Hormonal Balance
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Male Hormones for Women?
Testosterone, known as an “androgen” or “male” hormone,
has important functions in women. Testosterone is produced
naturally by the ovaries and the adrenal glands and is
important in women's health before and after menopause. In
menopause, the ovaries stop making estrogen, but there’s
good evidence to show that both the ovaries and adrenal
glands continue making androgen hormones throughout a
women’s life.
Women who have had surgical removal of the ovaries are said
to have “surgical menopause.” These women may experience
symptoms from low testosterone such as decreased sexual
desire. Testosterone replacement may help improve sexual
desire in these women.
Among experts, the use of testosterone in menopausal women
is considered very controversial. In late 2004, the Advisory
Board of the FDA met to review the scientific data from clinical
trials of testosterone replacement in women. Although the
panel felt that testosterone may be efficacious in women who
have had surgical removal of the ovaries, the panel did not
approve its use because of safety concerns, most notably the
increased risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Other side effects of testosterone therapy include deepening
of the voice, development of facial hair and acne.
In men, low testosterone is the number one risk factor of male
osteoporosis. There has also been some belief that
testosterone has a beneficial effect on improving bone
strength in women; however, this has not proven to be true.
The benefits of testosterone on bone in both men and women
are the result of conversion of testosterone to the hormone,
estrogen.
Testosterone, known as an “androgen” or “male” hormone,
has important functions in women. Testosterone is produced
naturally by the ovaries and the adrenal glands and is
important in women's health before and after menopause. In
menopause, the ovaries stop making estrogen, but there’s
good evidence to show that both the ovaries and adrenal
glands continue making androgen hormones throughout a
women’s life.
Women who have had surgical removal of the ovaries are said
to have “surgical menopause.” These women may experience
symptoms from low testosterone such as decreased sexual
desire. Testosterone replacement may help improve sexual
desire in these women.
Among experts, the use of testosterone in menopausal women
is considered very controversial. In late 2004, the Advisory
Board of the FDA met to review the scientific data from clinical
trials of testosterone replacement in women. Although the
panel felt that testosterone may be efficacious in women who
have had surgical removal of the ovaries, the panel did not
approve its use because of safety concerns, most notably the
increased risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Other side effects of testosterone therapy include deepening
of the voice, development of facial hair and acne.
In men, low testosterone is the number one risk factor of male
osteoporosis. There has also been some belief that
testosterone has a beneficial effect on improving bone
strength in women; however, this has not proven to be true.
The benefits of testosterone on bone in both men and women
are the result of conversion of testosterone to the hormone,
estrogen.
