The  Role  of  Androgens  After  Menopause

 

" Women can suffer a seriously poor quality of life as a consequence of testosterone deficiency.   We owe it to our patients to know the options for---and cautions with regard to---supplementing testosterone, so that we can help them to make informed choices. "

Androgen replacement therapy has been  a  neglected  area of medical practice.  Further investigation is needed to identify  all women who may benefit from it.

Susan Rako, M.D.  is a Boston psychiatrist in private practice & a consultant / lecturer on the subject of testosterone deficiency & supplementation for women.  

She is also the author of The Hormone of Desire:  The Truth About Menopause, Sexuality, &  Testosterone.

 

***After menopause, women lose  not  only a significant portion of their ovarian production of estrogen & testosterone, but also a significant portion of their adrenal androgens, including testosterone.

***Testosterone supplementation within the physiological range does  not  produce  virilizing  side effects.  ( 0.25 mg  to  0.8  mg  per day ).

***A prudent goal for supplemental testosterone therapy is the concept of keeping blood levels within a physiological range.  Monitoring of liver function tests is recommended every  6  to  12  months.

***Warnings about the potential liver toxicity of oral methyltestosterone have been based on case reports in which the daily oral dosage ranged  from  20  mg  to  150  mg.  These dosages grossly exceed any recommended supplemental dosage for women.

***A recent  2 - year study of women receiving  2.5  mg  of oral methyltestosterone  ( 3  to  10  times the recommended dose range of  0.25  mg  to  0.8  mg )  revealed  no  clinically significan changes in liver function tests.

 

email:   hbo@ehyperbaric.com

Call  Tel. (714) 8 8 5 - 8 9 8 0  for an appointment