Androgens in postmenopausal women

Key content Androgen therapy can improve sexual wellbeing, libido and sexual arousal in postmenopausal women through its effect on the central nervous system. Testosterone levels gradually decline throughout a woman ’s lifespan and testosterone therapy may be useful for menopausal women with sexual dysfunction, in whom estrogen therapy alone has been ineffective.Learning objectives To understand the physiology and the potential impact of changes in testosterone levels in postmenopausal women. To be aware of the potential role of androgen therapy in postmenopausal women with low sexual desire causing distress. To review the available evidence behind the use of androgen therapy for female sexual dysfunction in the menopause.Ethical issues More women are spending a greater proportion of their lives in the postmenopausal period, so it is important to gain a greater understanding of the role of testosterone replacement after the menopause in improving sexual dysfunction. Off-label use of testosterone gels and creams is common; when prescribing these, clinicians must inform women of the potential benefits and risks as well as the fact that long-term safety data is still lacking.
Source: The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist - Category: OBGYN Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research