dr. Susan Davis's ties to pharmaceutical companies.