Testosterone Therapy for Women: Still Many Questions to be Answered - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Testosterone Therapy for Women: Still Many Questions to be Answered |

In recent years, the biological role of androgens in the female organism has aroused increasing interest. Women in the reproductive period and after menopause produce androgens that contribute to ovarian function, sexual function, bone metabolism, cognition, among other actions. Despite the evidence of involvement of its excess in reproductive health disorders, studies on its deficiency have increased.

Androgen levels in the female body vary with age. In addition to peripheral conversion mechanisms, ovaries and adrenals are responsible for the production and maintenance of circulating androgenic levels. After a peak at between 18 and 24 years of age, a slow decline begins during the reproductive period, around 30 years of age, and at 70–80 years of age, serum levels of androgens will represent 10 to 20% of levels found at the age of 30. In this process, menopause by itself does not represent a moment of accentuated androgenic decline.

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