The Therapeutic Use of Androgens in Women

The document from 1999 explores the use of androgens as a therapeutic option for women, particularly for those with androgen deficiency symptoms such as reduced sexual desire, decreased well-being, and negative impacts on bone mass. It suggests that androgen replacement therapy, including testosterone and nandrolone decanoate, can be effective in alleviating these symptoms and is safe when kept within the therapeutic window to avoid virilizing side effects. The decline in androgens is associated with aging and not just menopause, and can also result from surgical menopause, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and certain medications. The paper indicates that androgen replacement could be beneficial for conditions like low libido after menopause, premature ovarian failure, and postmenopausal osteoporosis. It also notes that while estrogen replacement can improve some menopausal symptoms, it does not significantly affect libido, which may be improved with testosterone supplementation. The document acknowledges potential risks of testosterone replacement but suggests that maintaining hormone levels within the normal range minimizes these risks. It concludes that testosterone replacement can enhance sexual motivation and potentially benefit bone mass in postmenopausal women, but emphasizes the need for more research to confirm the long-term safety and efficacy of these therapies.