Androgen Supplementation in Older Women: Too Much Hype, Not Enough Data: Part 2
INTRODUCTION:
That testosterone supplementation might improve some aspects of cognitive and sexual functions, muscle mass and strength, bone mineral density and sense of well-being is not in question. It is, however, not known whether physiologic testosterone replacement can induce clinically meaningful improvements in health-related outcomes in older women without the limiting, virilizing side effects.
It has been assumed that testosterone dose-response relationships are different in women than in men, and that clinically significant effects on psycho-sexual function, body composition, physical function, bone mineral density and other health-related outcomes can be achieved at testosterone doses and concentrations that are substantially lower than those required to produce similar effects in men. Neither of these assumptions has been tested rigorously.
Furthermore, the premise that the organ systems that are the targets of virilizing side effects, such as the skin, hair, vocal cords, and clitoris, differ in their testosterone sensitivity from muscle and bone remains unsubstantiated.
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