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Taken from WWW.pubmed.gov (testosterone studies)
Sex Health. 2006 May;3(2):73-8.
A clinical update on female androgen insufficiency--testosterone testing
and treatment in women presenting with low sexual desire.
· Burger HG,
· Papalia MA.
The Jean Hailes Foundation, Clayton, Australia. henry.burger@princehenrys.org
The diagnosis of female androgen deficiency syndrome is suggested by complaints of a diminished
sense of well being, persistent unexplained fatigue and decreased sexual desire, sexual receptivity
and pleasure in a woman who is oestrogen-replete and in whom no other significant contributing
factors can be identified. The diagnosis is supported by the finding of low circulating concentrations
of free testosterone. Barriers to its recognition include the non-specificity of the symptoms and
methodological problems due to insensitive testosterone assays. Barriers to its treatment include the
unavailability of satisfactory forms of testosterone for administration to women and lack of data
regarding long-term safety. Although several conditions lead to clear-cut androgen deficiency, such
as hypopituitarism, adrenal and ovarian insufficiency, glucocorticoid therapy and use of oral
contraceptives and oral oestrogens, it is important for clinicians to recognise that in normal women,
androgen levels decline by 50% from
the early 20s to the mid 40s, and hence age-related androgen insufficiency may occur in women in their
late 30s and 40s, as well as postmenopausally. Satisfactory measurements of free testosterone requires
a sensitive and reliable assay for total testosterone, and quantitation of sex hormone binding globulin,
from which free testosterone is readily calculated. Adverse effects of testosterone treatment are few
if replacement is monitored to achieve physiological circulating testosterone concentrations. Currently,
available methods include testosterone implants and testosterone creams, and transdermal patches and
sprays are in development.
PMID: 16800391 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Dr. Gordon:
Although the authors of this study neglect to mention it, the injectable form of testosterone is the most
effective, most controllable, and has the least undesirable side effects.
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