Androgen Treatment in Women: A Review of Testosterone Therapy and Its Effects

The document from 2006 reviewed the use of testosterone therapy in women, particularly those with menopause, and its biological effects on tissues such as bone, skin, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands. It summarized findings from randomized controlled trials that showed testosterone therapy could improve sexual function, mood, and bone mineral density in women with androgen insufficiency. Specific studies included a 24-week trial with 447 surgically menopausal women that found testosterone patches increased sexual desire and activity, a study with 33 young women with anorexia nervosa that showed improvements in depressive symptoms and cognition, and a 2-year study with 65 osteoporotic elderly women that found nandrolone decanoate reduced fracture rates and increased bone density and muscle mass. Despite these benefits, the review noted adverse effects like hirsutism and acne, and the need for long-term safety evaluations, as the long-term cardiovascular effects and safety of testosterone therapy in women remain unknown. The document concluded that while testosterone therapy may be beneficial for women with androgen deficiency, more research is needed to assess long-term safety and to maintain testosterone levels within the normal range.